Cyprus made substantial progress in 2025 towards joining the Schengen Area, according to the European Commission’s latest State of Schengen report.
The Commission published its fifth State of Schengen report on Monday, setting out developments over the past year and priorities for the 2026 to 2027 cycle. The report includes a specific reference to Cyprus, noting its role in strengthening the EU’s shared situational awareness in a region marked by risks and opportunities, as well as its experience in border management, migration and security.
According to the Commission, a Schengen monitoring activity was carried out in Cyprus in December 2025 to assess the country’s level of readiness and support the next steps towards full accession. The report says Cyprus recorded substantial progress during 2025, with national authorities implementing important reforms and measures in line with Schengen standards.
Readiness and returns
The report also points to areas where further work is required. It says national preparedness remains uneven across the Schengen system and that procedures related to returns need to be more fully embedded in member states.
The Commission notes that what may have been sufficient in the past is no longer adequate for today’s challenges, particularly in light of the continuing crisis in the Middle East. Schengen evaluations show that most Schengen states, including Cyprus, still need to fully integrate return operations based on risk analysis.
At the same time, the report records an overall improvement in the effectiveness of national return systems in 17 Schengen states in 2025, among them Cyprus. It also notes that Cyprus is among the 12 member states that have appointed national Schengen coordinators.
More than 450 million people benefit from Schengen
In a related announcement, the Commission said the Schengen Area continues to show resilience through joint efforts at European and national level.
It described Schengen as one of the EU’s most tangible achievements, allowing more than 450 million people to travel, work, study and live freely without internal border controls, while also supporting trade, tourism and the free movement of goods.
The Commission also highlighted progress in external border management. It said irregular border crossings fell by 26% in 2025 compared with 2024, while the return rate for third-country nationals without the right to remain in the EU rose to 28%, the highest level in a decade.
Another major development cited by the Commission was the full operation of the Entry/Exit System in April 2026. In its first six months, the system recorded more than 66 million entry and exit registrations, while 32,000 people without the right to enter the EU were refused at the border. In January 2026, the Commission also adopted the EU’s first Visa Strategy.
Priorities for 2026 to 2027
Despite the positive results, the Commission said challenges remain and require coordinated action. The priorities for the new Schengen cycle focus on consolidating existing achievements, closing gaps and strengthening preparedness for future pressures.
Among the priorities is work to complete Cyprus’ accession to the Schengen Area, full implementation of internal security rules in Ireland and closer cooperation with enlargement countries.
The Commission also sets out priorities including a stronger external dimension for Schengen through the revision of the Visa Code and partnerships with third countries, further digitalisation of border procedures through the Entry/Exit System and preparations for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System.
It also calls for a stronger returns system, supported by Frontex and the forthcoming digital reform of return procedures, as well as greater internal security coordination aimed at gradually lifting internal border controls.
The Commission has called on the Schengen Council to examine the report and endorse the 2026 to 2027 priorities at the Justice and Home Affairs Council in June.
Source: CNA
