Cruise-led evacuation brings 1,500 Birthright Israel participants safely to Limassol
24-hour public-sector strike closes all Cypriot museums and archaeological sites
‘Minds in Cyprus’ London career fair draws 350 diaspora professionals eyeing repatriation
Latest News
EU Parliament backs ‘safe country’ list as Cyprus steers Pact on Migration through final hurdles
MEPs approved the EU’s first safe-country-of-origin list on 23 June, a centrepiece of the Migration Pact negotiated by Cyprus’ EU Presidency. The measure enables faster rejection and return of asylum applicants from seven designated states, promising relief for Cyprus’ overstretched reception system but drawing criticism from rights groups.
Frontex warns Schengen Entry/Exit System queues could last up to two years
On 23 June 2026 Frontex said queues caused by the EU’s new biometric Entry/Exit System may persist for up to two years. The warning affects Cyprus-based residents who transit Schengen airports, potentially adding hours to business trips. Travel managers are urged to build extra buffer time, encourage pre-registration and prepare for overlapping EES and ETIAS requirements.
EU Presidency-led conference in Paphos will unveil new mobility strategy for Europe’s islands
Cyprus announced that a high-level EU conference in Paphos on 25-26 June will launch two new Union strategies to improve connectivity, transport resilience and economic diversification for Europe’s island and coastal regions. The plans—shaped under the Cypriot EU Presidency—address high logistics costs, limited air links and digital-connectivity gaps and could translate into new subsidised air routes, streamlined customs and a ‘seamless ticket’ for multimodal travel.
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.