Reduction in asylum seeker welfare recipients in Cyprus

The number of asylum seekers receiving rent and food benefits in Cyprus has decreased to 2,000 individuals, including nationals from Syria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia, and Iraq. Approximately 400 of these recipients are Syrian. The Deputy Ministry of Migration has ordered an expedited review of pending Syrian applications, citing the change of government in Syria in December 2024 and the subsequent stabilization of the country as reasons to re-evaluate the necessity of international protection. Currently, there are 13,600 pending asylum applications in Cyprus, 9,600 of which involve Syrian nationals. The Ministry reported that benefit amounts have been reduced by 50 percent over the past three years. Additionally, government officials attribute the decrease in benefit recipients and migration costs to the current administration's stricter migration policy.