Press Releases

The Ministry of Interior informs that the recent connection to the Schengen Information System (SIS) allows access to EU citizens' data for law enforcement purposes.

Access to the System enhances, inter alia, the level of internal security of Cyprus, contributes to the prevention of irregular migration, both in Cyprus and in the EU, facilitates the tracing of missing persons, as well as third-country nationals against whom a return decision has been issued to their country of origin.

It is clarified that access to the Information System is one of the milestones on the road to full implementation of the Schengen acquis.

Therefore, the public is informed that controls at the internal borders with the other Schengen Member States have not been lifted, both for citizens of the Republic of Cyprus and European citizens and third-country nationals. Until the accession of Cyprus to the Schengen area, Cyprus will continue, as before, to carry out checks on both arriving and departing passengers at all Border Crossing Points, on the basis of the Aliens and Immigration Law.

(EFys/MV/SCH)