EU Sets Deadline: Cypriot Travellers Must Replace Old ID Cards by 3 August 2026 or Risk Domestic-Schengen Travel Ban
Under an EU security regulation, Cyprus must phase out older non-biometric identity cards by 3 August 2026. Travellers who fail to upgrade will be barred from using the cards for flights or ferries within the EU and will need a passport instead. With nearly half of Cypriot citizens still holding outdated IDs, officials are extending office hours and urging businesses to check employees’ travel documents early to avoid last-minute disruptions.
Feb 9, 2026
