The development of international trade has increased the issue of double taxation and many countries have entered into agreements with other countries in order to limit taxation. A double taxation treaty enables the offsetting of tax paid in one country against the tax payable in another thus preventing double taxation although the rates and exemptions vary from one country to another. As of January 2010 Cyprus had entered into 45 double taxation agreements, these are listed in the table below. Although Cyprus has fewer DTT’s than some competing EU jurisdictions they are, in many cases, more beneficial such as those with Russia, Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

A significant number of double tax treaties concluded by Cyprus lowers and in some cases eliminates, foreign withholding taxes on dividends, interest, royalties or capital gains. Tax sparing credits (see below) are also prevalent in some jurisdictions.

A list of Double Taxation Agreements which have been concluded and their respective date of enforcement can be found below.