Newsroom
Cyprus’s House of Representatives on Thursday approved legislation paving the way for the country’s integration into the Schengen Area’s Visa Information System (VIS), a move seen as a significant step toward full accession to the Schengen zone.
The bill passed with 27 votes in favor, while 10 MPs from the left-wing AKEL party abstained.
The law establishes a new national VIS, allowing it to interconnect with the central European system once Cyprus completes Schengen accession. It also enforces the EU Visa Code, sets procedures for visa issuance at external borders, and links the national system with other EU security frameworks, including the Entry/Exit System and the national STOP LIST. Data protection compliance will be mandatory for all external visa service providers.
Lawmakers across party lines expressed broad support, though some highlighted ongoing political sensitivities. DIKO MP Chrysis Pantelides hailed the measure as a “decisive step” toward European integration, while DISY MP Harris Georgiades called Schengen accession a “top political priority” that complements Cyprus’s EU membership.
AKEL spokesperson Giorgos Loukaides, while acknowledging benefits for security and the economy, raised concerns about data profiling, especially of minors, and stressed vigilance over the “Fortress Europe” policy. He welcomed assurances from the Foreign Ministry that the Green Line Regulation and existing EU protocols would remain unchanged.
MPs also stressed that the move could support efforts to lift U.S. visa requirements for Cypriots and bolster investor confidence by strengthening border security.
Cyprus and Ireland remain the only EU nations outside the Schengen zone. While some MPs voiced optimism about joining by 2026, others, including DISY’s Averof Neophytou, urged caution, citing unresolved political complexities tied to the island’s division.
