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The European Commission has given a favourable review of Cyprus’ preparations for joining the Schengen area in its latest “State of Schengen” report, published on Monday. The document examines developments across the passport-free zone over the last year and outlines objectives for 2026 and 2027.
According to the report, Cyprus plays an important role in improving the European Union’s awareness of security risks and developments in its surrounding region. The Commission also pointed to the country’s expertise in border control, migration management, and security cooperation as valuable contributions to the EU.
As part of Cyprus’ path towards full Schengen membership, a monitoring exercise took place in December 2025 to evaluate the country’s readiness and assist with the next stages of the accession process. The Commission said Cyprus made major progress throughout 2025, introducing reforms and measures designed to meet Schengen requirements.
In a separate statement, the Commission described the Schengen area as one of the European Union’s most important accomplishments, allowing more than 450 million people to travel, work, study, and live freely without internal border checks. It added that cooperation between EU institutions and member states has helped maintain the stability of the system.
Looking ahead, the Commission’s priorities for the 2026–2027 period include completing Cyprus’ accession process, ensuring Ireland fully applies internal security rules linked to Schengen, and strengthening cooperation with countries involved in EU enlargement efforts.
