The Asylum Service has begun re-examining applications from Syrians seeking asylum and is rejecting those originating from areas no longer considered unsafe or unstable. To date, over 240 applications have been rejected, while it is noteworthy that, over the past year, a total of 4,007 Syrians have voluntarily left Cyprus, receiving financial incentives.
Specifically, DISY MP Charalambos Pazaros requested that the Parliament be informed about the actions undertaken by the competent state services to reclassify certain areas of Syria from “war zones” to “safe,” with the aim of facilitating the return of Syrians residing in Cyprus as asylum seekers.
On this matter, the Deputy Ministry of Migration provided written information to the MPs as follows:
-
Since the start of the war in Syria until 14/4/2024, the date on which the examination of international protection applications was suspended by the Minister of Interior Konstantinos Ioannou, the Asylum Service examined a large number of applications submitted due to the war in Syria. In most cases, complementary protection was granted, except for exceptional cases where refugee status was granted.
-
After the fall of the Assad regime and based on the Republic’s obligation to re-evaluate the security situation of every country for which the examination of international protection applications has been postponed every six months under Article 31 of Directive 2013/32/EU, the Asylum Service conducted the relevant assessment of the risk level in Syrian provinces to examine the potential lifting of the suspension of applications from Syrian citizens.
-
The Asylum Service proceeded with the examination and rejection of international protection applications from Syrians originating from areas no longer considered unsafe or unstable. Specifically, the examination of applications from Syrians from the Idlib province has resumed based on available statistical data and information from reliable external sources. Simultaneously, applications from Syrians from other Syrian provinces, such as Tartus and Damascus, are being processed. To date, over 240 applications have been examined and rejected.
Financial Incentives
The Asylum Service, in cooperation with the Migration Department, implemented a large number of voluntary returns to Syria. From December 2024 to October 2025, a total of 4,007 Syrians departed from Cyprus.
The increase in voluntary returns was also supported by the Voluntary Assisted Return Scheme, implemented by the Deputy Ministry of Migration, targeting Syrian families residing in Cyprus, whether they had applied for asylum or had received international protection before 31/12/2024. Convicted individuals were excluded from the scheme.
Families or couples could participate if one parent or spouse wished to remain in Cyprus for employment purposes while the rest of the family wished to return. A basic requirement was the withdrawal of the asylum application or the revocation of international protection status.
The financial incentives provided, with EU support, were €2,000 for the spouse returning and €1,000 for each child.