Cyprus recorded steep declines in irregular migrant arrivals and asylum applications in 2025, according to the annual report presented Monday by Deputy Minister for Migration and International Protection Nikolas Ioannidis.
Ioannidis said the government’s strategy aims to build “a fair, effective and modern migration‑management system” designed to protect social cohesion and support economic growth. “The goal is to turn migration from a problem into a solution,” he said, presenting the ministry’s year‑end review.
Irregular Arrivals Down 86%
According to ministry data, irregular arrivals fell 86 percent compared with 2022, while new asylum applications dropped 87 percent. The deputy minister attributed the decline to tighter border surveillance, faster asylum processing and outreach campaigns in countries of origin. The report states that Cyprus “managed to become a non‑attractive destination for irregular migration”.
Pending asylum cases also fell 34 percent from 2024.
Record Returns
Cyprus recorded 12,029 returns of third‑country nationals in 2025 — the highest annual figure to date. Since the start of the current administration, 31,312 people have departed the country, with 70 percent using EU‑funded voluntary‑return programs.
The European Commission noted Cyprus’ performance in its first annual asylum and migration report, saying the country issued the most return decisions in the EU relative to population and GDP between July 2024 and June 2025.
Focus on Syrian Nationals
Syrians remain the largest group of asylum seekers. The ministry reported 4,081 voluntary returns to Syria in 2025 and said 600 of the 800 asylum applications submitted that year were rejected. Ioannidis said the government has also begun withdrawing protection status from individuals who no longer meet eligibility criteria.
Infrastructure and EU Pact Preparation
The deputy minister said 2025 was a key year for aligning Cyprus with the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum. Measures included redesignating the Pournara facility as a screening and identification center, digitizing asylum files and drafting a national emergency plan.
Upgrades to Pournara are nearing completion, while construction continues on a new 1,000‑person reception center at Limnes. A pre‑departure center with capacity for 800 people has partially opened.
Legal Migration and Digital Reforms
At the end of 2025, Cyprus had 184,745 valid residence permits, most linked to domestic work and labor‑market needs. International‑protection permits represented the smallest and only declining category.
The ministry advanced several digital reforms, including online renewals for residence permits, integration of migration services into the gov.cy portal and development of new information systems such as EES and ETIAS.
Integration Strategy
Ioannidis highlighted the country’s first national integration strategy for legally residing migrants, focusing on language learning, skills development and social inclusion. Funding has been secured from Switzerland and additional EU sources.
Outlook for 2026
The deputy minister said 2026 will be a demanding year, with priorities including implementation of the EU Pact, completion of major infrastructure projects and further strengthening of migration‑management systems.