Illegal migration to Cyprus has decreased by 86%

Over the past three years, the number of illegal arrivals in the Republic of Cyprus has decreased by 86%. This was stated by Deputy Minister of Migration and International Protection Nikos Ioannidis at a meeting of the parliamentary committee on internal affairs.

According to him, if two years ago there were about 24,000 asylum applications under review, now fewer than 13,500 remain.

In 2025, 12,029 foreign nationals left the island, with five people leaving the country for every one who arrived. In the first half of 2026, the number of illegal arrivals was 92% lower than in 2022. Since the current government took office, about 35,000 third-country nationals have left Cyprus.

Ioannidis also said that there are currently about 200,000 foreign nationals living in the country with valid residence permits and about 30,000 holders of refugee status or other international protection.

According to the official, the authorities continue to strengthen control along the “Green Line,” expand voluntary return programs for migrants, and speed up the digitization of migration procedures. In addition, after the modernization of the “Pournara” migrant reception center and the construction of new facilities, deportation capacity has increased significantly.

Particular attention is being paid to Syrian nationals. More than 5,200 Syrians have already voluntarily given up their protection status or withdrawn their asylum applications, the majority of them returning home. Another nearly 2,000 applications were rejected.