Home Outbound International Cyprus likely to join Schengen by year-end, President announces

Cyprus likely to join Schengen by year-end, President announces

Cyprus

Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides has announced that Cyprus will resolve all technical issues necessary for joining the Schengen free-travel zone by the end of the year. Speaking at a conference in Nicosia on Friday, the president highlighted the significant progress made toward meeting the necessary prerequisites, as reported by Politico.

Cyprus and Ireland remain the only EU member states outside the Schengen area, as both lack land borders with other EU nations. The Schengen zone, a passport-free area that includes both EU and non-EU countries, welcomed Romania and Bulgaria as full members on January 1.

Christodoulides emphasised that all political concerns related to the ceasefire line dividing the island have been addressed, leaving only technical details to finalise. He also underscored the economic benefits of Schengen membership, particularly for Cyprus’ tourism and investment sectors, stating that a dedicated team at the foreign ministry is overseeing the accession process.

Cyprus, a European Union member since 2004, presents a unique case as the island has been divided since 1974 into the Republic of Cyprus in the south and the Turkish-occupied north. Should Cyprus join the Schengen zone without resolving this division, the Green Line, currently a UN-monitored buffer zone, would become a hard external EU border.

Experts caution that such a shift could necessitate passport checks at crossing points, altering their status and potentially increasing tensions. EU officials have indicated that full Schengen membership would require revisions to the Green Line Regulation, which governs movement across the island.

A European Commission spokesperson told Politico that the EU is working closely with Cyprus to accelerate measures related to border management, returns, and visas. “The first-time Schengen evaluation of Cyprus is still ongoing,” the spokesperson said, adding that additional evaluation visits are likely in 2025 to determine whether Cyprus meets all technical requirements.

The spokesperson also welcomed the creation of a Task Force to expedite the process, noting that Magnus Brunner, EU Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration, will visit Cyprus on Friday to support ongoing efforts.