Cyprus has formally opened a one-week public consultation on its new National Strategy and Action Plan for the Integration of Migrants, covering the period 2025-2029. The draft strategy, published on 17 December by the Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection, commits the government to a whole-of-society approach that will give legally-residing third-country nationals better access to language training, vocational education, healthcare and social services.
According to the consultation document, migrants already make up almost 20 % of Cyprus’ resident population, and 32 % of the private-sector workforce. Authorities therefore see integration as an economic necessity as well as a social obligation. The plan envisages EU-funded grants for companies that train and hire newcomers in high-skill positions; it also proposes fast-track recognition of foreign qualifications in ICT, engineering and nursing – sectors where Cyprus faces acute labour shortages.
![Cyprus launches public consultation on 2025-29 Migrant Integration Strategy]()
For individuals and businesses that need to navigate Cyprus’s visa and residence requirements, VisaHQ can simplify the process. Through its Cyprus portal (https://www.visahq.com/cyprus/), the platform offers step-by-step guidance, document verification and expedited courier options, helping employers, skilled workers and their families submit accurate applications and stay compliant with local regulations.
For employers, the strategy promises a single online portal where work-permit holders and their families can apply for tax numbers, social-security registration and medical cards in one sitting. Municipalities will be given funding to expand “one-stop integration centres” that already operate in Nicosia, Limassol and Paphos, offering practical advice on housing and entrepreneurship.
Business associations have broadly welcomed the draft, but ask for clearer timelines and enforcement mechanisms. Stakeholders have until 23 December (22:00 CET) to submit comments via the government’s e-Consultation platform. Final adoption is expected in January 2026, allowing EU and national funds to be released in the first quarter. Once in force, the plan will shape the compliance landscape for all companies employing third-country nationals in Cyprus, from fintech start-ups in Limassol to construction firms on the new EuroAsia Interconnector site.
According to the consultation document, migrants already make up almost 20 % of Cyprus’ resident population, and 32 % of the private-sector workforce. Authorities therefore see integration as an economic necessity as well as a social obligation. The plan envisages EU-funded grants for companies that train and hire newcomers in high-skill positions; it also proposes fast-track recognition of foreign qualifications in ICT, engineering and nursing – sectors where Cyprus faces acute labour shortages.
For individuals and businesses that need to navigate Cyprus’s visa and residence requirements, VisaHQ can simplify the process. Through its Cyprus portal (https://www.visahq.com/cyprus/), the platform offers step-by-step guidance, document verification and expedited courier options, helping employers, skilled workers and their families submit accurate applications and stay compliant with local regulations.
For employers, the strategy promises a single online portal where work-permit holders and their families can apply for tax numbers, social-security registration and medical cards in one sitting. Municipalities will be given funding to expand “one-stop integration centres” that already operate in Nicosia, Limassol and Paphos, offering practical advice on housing and entrepreneurship.
Business associations have broadly welcomed the draft, but ask for clearer timelines and enforcement mechanisms. Stakeholders have until 23 December (22:00 CET) to submit comments via the government’s e-Consultation platform. Final adoption is expected in January 2026, allowing EU and national funds to be released in the first quarter. Once in force, the plan will shape the compliance landscape for all companies employing third-country nationals in Cyprus, from fintech start-ups in Limassol to construction firms on the new EuroAsia Interconnector site.
