Cyprus cabinet approves refugee bill to align with European migration pact

The Cyprus Council of Ministers has approved the Refugee Law of 2026, a bill designed to harmonize national legislation with the European Union’s Pact on Migration and Asylum. The regulation is scheduled to take effect on June 12, 2026, coinciding with the Cypriot presidency of the EU Council. Proposed by the Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection, the legislation aims to create a cohesive framework for managing migration flows and sharing responsibilities among EU member states. Key provisions include the establishment of screening, reception, and identification centers for third-country nationals to enhance border security. The bill also introduces expedited asylum processing, accelerated return procedures, and legal tools to manage crisis situations or force majeure events. Furthermore, it prioritizes the examination of international protection applications and formalizes notification procedures for asylum decisions. The government states these measures are intended to reduce the processing time for asylum seekers while strengthening the Republic’s operational capacity to handle migration pressure.