Cyprus on the way to joining Schengen: what does this mean for travelers?

Cyprus on the way to joining Schengen: what does this mean for travelers?

Cyprus plans to join the Schengen area in 2026. This plan was confirmed by President Nicos Christodoulides, who stated that the technical preparations should be completed by the end of 2025. Cyprus's accession to the Schengen area is of strategic importance not only for the country itself, but also for the entire European Union. The Schengen area allows free travel between member countries without passport controls and will include a total of 29 countries from 2025, including most EU states as well as Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Ukrainian citizens who have a biometric passport can benefit from the benefits of the Schengen area, allowing them visa-free travel for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

Schengen accession brings with it a number of advantages for Cyprus. A significant improvement is the uniform access, which does not require separate visa requirements for Cyprus. This will not only increase citizens' mobility, but also facilitate tourist and business exchanges. However, there are challenges on the way to Schengen membership. The divided island of Cyprus, consisting of the Republic of Cyprus to the south and the self-proclaimed Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to the north, brings with it a certain level of complexity. The existing UN-controlled buffer zones and unofficial crossing points make it difficult to introduce the uniform border controls required for Schengen membership.

Technical preparations and developments

Already in 2024, Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos announced that joining the Schengen zone was a key goal of the Foreign Ministry. A crucial step in this process was the submission of the first notifications to the Schengen Information System (SIS) on July 25, 2023, which is considered an important milestone for the EU. In addition, President Christodoulides announced on January 10, 2025 that all technical problems regarding admission to the Schengen zone should be resolved by the end of 2025. In connection with this, guidelines for compliance with the European Entry and Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) were published on July 12, 2024.

The Schengen zone, which currently includes 29 countries, also has an impact on tourism and the real estate market in Cyprus. In 2024, Cyprus recorded over 4 million tourists, an increase of 5.1% compared to the previous year. The expected entry into the Schengen zone is expected to further increase the number of visitors and also lead to an increase in real estate demand. In particular, urban development in Cyprus' larger cities such as Nicosia and Limassol shows increasing cultural and industrial influence.

In the current situation, Cyprus does not yet issue Schengen visas because the country is not part of the Schengen zone. While travelers can enter Cyprus with a valid Schengen visa, national visas issued by Cypriot embassies are currently only valid for Cyprus and do not allow access to other Schengen countries. However, joining the Schengen zone will change this and lay the foundation for more effective integration into European travel.

In summary, Cyprus's outcome on the path to Schengen membership presents both challenges and opportunities. The proposed accession will not only significantly improve travel opportunities for Ukrainian citizens, but also boost Cyprus' economic development.

Further information is available on the websites of Visit Ukraine and GK Law Firm to find.