Cyprus reports significant drop in migration as police intensify crackdowns

Deputy Migration Minister Nicholas Ioannides announced on July 31, 2026, that irregular arrivals to Cyprus decreased by 92 percent and new asylum applications by 93 percent in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period in 2022. Pending asylum applications have dropped significantly from 24,000 in June 2024 to fewer than 13,500 by late July 2026. This decline is attributed to enhanced border patrols, efforts to combat smuggling, and stricter management of asylum claims, with a notable reduction in applications from Syrian nationals.

In parallel, local authorities have intensified operations to address illegal residency. On August 2, police and the Aliens and Immigration Service (YAM) arrested 40 third-country nationals in Limassol, with six facing immediate deportation and others undergoing repatriation procedures. Separately, two individuals were arrested in Nicosia on August 2 for illegal residence and narcotics possession after police seized cannabis and cash during a flat raid. These actions follow a broader trend of repatriations, with over 5,100 people returned to their countries of origin since the start of 2026. Officials confirm that daily operations to manage migration and combat crime across the island will continue.