Schengen 2026: Cyprus Ramps Up Technical Preparations

“We Will Join the Schengen Zone in 2026”

The Republic of Cyprus will join the Schengen Zone in 2026, President Nikos Christodoulides announced on Sunday.

“We will join the Schengen Zone in 2026. A tremendous effort is being made from a technical perspective through to the end of 2025. This is our goal – we will complete everything required at the national level, with a specific target of 2026, for the Republic of Cyprus to officially join the Schengen Zone,” he said.

He added that this would be “a strategic decision, a development not only for the Republic of Cyprus but also for the European Union.”

In addition, he said Cyprus would need “the contribution of the European Parliament” to achieve this goal. On this point, he expressed his “satisfaction” with the outcome of his meeting with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola on Saturday.

“From now on, in all of our current diplomatic engagements – especially in preparation for Cyprus’ upcoming presidency of the Council of the European Union – I will visit all member states, and this will be one of the main issues I raise. I am very pleased with the responses I have been receiving,” he said.

“But first, we must finish our work, and I assure you that by the end of 2025, we will have completed all the necessary technical requirements to ensure that our country will officially be part of the Schengen Zone in 2026.”

Joining the Schengen Zone will mean the abolition of border checks between the Republic of Cyprus and other member countries in the zone.