Filenews 11 November 2025
The Commission recognizes Cyprus as one of the four EU member states facing migratory pressure, along with Greece, Spain and Italy. This recognition is based on the European Commission's first Annual Report on Asylum and Migration 2025, which was presented in Brussels by Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner. The report analyses the migration flows and pressures faced by Member States during the period July 2024 – June 2025.
Cyprus, despite a 10.6% decrease in entry irregularities (IBCs) in the Eastern Mediterranean region compared to the previous period, remains under disproportionate pressure in relation to its size. Specifically, according to the report, almost 3,000 IBCs were registered, a number that places Cyprus third in the EU in entry irregularities per GDP and population.
The main entry routes remain Turkey and Libya, while increased arrivals are observed in Crete and the eastern coast of Cyprus. According to the report, the decrease in departures from Syria and Lebanon is mainly due to the fall of the Assad regime and enhanced cooperation with the Lebanese authorities.
In terms of asylum applications for international protection, Cyprus received over 5,000 applications, putting the country high in the EU in terms of applications per GDP and population. According to the Commission, this creates additional pressure on the asylum and reception system, particularly in combination with the increase in applications from asylum seekers from Africa and the Middle East, as well as the high proportion of unaccompanied minors, mainly from Egypt, Syria and Afghanistan.
Regarding temporary protection, the latest Commission data show Cyprus hosting over 3,500 people under temporary protection, mainly Ukrainians, a number that is also high in relation to the country's GDP and population. This, according to the Commission, creates additional challenges in terms of the integration of beneficiaries of temporary protection, particularly in areas such as housing, education and access to the labour market. The report highlights that Cyprus, Czechia, Slovakia and Estonia have a high number of beneficiaries of temporary protection per GDP and population, without explicitly mentioning ranking per capita.
According to the Commission, Cyprus, along with Greece, Spain and Italy, will have access to the Solidarity pool from mid-2026, when the New Pact on Migration and Asylum will be fully implemented. The Fund will provide support through the movement of asylum seekers to other EU countries, thus reducing the pressure on the national system. In addition, it will be able to receive financial support for reception infrastructure, the improvement of living conditions and the acceleration of asylum and return procedures. Finally, in terms of technical assistance, it will be able to strengthen its borders and have logistical assistance to combat migrant smuggling networks.
The Commission also announced the issuance of a €250 million public tender for the purchase of drone and antidrone systems, with the aim of countering hybrid threats, including illegal migration activity. In addition, this funding is expected to strengthen border surveillance, especially in areas where there is increased migrant smuggling activity.
The report does not proceed to extensive country-specific recommendations exclusively for Cyprus, but the reports are part of the analysis for all member states under migratory pressure. In this context, the report points out that ensuring sufficient capacity and adequate reception conditions is crucial for the effective functioning of the asylum and migration system.
In the same context, there is talk of improving reception infrastructure and increasing capacity to avoid overcrowding, speeding up asylum and return procedures, with the aim of reducing delays and managing applications more efficiently. In addition, in the same general framework for member states, reference is made to the need to strengthen cooperation with third countries, such as Turkey and Lebanon, to combat smuggling networks and promote legal migration routes, but also to improve integration programs, especially for women and children, with an emphasis on education and access to the labour market.
CNA
