European Commission publishes fifth State of Schengen report

The European Commission released its fifth State of Schengen report on Monday, detailing developments throughout 2025 and setting strategic priorities for 2026–2027. The report highlights a 26 percent decline in illegal border crossings in 2025 compared to 2024 and a 28 percent return rate for individuals lacking legal status, marking the highest rate in a decade. A significant technical milestone was the April 2026 launch of the Entry-Exit System, which recorded 66 million crossings and denied entry to 32,000 individuals within its first six months. Regarding Cyprus, the Commission confirmed that a monitoring activity was conducted in December 2025 to assess its readiness for full Schengen accession. While the report acknowledges significant progress in Cypriot reforms and border management, it notes that further integration of return operations based on risk analysis is required. The document also highlights the January 2026 adoption of the first EU Visa Strategy as part of broader modernization efforts. Despite these developments, the Commission warned that ongoing geopolitical instability in the Middle East and uneven readiness levels among member states necessitate continued security improvements. Cypriot officials have signaled 2026 as a potential target year for full accession, though they have refrained from providing a fixed timeline.