EU Parliament backs ‘safe country’ list as Cyprus steers Pact on Migration through final hurdles
Frontex warns Schengen Entry/Exit System queues could last up to two years
EU Presidency-led conference in Paphos will unveil new mobility strategy for Europe’s islands
Latest News
Cyprus gains new long-haul options as EU–Kazakhstan air-transport agreement enters into force
Cyprus is now part of the EU–Kazakhstan horizontal air-services agreement that took legal effect on 23 June. The deal removes legacy capacity limits and opens immediate market access for Cyprus- and EU-based airlines to fly passenger and cargo routes to Kazakhstan, creating new options for business travel and logistics between the Eastern Mediterranean and Central Asia.
Cyprus to host high-level EU summit on islands and coastal regions
Cyprus announced that Paphos will host the inaugural EU Summit on Islands and Coastal Regions on 25–26 June. Leaders will launch strategies to improve transport links, digital connectivity and labour mobility for islands, potentially bringing new funds and regulatory flexibilities that benefit Cyprus-based businesses and expatriate staff.
‘Minds in Cyprus’ roadshow lands in Birmingham to lure expatriate talent home
At an event in Birmingham on 23 June, Cyprus relaunched its ‘Minds in Cyprus’ campaign to repatriate skilled Cypriot professionals. New incentives include cash grants for returning innovators, fast-track residence permits for family members and free tax-advice clinics, aiming to plug chronic skill shortages in ICT and health and strengthen Cyprus’ competitiveness as a regional tech hub.
‘Minds in Cyprus’ roadshow in UK courts diaspora talent
On 23 June the “Minds in Cyprus” initiative wrapped up a London career event aimed at persuading Cypriot professionals in the UK to relocate home. Attendees were offered a seven-year 25 % tax break, priority permit processing and direct access to Cypriot employers, signalling fresh opportunities for companies that struggle to fill specialist roles locally.
Murder of Bangladeshi student in Larnaca raises concern over international-student safety
Bangladeshi media reported on 23 June that a 22-year-old Bangladeshi student on a Cyprus visa was murdered in Larnaca after a 10-day disappearance. The case highlights safety and exploitation risks for the island’s growing international-student population and is prompting Cypriot authorities to consider stronger monitoring and support measures.
Digital platform introduced to control movement permits during Cyprus’ foot-and-mouth outbreak
In response to its FMD outbreak, Cyprus has rolled out an online movement-permit platform that digitises and monitors all authorised journeys of people, livestock and products within quarantine zones. The system should slash approval times, improve traceability and may later plug into EU-wide animal-health databases, offering a template for future mobility restrictions tied to sanitary crises.
Foreign demand pushes Cyprus apartment prices 10.8 % higher, complicating housing for incoming assignees
Central Bank data published on 23 June show Cyprus apartment prices rising 10.8 % year-on-year, fuelled by foreign buyers using residency schemes and corporate relocations. The spike tightens the rental market for incoming assignees, pushing firms to raise housing allowances and consider secondary cities while awaiting new supply.
Cyprus Hails EU Migration Pact and New Returns Regulation as ‘Game Changer’ for Front-Line States
Deputy Minister Nikolas Ioannidis says the EU Migration Pact and freshly adopted Returns Regulation will give Cyprus faster border procedures and harmonised return timelines. The measures promise greater predictability for employers relocating staff legally, while reinforcing the island’s ability to manage irregular arrivals.
EUROMED DAYS Forum Positions Cyprus as Gateway for Mediterranean Investment and Talent
Invest Cyprus and the ANIMA Investment Network opened the first EUROMED DAYS forum in Nicosia, using Cyprus’s EU Council Presidency to showcase new fast-track work-permit schemes, digital-nomad quotas and a forthcoming one-stop assignee centre at Larnaca Airport. The event positions Cyprus as a mobility springboard for companies operating across Europe, the Middle East and North Africa.
Cyprus Ports Authority to Unveil Development Roadmap for Larnaca Port & Marina
The Cyprus Ports Authority will present a detailed roadmap on 2 July outlining how it will take charge of the long-awaited makeover of Larnaca’s port and marina. Plans call for upgraded mixed-use quays, a 200-berth yacht harbour and 50,000 m² of waterfront real-estate, creating a multi-modal entry hub that could rival Limassol. For multinationals and mobility managers, the project promises improved logistics, new commercial space and, during construction, potential traffic disruptions.
Cypriot Defence-Tech Firms Showcase Border-Security Solutions at EUROSATORY 2026
At EUROSATORY 2026, 14 Cypriot defence-tech companies inked cooperation deals with France’s GICAT and the UK’s ADS Group, showcasing smart-border solutions such as AI fences and biometric e-gates. The agreements position Cyprus as a niche exporter of technologies that can speed up and secure passenger flows, benefiting both the island’s own airports and partner countries facing migration pressures.
New Digital Permit Platform Speeds Movement Controls During Cyprus Foot-and-Mouth Outbreak
A new government web portal issues QR-coded movement permits within minutes for people, animals and goods affected by foot-and-mouth restriction zones. The digitalisation slashes clearance times, supports uninterrupted supply chains and may serve as a prototype for future emergency mobility passes.