The number of legally residing third-country nationals in the Republic of Cyprus stands at 175,677, according to figures presented on Monday by the Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection before the Finance Parliamentary Committee, during the presentation of 2026 budget by Deputy Minister Nicholas Ioannides.
He said that the majority of these persons are in Cyprus with work permits in domestic and general employment, where there is the greatest demand, as personnel of international companies, as students, but also as family members of Cypriot and EU nationals. He noted that a decrease was recorded in the number of persons with international protection status.
According to the figures, 40,735 are Russians (about 23% of the total number), a number up to three or four times greater than the number of other nationalities. 16,279 are UK nationals, 15,607 Nepalese, 14,237 Indian, 12,868 Syrian, 9,407 Chinese, 8,895 Sri Lankan, 8,807 Filippino, 6,172 Ukrainian, 4,860 Egyptian and 37,810 are nationals of other countries.
The figures show that there are 16,000 persons legally residing in Cyprus and their application for international protection status is pending. Moreover 6,000 persons who have filed an appeal after the rejection of their application, are also residing legally in the country.
As regards the nationals who are in Cyprus illegally, Ioannides explained that it is not easy to calculate this number, as it changes daily depending on the validity or expiration of residence permits. He noted, however, that the number is significantly reduced, given the reduction in irregular arrivals and applications for international protection status by 89% since 2022, as well as the record numbers in departures.
The Deputy Minister said that departures amounted to 10,944 in 2024, while by October 2025 they reached 10,628. For 2025, 74% of departures concern voluntary returns, 22% forced returns and 4% relocations.
Regarding Syrian nationals, the Deputy Minister said that a fivefold number of return decisions were issued, in relation to new asylum applications. As he said, more than 800 people applied for the incentive program for voluntary repatriation, introduced last August. In total, he said, since the change of regime in Syria in December 2024 and until today, 4,007 Syrians left Cyprus.
Ioannides noted that authorities will be able to have a clearer picture of the number of persons residing illegally in the Republic with the completion of the preparation of information systems that will be able to monitor at any time where a foreigner is and under what status, once he/she enters the country.
In addition, through the digitalization of all data and procedures coordination between all state authorities related to the residing of foreigners in the country will be facilitated.
The Deputy Minister also said that modern technology is being utilized for surveillance purposes, in order to address the phenomenon of irregular arrivals.
Replying to questions by parliamentarians as to the EU share of the costs of managing migration, Ioannides said that on average the overall percentage is approximately 60%, while for some of the major projects related to hospitality infrastructure, such as the projects in Pournara and Limnes, the cost is covered entirely and by 90% respectively by the EU.
He also said that 400 persons are provided with accommodation right now at Pournara center, 269 at Kofinou and 227 at Limnes, while there are 167 unaccompanied minors in various structures and another 58 waiting for their papers to be cleared at the Pournara Center.
He furthermore noted that with the completion of the infrastructure upgrade at Pournara in 2025, it will be possible to carry out screening and identification procedures there, in order to speed up procedures.
Limnes project is expected to be completed around mid-2026, while the Pre-Return Center for the detention of persons to be repatriated, will be completed by the end of the year, as it is also a prerequisite for progress regarding Cyprus' accession to Schengen.
He also referred to measures taken for third-country nationals involved in crime incidents and explained that for work permit holders, there is the possibility of revoking their status in the event of an offense, even without a conviction.
The Deputy Ministry’s budget for 2026 amounts to €75.3 million, an increase of approximately €20 million compared to 2025.
Source: CNA