HE32 Annual Return Cyprus: Deadline, Process & Fees [2026]

The HE32 is Cyprus's mandatory annual return, filed with the Department of Registrar of Companies. Every active Cyprus company must file it by 31 March of the second year following its financial year end, accompanied by audited financial statements. For FY2024, that means 31 March 2026. Missing this deadline triggers Registrar fines and ultimately risks company strike-off.

Every Cyprus company must file an HE32 Annual Return within 28 days of its annual general meeting, listing all shareholders and directors — failure carries a €50 default fine plus €1/day.

What Is the HE32?

The HE32 is a statutory snapshot of your company filed annually via Ariadni at efiling.drcip.gov.cy. It confirms to the Registrar of Companies that your company's information — directors, shareholders, registered address, and share capital — is accurate and up to date. It also attaches the company's audited financial statements for the financial year.

The HE32 is a company law obligation under Cyprus Companies Law Cap 113, not a tax obligation. It is distinct from the annual tax return (TD4), even though both share the same 31 March J+2 deadline.

The HE32 Deadline: Examples

The deadline is commonly described as "15 months after the financial year end" — which gives 31 March for a December year-end company.

What the HE32 Contains

The HE32 requires up-to-date information in five areas:

1. Company Identification

• Registered company name (as on the Certificate of Incorporation)
• HE registration number
• Registered address (must be a physical Cyprus address)

2. Directors and Company Secretary

For each director and the company secretary:

• Full legal name
• Date of birth
• Nationality
• Residential address (not a PO box)
• Date of appointment
• Date of resignation (if applicable)

3. Shareholders

For each shareholder:

• Full legal name (or company name if a corporate shareholder)
• Residential or registered address
• Number and class of shares held
• Percentage of total share capital

4. Share Capital

• Authorised share capital (total amount the company is authorised to issue)
• Issued share capital (amount actually issued)
• Paid-up capital (amount paid by shareholders)

5. Audited Financial Statements

The most important attachment. The accounts must:

• Be prepared in compliance with IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards)
• Be signed by an ICPAC-registered statutory auditor
• Cover the full financial year (typically January to December)
• Include: balance sheet, income statement, cash flow statement, notes to the accounts

The HE32 Filing Timeline

The stated deadline is 31 March J+2, but the practical timeline starts much earlier:

Critical warning: Most Cyprus accountants and auditors are at maximum capacity in February and March. If you provide your documents to your auditor in late February, they may not be able to complete the audit before 31 March. Engage your auditor in January and provide complete documents by early February.

What Documents to Prepare for Your Auditor

To enable the audit and HE32 completion, prepare these documents starting in January:

Banking:

• All company bank statements (January to December, every month)
• If multiple accounts or currencies, all accounts

Revenue:

• All sales invoices issued during the year
• Proof of payments received (bank entries matched to invoices)

Expenses:

• All purchase invoices and receipts
• Proof of payments made (bank entries matched to invoices)

Dividends:

• Board resolutions for each dividend payment
• Bank transfer records for each dividend payment
• TD603 submission confirmations and GESY payment receipts

Employees (if any):

• Monthly TF7 declarations
• Payslips and payroll summaries
• Social Insurance payment confirmations

Assets:

• List of assets purchased or disposed of during the year
• Contracts for significant purchases

For a full document checklist, see our accountant documents checklist.

HE32 Filing Fees

The Registrar fee for filing HE32 is approximately €20 to €50 depending on the company type and submission method. Online filing via Ariadni is at the lower end of this range.

This Registrar fee is separate from accountant and auditor fees, which typically range from €1,500 to €5,000+ per year depending on the complexity of the accounts and the firm engaged. See our full guide to annual costs of running a Cyprus company.

What Happens If HE32 Is Late

Failing to file HE32 by 31 March triggers escalating consequences:

1. Registrar fines — Initial financial penalty applied
2. Strike-off notice — If non-compliance persists, DRCIP issues a strike-off notice
3. Company struck off — The company is removed from the register, making it non-existent legally
4. Restoration — Reinstating a struck-off company requires a court application, legal fees, and all outstanding filings — typically costing thousands of euros

Cyprus companies that have been struck off cannot legally operate, enter contracts, or hold bank accounts. Prevention is far cheaper than restoration.

HE32 vs. TD4: Understanding Both 31 March Deadlines

Both HE32 and the company tax return (TD4) have 31 March J+2 deadlines, but they are completely different filings:

In practice, your accountant-auditor handles both simultaneously since both require the audited financial statements. Ask your accountant specifically to confirm both filings are completed.

The HE32 requires a licensed ICPAC auditor — this cannot be done without professional help. Browse certified accountants and auditors in Cyprus to find a firm that handles the full annual compliance package.