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Cyprus has begun forcibly returning Syrian nationals whose asylum applications have been definitively rejected, with authorities confirming that the first compulsory repatriations have already taken place.<\/p>\n
Deputy Minister of Migration and International Protection Nicholas Ioannides announced on November 3 that the operation was underway, making Cyprus one of the few European Union member states currently carrying out forced returns of Syrian nationals.<\/p>\n
The deportations are being conducted through a joint operation involving the Deputy Ministry of Migration, Cypriot police and other government agencies.<\/p>\n
Read more: Europe\u2019s biggest economies are no longer pretending the current system is working.<\/p>\n
According to the authorities, those initially returned had exhausted their legal avenues after their asylum applications were rejected by the Administrative Court of International Protection, leaving them without a legal right to remain in the Republic of Cyprus.<\/p>\n
In a statement published on social media, Ioannides confirmed that the government would continue accelerating the rejection of asylum applications considered unfounded.<\/p>\n
Authorities are also moving to withdraw subsidiary protection status from individuals who no longer meet the legal requirements.<\/p>\n
More than 5,000 Syrian applications rejected<\/strong><\/p>\n Speaking on television on October 27, Ioannides said more than 5,000 asylum applications submitted by Syrian nationals had been rejected since December 2024.<\/p>\n He also reported that approximately 6,000 Syrians had already returned voluntarily, while more than 6,000 others had expressed their intention to leave Cyprus.<\/p>\n The figures reflect the government\u2019s broader efforts to accelerate returns following the change of government in Damascus in December 2024.<\/p>\n According to figures previously reported by the Cypriot authorities, approximately 5,200 Syrians had withdrawn their asylum applications or renounced their subsidiary protection status and returned voluntarily by June 2026.<\/p>\n Financial incentives for voluntary returns<\/strong><\/p>\n Cyprus has also introduced financial assistance schemes to encourage Syrian nationals and their families to return home voluntarily.<\/p>\n A programme announced in 2025 offered eligible participants \u20ac2,000 per adult and \u20ac1,000 per child to support their return and resettlement in Syria.<\/p>\n The initiative was designed to encourage families to withdraw asylum claims or relinquish existing international protection status, with additional arrangements allowing an eligible family member to remain temporarily in Cyprus for employment.<\/p>\n A subsequent assisted return programme for Syrian families, known as SFAS-B, operated from June until the end of October 2026.<\/p>\n More inspections and deportations planned<\/strong><\/p>\n Ioannides said inspections targeting people residing illegally in Cyprus and undeclared employment would intensify over the coming months.<\/p>\n He also called on employers and landlords to cooperate with authorities, stressing that their involvement was necessary to ensure compliance with immigration legislation.<\/p>\n The government has indicated that further compulsory returns are expected as authorities continue reviewing asylum applications and identifying individuals who no longer have a legal basis to remain in the country.<\/p>\n The developments come amid growing debate across Europe over the return of Syrian refugees following the political changes in Syria, with governments facing increasing pressure to reassess protection arrangements and migration policies.<\/p>\n Cyprus\u2019s decision to begin compulsory repatriations places it among a small group of EU countries taking this step, although returns remain subject to individual legal assessments and applicable international protection obligations.<\/p>\n **Source: Cyprus Mail, Phile News and Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation (RIK).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n