Returns of third‑country nationals living illegally in Cyprus rose 53% over the past three years, while arrivals fell sharply, according to police data published Saturday.
Police said 11,500 people were returned in 2025 through operations carried out by the Aliens and Immigration Service. In 2022, voluntary and forced returns totaled 7,506.
Returns reached 9,699 in 2023 and 10,092 in 2024, police said. Officers also took part in 19 Frontex return operations this year, during which more than 150 people were repatriated.
Irregular migrant arrivals dropped to 2,400 in 2025, down from 17,434 in 2022 — an 86% decrease over three years. Arrivals fell to 10,994 in 2023 and 6,109 in 2024 before declining again this year.