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President Announces Cyprus Will Join Schengen in 2025, US Visa Waiver Talks Advance

Fewer than two weeks after Romania and Bulgaria joined, Cyprus announces its plan to join the Schengen Zone in 2025

President Nikos Christodoulides announced Cyprus would resolve all technical requirements to join Europe’s passport-free Schengen Zone by the end of 2025. He made this declaration at the Beyond Sea and Sun tourism conference in Nicosia on January 12.

Romania and Bulgaria joined the Schengen Area on January 1, 2025, after the EU lifted internal land border controls. The EU had removed air and sea border controls between these countries and other Schengen members in March 2024.

Christodoulides said the government has made considerable progress. He revealed that his government has “addressed all political concerns regarding the ceasefire line and is now finalizing the technical details required for accession.”

A dedicated team at Cyprus’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs leads the accession process.

The island’s divided status presents unique challenges for Schengen entry. The Green Line buffer zone would become the EU’s external border, requiring enhanced passport controls at crossing points.

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EU officials have indicated that Schengen membership requires modifications to the Green Line Regulation governing movement across the island.

The lack of shared land borders with other EU nations is also a reason of Cyprus’ delayed entry into Schengen, according to Charles Savva, Managing Director of Savva & Associates, who notes that “Cyprus and Ireland remain the last two EU members to join Schengen, and no surprise here as we do not share a land border with the EU.”

The Schengen Area allows unrestricted movement for over 450 million EU and EEA citizens and legal residents. It currently includes 25 EU member states plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.

Cyprus suspended its citizenship by investment program in 2020 but has maintained a permanent residence program requiring a €300,000 investment. If Cyprus joins the Schengen Zone, its residence permit holders would be able to travel visa-free throughout its member states.

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The country has also modernized its startup visa program, slashing share capital requirements to 25% and extending residence permits to three years, signaling its commitment to international economic integration.

The President's revelation has already boosted interest in Cyprus's immigration programs, according to Savva, who reports "a big increase in internet traffic for Cyprus golden visa since the announcement."

The president also announced Cyprus has entered final negotiations for the US Visa Waiver Program. He says an American delegation will visit soon to discuss implementation.

If Christodoulides' plan takes shape and Cyprus becomes a Schengen member, Ireland would remain the only EU state outside of the Schengen Zone.

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