The law on refugees is changing in its entirety, since today the Council of Ministers approved a bill by which Cyprus is fully harmonized with the European Pact on Migration and Asylum, which is binding and must be implemented on 12/6/2026.
The relevant bill is signed by the Minister of Justice and the Deputy Minister of Migration and as he states, the European Pact aims to form a coherent and effective framework for the management of migration flows, the strengthening of the common European asylum policy and the balanced distribution of responsibilities between member states.
The bill introduces new regulations aimed at strengthening the operational capacity of the Republic of Cyprus to deal with migratory pressures and simplifying and accelerating asylum procedures. In particular, the procedure for the control and screening of third-country nationals within a Screening, Reception and Identification Control Centre is institutionalized, with the aim of more effective border surveillance and the prevention of risks that may affect the internal security and public order of the Republic of Cyprus.
Furthermore, it provides for the prioritization of the examination of applications for international protection, the establishment of a detailed procedure for the service of decisions of the Asylum Service of the Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection and the introduction of an asylum procedure at the borders, with the aim of faster processing of applications for international protection, as well as the faster processing of return procedures.
The bill also emphasizes the creation of appropriate reception conditions for applicants for international protection, which are in line with the international and European obligations of the Republic of Cyprus. In addition, new provisions are introduced that give the legal tools to the Republic of Cyprus to deal with crisis situations and force majeure, to ensure the proper functioning of the national asylum system.
At the same time, there are special provisions for vulnerable people, such as persons with disabilities, minors, unaccompanied minors, and the living conditions of asylum seekers are determined, how their applications are examined and the procedures for their return to their countries of origin are institutionalized. Also, for the first time, there is a procedure for examining asylum applications at airports, so that decisions can be made immediately.
After the approval of the bill by the Council of Ministers as well as the annexes, they will be submitted to the Parliament, so that we can catch up with the June timetable.
