How do I plan and prepare to start a business in Cyprus?

Before starting, you should develop a business plan that works as both a company manual and a tool for accessing financing, supported by market research to identify consumer needs and financial models covering revenue streams, costs and cash flows. You should also prepare a marketing strategy before running any promotional activities. Several bodies can help, including the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry and its regional chambers (Nicosia, Limassol, Pafos, Famagusta, Larnaka), the Statistical Service for official market data, and the Cyprus Investment Promotion Agency (CIPA) for foreign investment support. If you collect customers' personal data you must comply with privacy rules overseen by the Office of the Commissioner for Personal Data Protection, and GDPR applies if your business is established in an EU member state, offers goods or services in any EU market, or has a website targeting EU customers. For current requirements, the official businessincyprus.gov.cy page is authoritative.