The Republic of Cyprus is preparing for one of the biggest shake-ups of its frontline border-control operations since checkpoints first opened along the Green Line in 2003. In testimony to parliament on 5 November 2025, Police Chief Themistos Arnaoutis laid out a two-pronged plan that will
1) reinforce the nine crossing points that link the government-controlled south with the Turkish-occupied north, and
2) upgrade passenger-screening functions at Larnaca and Pafos International Airports ahead of next year’s roll-out of the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES).
Checkpoint staffing. Twenty-three hourly-paid civilian officers have already been hired and deployed to the main Astromeritis–Zodeia, Ayios Dometios and Ledra Street crossings. Arnaoutis told MPs that the extra personnel will “free sworn police to concentrate on intelligence-led checks and counter-trafficking duties,” addressing long-standing complaints from commuters and business travellers about bottlenecks at peak times. The force is also testing handheld biometric tablets that can query Schengen’s SIS-II and Interpol databases in less than 20 seconds, cutting average vehicle inspection times by 40 per cent, according to pilot statistics shared with the House Justice Committee.
![Cyprus Police chief unveils major overhaul of Green Line checkpoints and airport security]()
Airport security. Seventy private guards currently work air-side at Cyprus’s two international airports, but responsibility may soon pass to the Ministry of Defence. Under the proposal, a new Airport Security Corps—modelled on similar units in Greece and Israel—would assume control of perimeter patrols, CCTV monitoring and secondary passport screening. Arnaoutis argued that consolidating under a single, armed authority would “close gaps between civilian contractors, airport operators and police,” while synchronising procedures with forthcoming EES biometric kiosks and the ETIAS travel-authorisation system.
Why it matters. For multinational companies basing staff in Cyprus—or routing mobile talent through the island—the planned upgrades promise faster Green Line crossings, a smoother airport experience and stronger compliance with evolving EU border rules. HR mobility managers should, however, anticipate tighter document checks at business-traveller lanes once EES goes live: exit stamps will disappear, and overstays will be calculated automatically. Companies are advised to audit record-keeping and ensure employees carry proof of permissible stay.
Next steps. Parliament is expected to take up enabling legislation in early 2026. Procurement of new e-gates and mobile biometric readers is being co-financed by the EU’s Internal Security Fund, with tenders closing in December. Training of the Airport Security Corps would begin by March. Meanwhile, the Civil Registry and Migration Department will open an information portal for cross-border commuters in the first quarter, detailing new procedures and wait-time dashboards for each checkpoint.
1) reinforce the nine crossing points that link the government-controlled south with the Turkish-occupied north, and
2) upgrade passenger-screening functions at Larnaca and Pafos International Airports ahead of next year’s roll-out of the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES).
Checkpoint staffing. Twenty-three hourly-paid civilian officers have already been hired and deployed to the main Astromeritis–Zodeia, Ayios Dometios and Ledra Street crossings. Arnaoutis told MPs that the extra personnel will “free sworn police to concentrate on intelligence-led checks and counter-trafficking duties,” addressing long-standing complaints from commuters and business travellers about bottlenecks at peak times. The force is also testing handheld biometric tablets that can query Schengen’s SIS-II and Interpol databases in less than 20 seconds, cutting average vehicle inspection times by 40 per cent, according to pilot statistics shared with the House Justice Committee.
Airport security. Seventy private guards currently work air-side at Cyprus’s two international airports, but responsibility may soon pass to the Ministry of Defence. Under the proposal, a new Airport Security Corps—modelled on similar units in Greece and Israel—would assume control of perimeter patrols, CCTV monitoring and secondary passport screening. Arnaoutis argued that consolidating under a single, armed authority would “close gaps between civilian contractors, airport operators and police,” while synchronising procedures with forthcoming EES biometric kiosks and the ETIAS travel-authorisation system.
Why it matters. For multinational companies basing staff in Cyprus—or routing mobile talent through the island—the planned upgrades promise faster Green Line crossings, a smoother airport experience and stronger compliance with evolving EU border rules. HR mobility managers should, however, anticipate tighter document checks at business-traveller lanes once EES goes live: exit stamps will disappear, and overstays will be calculated automatically. Companies are advised to audit record-keeping and ensure employees carry proof of permissible stay.
Next steps. Parliament is expected to take up enabling legislation in early 2026. Procurement of new e-gates and mobile biometric readers is being co-financed by the EU’s Internal Security Fund, with tenders closing in December. Training of the Airport Security Corps would begin by March. Meanwhile, the Civil Registry and Migration Department will open an information portal for cross-border commuters in the first quarter, detailing new procedures and wait-time dashboards for each checkpoint.
