Cyprus is recording improvements in migrants’ access to healthcare and integration services, according to a European Commission statement published on Thursday, which is based on the 2024 Asylum Information Database (AIDA) report.
According to the report, beneficiaries of international protection in Cyprus now have access to the General Healthcare System (GESY), receiving services from general practitioners and specialists under the same conditions as citizens and EU nationals. At the same time, beneficiaries of temporary protection receive a one-off financial allowance and immediate access to employment and education, allowing adults to enter the labour market and children to attend school without delay.
The report noted that at the end of 2024, 24,823 people in Cyprus held temporary protection status. These measures aim to facilitate access to essential services and strengthen social and economic integration.
In terms of migration policy, changes to Cyprus’ labour migration framework for third-country nationals were presented at the National Conference of the EMN, which operates in cooperation with the European Commission.
Within this context, updates to the EU Blue Card scheme were highlighted, allowing highly skilled third-country nationals to work in Cyprus without a maximum employment duration, with access to EU mobility, as well as family reunification and healthcare coverage.
As part of the European Skills and Mobility Partnerships, Cyprus participates in programmes providing language training, vocational education, and skills development in countries of origin. Since 2021, more than 3,400 training sessions and over 2,000 mobility placements have been implemented under these initiatives.
In parallel, the development of regional intercultural networks in Cyprus is highlighted within the framework of the Council of Europe’s Intercultural Cities programme. These networks act as coordination mechanisms between local authorities, civil society, and migrant communities for the design and monitoring of integration policies.
According to the Commission, Cypriot cities are further developing integration initiatives towards 2030, embedding cultural and social actions into broader urban development strategies, with the aim of strengthening the participation of migrant communities in public and cultural life.