Cyprus is aiming to join the Schengen Zone by the end of 2025, striving to align itself with Bulgaria, Poland, Croatia, Austria, Germany, Romania, France, Spain, Italy, and twenty other nations in Europe’s renowned visa-free travel area. President Nikos Christodoulides unveiled this ambitious goal during the Beyond Sea and Sun tourism conference in Nicosia on January 12, highlighting the island nation’s determined efforts to fulfill the rigorous requirements for Schengen membership.

This milestone comes as Romania and Bulgaria officially joined the Schengen Zone on January 1, 2025, with air and sea border controls having been removed between these nations and other Schengen members in March 2024. Cyprus is now eager to follow in their footsteps and join the ranks of countries like Bulgaria, Poland, Croatia, Austria, Germany, Romania, France, Spain, Italy, and twenty others.

Cyprus’s Journey Toward Schengen Membership

President Christodoulides expressed confidence in the progress made so far. “The government has addressed all political concerns regarding the ceasefire line and is now finalizing the technical details required for accession,” he stated.

A dedicated team at Cyprus’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is leading the charge, focusing on resolving the technical and regulatory requirements outlined by the European Union. These efforts include adopting the Schengen acquis—a comprehensive set of rules governing border controls, visas, and police cooperation.

Unique Challenges Facing Cyprus

Unlike most Schengen countries, Cyprus faces unique challenges due to its divided status. The Green Line buffer zone, which separates the Republic of Cyprus from the Turkish-controlled northern region, would become the EU’s external border. This means Cyprus would need to implement enhanced passport controls at crossing points to ensure compliance with Schengen standards.

Additionally, EU officials have indicated that the Green Line Regulation, which governs movement across the buffer zone, would need significant modifications to align with Schengen rules. This task is no small feat and requires careful coordination between Cyprus and the EU.

Another challenge is Cyprus’s geographic isolation. The island lacks shared land borders with other EU nations, which has historically delayed its Schengen membership bid. As Charles Savva, Managing Director of Savva & Associates, explains, “Cyprus and Ireland remain the last two EU members to join Schengen, and no surprise here as we do not share a land border with the EU.”

The Growing Schengen Family

The Schengen Zone, established in 1985, has grown into the largest free travel area in the world. What started as an agreement among five EU countries—France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg—has expanded to include 29 nations. The most recent additions, Romania and Bulgaria, celebrated their entry on January 1, 2025, marking a historic moment for European unity.

Today, the Schengen Zone covers over 4 million square kilometers and serves nearly 450 million residents. It includes 25 EU member states alongside Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. Croatia became the 27th EU member to fully join Schengen in 2023, further strengthening the area’s connectivity and cooperation.

Schengen members now include Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Benefits of Schengen Membership

For Cyprus, joining the Schengen Zone would be transformative. Travelers from Schengen countries could visit the island without border checks, boosting tourism and making Cyprus even more attractive to international visitors. Cypriots, too, would benefit from seamless travel across Europe, whether for business, study, or leisure.

The economic advantages are equally compelling. By eliminating border delays, businesses can save time and reduce costs, creating new opportunities for trade and investment. This is particularly important for Cyprus, which relies heavily on its tourism and service sectors.

Romania and Bulgaria are already reaping these rewards. With Romania’s Carpathian Mountains and vibrant cities like Bucharest, and Bulgaria’s Black Sea coastline and cultural heritage, both nations are experiencing increased tourism and trade since joining Schengen. Cyprus hopes to follow their lead and unlock similar benefits.

Balancing Freedom and Security

While the Schengen Zone promotes free movement, it also prioritizes security. Member states collaborate closely to combat organized crime, terrorism, and illegal migration. This integrated approach includes:

• Cross-border surveillance and hot pursuit of suspects.
• Enhanced communication between police forces across borders.
• Mutual assistance and information sharing between authorities.

Cyprus will need to prove its ability to secure its borders while contributing to Schengen’s overall safety. Connecting to the Schengen Information System (SIS), a vital tool for sharing security data, will be a crucial part of this process.

What Lies Ahead

Joining the Schengen Zone requires meeting strict criteria. Cyprus must undergo rigorous evaluations to demonstrate its readiness, including adopting the Schengen acquis, implementing robust border controls, and ensuring seamless cooperation with other Schengen countries. Once these conditions are met, unanimous approval from existing Schengen members will be required, followed by consultation with the European Parliament.

A Vision for the Future

Cyprus’s bid to join the Schengen Zone by 2025 aligns with its broader vision of deepening ties with Europe and enhancing its role as a hub for travel, trade, and investment. While challenges remain, the progress made so far is a testament to the island’s determination and commitment.

As we look ahead, Cyprus’s journey toward Schengen membership serves as a reminder of the power of unity and collaboration. With the right efforts, the island could soon join the ranks of Bulgaria, Poland, Croatia, Austria, Germany, Romania, France, Spain, Italy, and 20 other nations in creating a seamless, border-free Europe.

Stay tuned as Cyprus works to achieve this historic milestone—2025 could be a game-changing year for the Mediterranean island!

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