Cyprus remains under high migratory pressure according to EU report

On November 6, 2026, the European Commission released its second annual report on asylum and migration, identifying Cyprus, Greece, Italy, and Spain as nations still under significant migratory pressure. This is the first report issued since the full implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum on June 12, 2026.

Data covering the period from July 2025 to June 2026 shows a 34% decrease in irregular border crossings for Cyprus, attributed largely to reduced arrivals from Syria and effective cooperation with Lebanese authorities. Despite this decline, Cyprus ranks third in the EU for irregular arrivals and second for international protection applications when measured against its GDP and population. The Commission noted that the country faces disproportionate challenges, including a strained returns system and a high number of temporary protection registrations.

Notably, Cyprus leads the EU in the proportion of return decisions issued and stands among the top five member states for completed returns. While EU-wide irregular entries dropped by 32% and asylum applications by 16% over the same period, Cyprus continues to navigate a uniquely heavy administrative and operational burden within the bloc's migration framework.