Cyprus, Greece, and Bulgaria conduct first joint forced repatriation flight

On August 26, 2026, the Republic of Cyprus, in cooperation with the European agency Frontex, organized its first joint forced return flight to repatriate third-country nationals residing illegally within its territory. The operation was coordinated by the Aliens and Immigration Service, with assistance from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection.

A total of 51 individuals were returned to their countries of origin during the flight. This figure includes 35 individuals deported from Cyprus, 15 from Greece, and one from Bulgaria. This mission reflects a broader strategy among the three nations to manage migration flows more effectively through regional collaboration.

According to official data provided by the authorities, between the start of 2026 and August 26, the Republic of Cyprus has successfully repatriated 6,027 third-country nationals. These returns were carried out through both voluntary and forced return procedures. The government continues to emphasize the importance of creating stable mechanisms to process asylum applications fairly and expedite the removal of those who do not qualify for legal residency.