The European Commission recognizes Cyprus as one of the four EU member states facing migratory pressure, alongside Greece, Spain, and Italy. This recognition is based on the first Annual Asylum and Migration Report for 2025, presented in Brussels by Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner late Tuesday on afternoon. The report analyzes migration flows and the pressures faced by member states during the period from July 2024 to June 2025.
Cyprus, despite a 10.6% decrease in irregular border crossings (IBCs) in the Eastern Mediterranean region compared to the previous period, remains under disproportionate pressure relative to its size, it is noted. According to the report, nearly 3,000 IBCs were recorded, placing Cyprus third in the EU in terms of irregular entries per GDP and population.
The main entry routes remain Turkey and Libya, with increased arrivals observed in Crete and the eastern coasts of Cyprus. The report states that the reduction in departures from Syria and Lebanon is primarily due to the fall of the Assad regime and enhanced cooperation with Lebanese authorities.
Regarding applications for international protection, Cyprus received over 5,000 asylum applications, ranking it high in the EU in terms of applications per GDP and population. According to the EU Commission, this places 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.
With regard to temporary protection, the latest data from the EU executive shows that Cyprus hosts over 3,500 beneficiaries of temporary protection, mainly Ukrainians, a number that is also high relative to the country’s GDP and population. This creates additional challenges for the integration of temporary protection beneficiaries, particularly in areas such as housing, education, and access to the labor market. The report emphasizes that Cyprus, along with the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Estonia, has a high number of temporary protection beneficiaries per GDP and population, without explicitly referring to a 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 is fully implemented. The Solidarity Pool will provide support through the relocation of asylum seekers to other EU countries, thereby reducing pressure on the national system. Additionally, Cyprus will be able to receive financial support for reception infrastructure, improving living conditions, and accelerating asylum and return procedures. Finally, in terms of technical assistance, Cyprus will be able to strengthen its borders and receive material support to combat migrant smuggling networks.
Commissioner Brunner also announced a pound 250 million public tender for the purchase of drone and anti-drone systems, aimed at addressing hybrid threats, including illegal migration activities. This funding is expected to enhance border surveillance, particularly in areas with increased migrant smuggling activity.
The report does not provide extensive country-specific recommendations exclusively for Cyprus, but the references are integrated into the broader analysis framework for all member states under migratory pressure. In this context, the report highlights that ensuring adequate reception capacity and conditions is crucial for the effective functioning of the asylum and migration system.
Within this same framework, the report discusses the need to improve reception infrastructure and increase capacity to avoid overcrowding, accelerate asylum and return procedures to reduce delays, and manage applications more effectively. Additionally, within this general framework for member states, there is a reference to the need to strengthen cooperation with third countries, such as Turkey and Lebanon, to combat smuggling networks and promote legal migration routes, as well as improve integration programs, particularly for women and children, with a focus on education and access to the labor market.