Cypriot police arrest 42 individuals for illegal residency

On October 7, 2026, Cypriot authorities conducted a nationwide operation resulting in the arrest of 42 third-country nationals for residing illegally within the Republic of Cyprus. The operation was executed by the Aliens and Immigration Service to enforce residency laws and manage migration. Following the arrests, authorities have initiated formal procedures for the repatriation of these individuals to their home countries in coordination with the Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection.

This action is part of broader, ongoing efforts by the government to regulate migration. According to officials, the authorities previously participated in a joint operation with Frontex on Monday, October 5, 2026, which resulted in the repatriation of nine additional individuals. Official data indicates that since the beginning of 2026, a total of 7,239 people have been deported or repatriated from Cyprus to their respective countries of origin. The current detainees are now undergoing legal processing to finalize their removal from the country.