The Cypriot government will begin removing the 11-kilometre barbed-wire fence that snakes along rural sections of the UN-controlled Green Line next week, marking a dramatic reversal of the hard-line deterrence strategy adopted in 2022. Deputy Minister for Migration and International Protection Nicholas Ioannides told reporters that the barrier, erected under former interior minister Nicos Nouris, had become ‘more trouble than it was worth’, funnelling asylum seekers into dangerous terrain while doing little to stem irregular entries. Usable sections of the fence will be recycled for military camps and police compounds; the rest will be scrapped.(in-cyprus.philenews.com)
Officials say the decision was made possible by an 86 per cent collapse in irregular arrivals since 2022, crediting faster asylum decisions, EU-funded voluntary-return schemes and joint patrols with FRONTEX for the turnaround. Reception centres that once housed more than 1,800 people now accommodate fewer than 900, easing pressure on local communities and the labour market.(in-cyprus.philenews.com)
![Cyprus to Dismantle Controversial Green-Line Migration Fence as Arrivals Drop]()
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Local village leaders west of Nicosia — many of whom had complained that the fence cut through farmland and blocked emergency access roads — have welcomed the move. Environmental NGOs also argue that dismantling the barrier will restore wildlife corridors disrupted by the razor wire.(in-cyprus.philenews.com)
For employers, the key message is that Cyprus is pivoting from crisis management to long-term workforce planning. Ioannides said the ministry’s 2026 goals include digitising work-permit processing and expanding legal migration channels for sectors such as hospitality, agriculture and ICT. Companies that depend on seasonal staff should expect clearer quotas but also stricter compliance audits.(in-cyprus.philenews.com)
Officials say the decision was made possible by an 86 per cent collapse in irregular arrivals since 2022, crediting faster asylum decisions, EU-funded voluntary-return schemes and joint patrols with FRONTEX for the turnaround. Reception centres that once housed more than 1,800 people now accommodate fewer than 900, easing pressure on local communities and the labour market.(in-cyprus.philenews.com)
Whether you’re an employer bringing in seasonal workers or a traveller planning an extended stay, VisaHQ can streamline the process of securing the right visas and permits. Its online platform provides up-to-date entry requirements, personalised guidance and convenient submission options; learn more at https://www.visahq.com/cyprus/
Local village leaders west of Nicosia — many of whom had complained that the fence cut through farmland and blocked emergency access roads — have welcomed the move. Environmental NGOs also argue that dismantling the barrier will restore wildlife corridors disrupted by the razor wire.(in-cyprus.philenews.com)
For employers, the key message is that Cyprus is pivoting from crisis management to long-term workforce planning. Ioannides said the ministry’s 2026 goals include digitising work-permit processing and expanding legal migration channels for sectors such as hospitality, agriculture and ICT. Companies that depend on seasonal staff should expect clearer quotas but also stricter compliance audits.(in-cyprus.philenews.com)
