Checkpoint crossing trends shift in Cyprus during first half of 2026

Official police data released on August 16, 2026, indicates a significant shift in movement patterns between government-controlled areas and the northern part of Cyprus. During the first six months of 2026, there were a total of 1,733,326 recorded crossings at checkpoints, with 920,679 made by Greek Cypriots and 812,647 by Turkish Cypriots.

Compared to the second half of 2025, Greek Cypriot crossings increased by approximately 108,000, while Turkish Cypriot crossings dropped by about 143,000. When compared to the same period in 2025, the rise for Greek Cypriots reaches 280,000, whereas the decline for Turkish Cypriots stands at 215,000. Authorities clarified that these figures represent total crossings rather than the number of unique individuals, as frequent travelers are counted multiple times.

In addition to checkpoint activity, Turkish Cypriot media reported that 146,096 people arrived in the north via air and sea during the first half of 2026. This data notes that 2,440 of these arrivals were Greek Cypriots utilizing ports and airports in the north, such as Tympou, which are not under the control of the Republic of Cyprus.