Cyprus is bound by the recast Reception Conditions Directive and has transposed its provisions through the Refugees (Amendment) Law of 2016 N. 105(I)/2016 on 14 October 2015.

14/10/2016: Cyprus transposed the recast Reception Conditions Directive by the Refugees (Amendment) Law of 2016 N. 105(I)/2016 | Ο περί Προσφύγων (Τροποποιητικός) Νόμος Αριθμός 105(Ι) του 2016.

The reception for asylum seekers is managed at a centralised level. The Asylum Service is responsible for the overall management of the reception system and has a coordinating role in the operations of the reception and accommodation centres. Day-to-day operations of the centres is usually delegated to the private sector and in some cases Asylum Service staff who are present in the centres. The Asylum Service may outsource services to other public entities or private providers to perform daily activities related to logistical aspects and maintenance of reception premises.

Overall management of reception structures: Asylum Service, Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection.

Daily operation of the reception facilities:

Public actors include: the Asylum Service (including camp coordinators), maintenance (Electromechanical Services, Nicosia District Administration, public works, Sewage Council of Nicosia), public transport, police, immigration police, Migration Department, health services (doctors, nursing services), Deputy Ministry of Welfare and Labor Office.

Private actors include: operations and management team (including maintenance), interpretation services, security, transportation with private buses, transportation with taxi, nursing services, doctors, catering service and meal distribution, cleaning service, ICT equipment supplies and maintenance, COVID supplies, hygiene supplies, consumables (electricity, water authority, telecommunication services, cleaning supplies, stationery), laundry services for bedsheets and blankets, pests control services, sterilisation services, rental of chemical bathrooms for quarantine areas at FRC Pournara.

National legislation does not regulate the distribution of applicants to different areas of the territory. The distribution of applicants to reception centres varies, depending on flows, capacity and national policy.

Applicants are entitled to material reception conditions from the moment they lodge an application for international protection. Applicants then receive a document entitled “Confirmation of submission of an application for international protection”. This document secures the rights and benefits stipulated in the Refugee Law and particularly:

• the right to remain in areas controlled by the Republic of Cyprus;
• access to medical treatment;
• access to material reception conditions;
• access to public education. 

When making an application for international protection, applicants receive a document stating their intention to apply for international protection, which is an official document of the Asylum Service issued by the Aliens and Immigration Police which serves as a proof of the legal status of a person “as an applicant for international protection before any authority of the Republic of Cyprus" until the applicant lodges an application for international protection within 6 days.

Applicants are entitled to material reception conditions until a final decision is issued.

Coverage of material conditions by the Social Welfare Services may be terminated when an asylum seeker or spouse is deemed “willfully unemployed”.

The reception phases in principle are related to the type of reception facility to which applicants may be assigned. 

During a mass influx, irregularly arrived persons or potential applicants are initially referred to the First Reception Center Pournara where they can stay up to 3 days to register their application, receive emergency reception support and an initial medical screening. As of 2020, all new irregular arrivals subject to an asylum claim are transferred to the First Reception Center Pournara. 

Upon lodging an application, applicants are referred to the Kofinou reception and accommodation centre or to the accommodation centre Limnes. If places are not available at the reception center, the applicant is referred by the Asylum Service to the Social Welfare Services to apply for support for an individual accommodation. 

If an applicant is found to have vulnerabilities during an assessment, they are referred to the relevant authorities for special accommodation.

The Asylum Service (Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection) is responsible for deciding to activate the contingency plan ‘Nafkratis’.

The Civil Defense (Ministry of the Interior) participates in the contingency plan and has the responsibility to set up tents upon activation of the contingency plan (which are kept in warehouses of the Ministry of the Interior).

The Nafkratis Plan is activated for persons entering the country irregularly, upon claiming their intention to apply for asylum. They are taken to Pournara First Reception Centre where they must stay for 3 days in order to undergo medical examinations, fingerprinting, document checks and registration. Tents were used as an emergency solution due to mass arrivals of applicants (in the area of the First Reception Centre operating in Nicosia). The tent capacity was beyond the total capacity of the First Reception Centre and the average stay of migrants was approximately 1 week. 

To align with the Pact on Migration and Asylum, the DMMIP must draft an overall contingency plan related to mass irregular arrivals and asylum applications. The Asylum Service submitted the first draft in June 2025, with a final version of it expected before the end of 2025. This plan has input from relevant agencies and ministries, such as the SWS, the Civil Defense, AIU, Coast Guard, MoH, police and IPAC.

Reception structures are:

• Initial/first reception centre (under refurbishment), under the Asylum Service (CAS);
• Accommodation centre (under upgrade procedures), under the Asylum Service (CAS) in Kofinou;
• Accommodation centre (under reconstruction), under the Asylum Service (CAS) in Limnes.
• Individual accommodation. National legislation provides for individual accommodation (Article 9ΙΔ Refugee Law) according to which applicants for international protection may reside in private residences, apartments, hotels or other reception units which are adjusted to meet the needs for reception of applicants including special provisions for the reception of unaccompanied minor applicants and vulnerable groups. The applicant has the right to apply for housing assistance in the following cases: there are no places available at the reception and accommodation centre; an applicant provides justification of the reason/s that they cannot reside in the centre; or the applicant has no means to ensure private accommodation.

The request is handled by the Asylum Service in cooperation with the Social Welfare Services.

Adapted premises for people with special accommodation needs, such as unaccompanied minors and other vulnerable groups, are under the responsibility of the Social Welfare Services (SWS). They include:

• Safe zone at Pournara First Reception Centre for both unaccompanied children and vulnerable persons and in Limnes Accommodation Centre only for vulnerable applicants;
• State homes for unaccompanied minors operated by the Social Welfare Services;
• Shelters for children managed by the Social Welfares Services in cooperation with civil society organisations;
• Foster care programme;
• Semi-independent housing programme operated by the IOM in cooperation with Social Welfare Services to facilitate transition to adulthood for unaccompanied children over 16 years old;
• Shelters for abused women (including applicants for international protection);
• Shelter for victims of trafficking managed by the police ​​​​​.​

Reception structures for unaccompanied children are:

• Lakatamia: SWS Office in Nicosia (material reception conditions);
• Safe Zone Pournara: New area A and B that is supported by the EUAA, operated since 11 August 2022 for unaccompanied minor girls and existent safe zone area C for unaccompanied boys;
• Types of applicants accommodated in the safe zone A and B: Vulnerable single ladies, single mothers with children under 12 years old and unaccompanied girls;
• Capacity for new safe zone A and B: 80 persons
• Capacity for safe zone C (unaccompanied minor boys): 80
• Capacity for safe zone D (families): 100 persons.

Unaccompanied minors are accommodated temporarily in a safe zone at the First Reception Centre for a short stay to proceed to registration, identification, medical examinations, registration and lodging of the application. After this short period in the safe zone, unaccompanied minors are referred to the Social Welfare Services and transferred to an adapted shelter where they are provided with the necessary services, including the appointment of a guardian.

In legislation, there are special provisions for unaccompanied minors (Article 9ΚΕ) and victims of torture and violence (Article ΚΣΤ).

Current housing arrangements for applicants with special needs (operated by Social Welfare Services):

• 5 state homes for unaccompanied minors (3 for boys and 2 for girls)
• 1 foster care programme (hosts 35 children approximately)
• 1 semi-independent living program (hosts 35 children approximately).

Article 2 of the Refugee Law defines material reception conditions, such as accommodation, food, clothing and a daily allowance. Article 9IB stipulates that material assistance can be provided in kind or in vouchers; if this is not possible, through financial aid.

Article 9ΚF of the Refugee Law stipulates the following profiles of applicants considered to be vulnerable within the reception system or offered special reception arrangements:

• Minors
• Unaccompanied minors
• Persons with disabilities
• Elderly persons
• Pregnant women
• Single-parent families with minors
• Victims of trafficking
• Persons with serious illness
• Persons with mental disorders and
• Persons who have been subjected to torture, rape or other serious forms of psychological, physical, or sexual violence, such as women victims of genital mutilation.

Article 9KΔ of the Refugee Law provides that an assessment if an applicant is in need of special reception conditions is done on case-by-case. An applicant submits a special form indicating special reception needs if applicable. The applicant undergoes a medical and psychological examination. If during an interview the applicant provides additional information that relates to special reception needs, a special report is made to the Asylum Service.

If the applicant appears at the Social Welfare Services and special reception needs or procedural needs are identified, the Social Welfare Services notifies the Asylum Service.

The Asylum Service decides within reasonable time on special reception needs or procedural needs and may refer the applicant to the competent authority. If necessary, the Asylum Service may conduct a personal interview with the applicant. If according to the decision the applicant has special reception needs, they are provided for the duration of the asylum procedure and the Asylum Service regularly monitors the condition of the applicant.

The Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth is responsible for access to the education system. The national legal framework specifies that access to public education is granted immediately and, in any case, within 3 months from the date of submission of the application by the minor or the guardian of the minor. The right of underage applicants or minor children of applicants to attend secondary education is not affected by a transition to adulthood.

Organisation of classes: Relevant information on the organisation of classes can be found consulting the DRASE programme under the Ministry of Education. According to the national legislation, if necessary, preparatory classes for minors are provided, including language courses, to facilitate their access to and participation in the public education system.

If access to the public education system is impossible due to the special situation of a minor, the competent services of the Ministry of Education and Culture may implement other regulatory acts related to education, according to the Education Act, Education of Children with Special Needs Law, and the Regulations on the Education and Training of Children with Special Needs of 2001 and 2013.   

Asylum seekers are allowed to find private accommodation. Most applicants who opt for private accommodation have ties with their own community in Cyprus or relatives residing in Cyprus. When CAS has given them the right to reside in an accommodation centre but they deny it, they may opt for private accommodation but with limited financial allowances from SWS.

Applicants are not required to contribute to the costs of material reception conditions.

A means test is not applied. If a person has sufficient means to have an adequate standard for living, material receptions conditions from SWS are not provided (Article 9IA Refugees Law).

According to Articles 9KB(1), 9KB(1)(a) and 9KB(1)(b) of the Refugee Law, material reception conditions may be reduced or withdrawn by a decision of the Asylum Service. Any decision on the reduction or withdrawal of reception conditions for vulnerable persons shall be based on the situation of the person and consider the principle of proportionality. 

Reduction or withdrawal of material reception conditions may be decided by the Head of the Asylum Service in exceptional and duly justified cases, namely: 

• The applicant does not comply with the obligation to inform the competent authority timely about a change of residence;
• the applicant does not appear for the personal interview within 2 weeks from the date of the specified interview, does not respond to a requirement of the Asylum Service to provide any additional information in the context of the examination of the asylum application and fails to give a satisfactory explanation for these actions;
• the applicant has submitted a subsequent application;
• the applicant has ensured adequate financial resources and therefore has benefited unfairly from material reception conditions;
• the applicant, without legitimate cause, has not filed an application as soon as reasonably practicable after arrival in the government-controlled areas of the Republic of Cyprus.  

In the above cases, if the applicant voluntarily reports to the Asylum Service, the Head of the Asylum Service may issue a duly motivated decision, based on the reasons that led to the disappearance of the applicant, on the renewal or granting some or all of the material reception conditions that were restricted or revoked.

Accommodation at the reception centre may be terminated upon decision by the Director in the following cases:  

• voluntary departure of the applicant if they have secured housing with their own resources;
• expiry of at least 6 months from the referral of the applicant at the centre, where the accommodation centre is overcrowded and it is necessary to reference the new applicants;
• the applicant has repeatedly infringed operating rules of the reception centre and not complied with the recommendations provided by staff;
• the applicant has shown violent behaviour to staff or other applicants. 

For applicants residing in the community, the Social Welfare Service can reject fully or partially an application for reception conditions, or can cease in full or in part the provision of reception conditions if the applicant has sufficient resources for their own subsistence and provide an adequate standard of living from a health perspective.

Article 9KB of the Refugee Law regulates the procedure to reduce or withdraw material reception conditions. Article 9KZ of the Refugee Law provides that sanctions may apply if a decision is fully justified.

Article 16B (2)(β) of the Refugee Law is relevant for an implicit withdrawal.

Review of the sanction decision is not used very often in practice. When a decision on reception conditions is issued and it negatively impacts the applicant, they can appeal the decision at IPAC.