The Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection told Parliament that 175,000 third-country nationals now reside legally in Cyprus, while irregular arrivals and new asylum claims have fallen 89 % since 2022. The figures were presented during debate on the 2026 state budget and come as the island prepares to take over the rotating EU Council presidency in January 2026.
According to Deputy Minister Nikolas Ioannides, the largest legally-resident communities are Russians (40,735), Britons (16,279), Nepalese (15,607), Indians (14,237) and Syrians (12,868). A further 22,000 people remain in legal limbo while their asylum cases or appeals are examined.
![Cyprus counts 175,000 legal migrants as irregular arrivals plummet 89%]()
Ioannides credited stepped-up coastal patrols, drone surveillance and fast-track return schemes—many co-funded by the EU—for the sharp decline in irregular flows. He added that more than 10,600 migrants had left Cyprus by October 2025, mainly through voluntary-return programmes subsidised by Brussels.
To improve oversight, the ministry is rolling out a real-time migrant-tracking platform and linking the national Visa Information System with EU security databases. Migration-related spending will rise to €75.3 million next year, 60 % of which will be reimbursed by EU funds.
For corporates, the data signal both tighter border controls and a larger pool of legally available labour. Employers should review onboarding procedures, ensure work-permit compliance and monitor forthcoming digital-identity upgrades that will affect residence-permit renewals.
According to Deputy Minister Nikolas Ioannides, the largest legally-resident communities are Russians (40,735), Britons (16,279), Nepalese (15,607), Indians (14,237) and Syrians (12,868). A further 22,000 people remain in legal limbo while their asylum cases or appeals are examined.
Ioannides credited stepped-up coastal patrols, drone surveillance and fast-track return schemes—many co-funded by the EU—for the sharp decline in irregular flows. He added that more than 10,600 migrants had left Cyprus by October 2025, mainly through voluntary-return programmes subsidised by Brussels.
To improve oversight, the ministry is rolling out a real-time migrant-tracking platform and linking the national Visa Information System with EU security databases. Migration-related spending will rise to €75.3 million next year, 60 % of which will be reimbursed by EU funds.
For corporates, the data signal both tighter border controls and a larger pool of legally available labour. Employers should review onboarding procedures, ensure work-permit compliance and monitor forthcoming digital-identity upgrades that will affect residence-permit renewals.
