Temporary Protection - Cyprus | DIP EUAA
PDF generated on 2026-01-14 13:06
Cyprus transposed the Temporary Protection Directive in 2004 with a Decision of the Council of Ministers: Refugees Law 2000 (6(I)/2000), Ο περί Προσφύγων Νόμος του 2000 (6(I)/2000), as amended by Ο περί Προσφύγων (Τροποποιητικός) (Αρ. 2) Νόμος του 2004 (Ν. 241(I)/2004) Ε.Ε., Παρ.Ι(I), Αρ.3918, 5/11/2004.
The Council of Ministers activated temporary protection for displaced persons from Ukraine by Decision (No 33/2022) of 22 March 2022 on management of influx of displaced persons from Ukraine | Διαχείριση Εισροών εκτοπισθέντων απο την Ουκρανία. (This decision has not been published in the official gazette of the Republic of Cyprus).
The duration of the protection lasted for 1 year. On 8 February 2023, the Council of Ministers decision (extracts of Council of Ministers Meeting) extended for 1 more year until 4 March 2023.
The Council of Ministers decision No 94.379 on the management of inflows of displaced persons from Ukraine | Πολιτική Διαχείρισης Εισροών Εκτοπισθέντων από την Ουκρανία extended temporary protection until 4 March 2024.
Following the latest extension, residence permits are valid until 4 March 2026.
Refugees Law 2000 (6(I)/2000), Ο περί Προσφύγων Νόμος του 2000 (6(I)/2000), as amended by Ο περί Προσφύγων (Τροποποιητικός) (Αρ. 2) Νόμος του 2004 (Ν. 241(I)/2004) Ε.Ε., Παρ.Ι(I), Αρ.3918, 5/11/2004
Refugees Law 2000 (6(I)/2000), Ο περί Προσφύγων Νόμος του 2000 (6(I)/2000), Article 20: Temporary Protection | Αρθρο 20: Προσωρινή Προστασία.
| Area | Competent national authority | Assistance to the competent authority (if applicable) |
|---|---|---|
| Screening at the external border (if relevant) | Not applicable | N/A |
| Biometric data (if relevant) | Submission of biometric data: any district Immigration Office of the Police | N/A |
| Granting temporary protection | Asylum Service | Υπηρεσία Ασύλου | EUAA |
| Issuing the residence permit | Migration Department of the Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection or Immigration Office of the Police | N/A |
| Providing accommodation | Social Welfare Services (SWS) | N/A |
| Medical care | Ministry of Health | N/A |
| Social welfare | Social Welfare Services of the Deputy Ministry for Social Welfare | N/A |
The Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, who manages a dedicated call centre for displaced persons from Ukraine.
According to the Ministerial Decision of 22 March 2022, eligible for temporary protection are the following categories of persons displaced from Ukraine on 24 February 2022 or later as a result of the military invasion of the Russian armed forces during that period:
- Ukrainian nationals, beneficiaries of international protection in Ukraine, and their family members living in Ukraine before 24 February 2022.
- Stateless persons and non-Ukrainians living in Ukraine before 24 February 2022 with a permanent residence permit, who are unable to return safely to their country of origin.
Members of the families of the above-mentioned categories. As member of the families are considered spouses and minor children (under 18) on the condition that the family existed and resided in Ukraine before 24 February 2022.
In case of adult children or other family members a separate application should be submitted.
Ukrainian nationals can enter the territory of the Republic of Cyprus visa-free and stay for a total of 3 months.
Considering the situation in Ukraine, Ukraine nationals can enter Cyprus and apply for temporary protection even if their passport is expired.
There are passport checks carried out at the airports.
Information platforms (websites)
Asylum Service page on information for displaced persons from Ukraine. The page enables online application for Temporary Protection with the dedicated online form which requires log-in.
Migration Department FAQ page providing information on the application process for temporary protection in line with the instructions issued by the Asylum Service on the relevant webpage.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Cyprus website includes information about temporary protection in Cyprus, access to health services and to education for temporary protection beneficiaries. Furthermore, the website includes relevant information platforms for Ukrainians such as the information platform ‘Ukraine is Home’ which provides accurate information in real time.
Leaflet
• Frequently asked questions of applicants for temporary protection (English)
• What do you need to know about temporary protection_Adults (English)
• What do you need to know about temporary protection_Adults (Ukranian)
• What do you need to know about temporary protection_Children (English)
• What do you need to know about temporary protection_ Children (Ukranian)
• EUAA Booklet on Cyprus – including information on Temporary Protection
Dedicated contacts
The Call Centre for Ukrainian Refugees run by the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy provides information on immigration, education, welfare and other relevant matters. For Cypriot phone numbers: 1477. For foreign phone numbers: +357 22 285777
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 08:00-20:00
| Registration | Registration Applications for temporary protection can be submitted: - online through the website of the Asylum Service - in person at the Asylum Service premises for persons residing in Nicosia. A decision is issued within the same day by the Asylum Service. The decision covers all the members of the family included in the application. Biometric data After receiving the decision by the Asylum Service, the applicant and relevant family members included in the same application, have 2 working days to visit any district Immigration Office of the Police for the submission of biometric data, which is necessary for the issuance of residence permits. Appointments are not necessary; beneficiaries can simply visit the Immigration Office of their district. Applicants residing in Nicosia can apply for the issuance of a biometric residence permit by visiting the offices of the Migration Department. Once the submission of biometric data is completed the applicant also receives an ARC number and the residence permit which is issued within 72 hours. Beneficiaries of temporary protection are exempt from paying fees. Documentation Applicants are requested to complete the application form available on the website of the Asylum Service and to upload the following documents: - a copy of their passport (valid or expired) or ID. - passport page with the official stamp showing the date that the person has left Ukraine or the date of arrival to the first country of entry (if available). The same documents should also be provided to the Asylum Service for applicants who submit the application in person. If required documentation is not submitted with the application the process could be delayed. |
|---|---|
| Residence permit | Residence permits are issued by the Migration Department or by the Immigration Office of the Police 72 hours after the provision of biometric data. Delays in providing biometric data will result in the delay of the issuance of the residence permit. Upon official announcement of extension of temporary protection, all residence permits issued are automatically renewed and valid until the newly announced date. A social security/tax number is not issued with the temporary protection/national scheme document. The social insurance number and tax number is issued by the Social Insurance Services and Tax Department accordingly, after the person enters employment (usually responsibility falls on the employer to apply). |
| Legal aid | Legal Aid is covered by the Legal Aid Law of 2022 in conjunction with the Refugee Law (6(I)/2000) (as amended) and the Establishment and Functioning of the Administrative Court of International Protection Law (Law 73(I)/2018). Legal aid is provided to individuals who meet certain criteria, including financial eligibility and the nature of the case, and are unable to afford legal representation or advice. Legal aid can be provided for appeal procedures before IPAC against the rejection of Temporary Protection application and against the revocation of Temporary Protection status by the authorities. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in its website refers Ukrainians in Cyprus seeking advice on temporary protection to visit the Cyprus Refugee Council for advice. |
| Appeal | An applicant can appeal a negative decision or revocation of his/her status within 30 days as provided in the Establishment and Functioning of the Administrative Court of International Protection Law (Law 73(I)/2018). |
| Exclusion | The grounds for exclusion from temporary protection are laid down in Article 20(5) and (6) of the of Ο περί Προσφύγων Νόμος του 2000 (6(I)/2000), Refugees Law 2000 (6(I)/2000). A person might be excluded from temporary protection when There are reasonable grounds to believe that:
Particularly cruel acts, even if committed with a purported political aim, can be characterized as serious non-political crimes:
|
| Termination/Withdrawal | The grounds for termination or withdrawal of temporary protection are laid down in Article 20C of Ο περί Προσφύγων Νόμος του 2000 (6(I)/2000), Refugees Law 2000 (6(I)/2000). Temporary protection will be terminated upon a decision of the Council of Ministers, if findings on the situation in the country of origin allows for safe and permanent repatriation of persons to whom temporary protection has been granted, respecting human rights fundamental freedoms and the obligations of the Republic deriving from the principle of non-refoulement. In case of termination of the temporary protection the general rules of the Aliens and Immigration Law (Chap. 105) shall apply. |
There are no designated structures to accommodate Temporary Protection beneficiaries. The competent authority responsible for accommodation and provision of in kind or cash assistance is the Social Welfare Service (SWS).
A rent subsidy to support Temporary Protection beneficiaries is available through the SWS.
More information can be found here: Application for Rent Subsidy.
To be eligible, persons must have been displaced from Ukraine on or after 24 February 2022 and, since their arrival in the country, must have stayed in hotels or other accommodation designated by the Republic of Cyprus without securing any other place of residence.
There are no initial reception or emergency facilities.
| Rights | Description |
|---|---|
| Access to the labour market | A person who is granted temporary protection has the right to access the labour market and to engage in employed or self-employed activities in the same conditions as Cypriot nationals. More information is available on the dedicated leaflet of the Asylum Service. There are no initiatives specific to Temporary Protection holders for employment. People in search for a job can register at the Labour Office as unemployed and the Labour Office will assist them to find a job. |
| Access to medical care | A person who is granted temporary protection has access to medical care and to medical or other assistance in case is a person with special needs. More information is available on the dedicated leaflet of the Asylum Service. |
| Social welfare assistance and means of subsistence | Beneficiaries of temporary protection are entitled of social welfare assistance and means of subsistence if needed. More information is available on the dedicated leaflet of the Asylum Service. |
| Education | Children under 18 years old, beneficiaries of temporary protection have access to education. More information is available on the dedicated leaflet of the Asylum Service. On 30 June 2022, the Ministry of Education, Culture Sports and Youth issued guidelines related to the enrolment of displaced children from Ukraine into public schools. More information about the enrolment and application process is available on the dedicated page of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth. |
| Family reunification | Article 20 (2) of the Refugee Law stipulates that ‘The Republic implements temporary protection respecting human rights and fundamental freedoms and its obligations regarding non-refoulement arising from the provisions of article 4 of this Law’. Article 4 (d) of Refugee Law envisages family unity as a basic principle to be respected when implementing the Refugee Law. |
| Other | Integration initiatives |
About the procedure: The applicants proceed at the premises of the Asylum Service in Nicosia with their passport and depending on the case additional documents demonstrating family ties, nationality, residence status in Ukraine and the date of entrance in Cyprus; Applicants can also apply online through the dedicated form only (as provided above). For in person applications, relevant information is verbally provided by the officer, with the assistance of interpreters, along with relevant information leaflets (available in the English, Ukrainian and Russian language) providing information on the TP status, the rights enjoyed and their obligations under TPD and relevant legal framework. The applicants fill in a form - provided to them by the officer at the CAS premises -their personal data and basic info (such as name surname, address, date of exit from Ukraine and entrance in Cyprus) as well as the data of family members who apply along with them in the same application. Interpretation services are provided to the applicant/applicants by interpreters employed by CAS. The officer assesses in the absence of the applicant/applicants the forms and documents provided based on the eligibility and non-eligibility criteria mentioned In case, clarifications or additional documents are needed, the applicant is informed by the EUAA information provider in charge, through the assistance of an interpreter, that (s)he has to proceed with clarifications or provide any relevant documents required. Eligible applicants receive the positive decision from the officer. After receiving the decision the person can proceed at the Migration Department to provide biometric data and the Migration Department will issue the Residence Permit.
Competent authority involved: Temporary Protection procedures are coordinated by the Asylum Service. Temporary protection granted by the Asylum Service, Migration Department is responsible for recording biometric data and for issuing the residence permit. The SWS is responsible for guardianship of unaccompanied minors and for the rent subsidy, vulnerable people and assistance with accommodation.
Legal guardianship: An unaccompanied minor must be provided with a legal representative before the commencement of the proceedings. The competent authorities shall promptly notify the Social Welfare Services during the submission of the application for temporary protection. The Head of the Social Welfare Services acts as the legal guardian of an unaccompanied minor and must take all the necessary measures in line with the best interests of the child. (Article 20 of the amended Decision of the Council of Ministers: Refugees Law 2000 (6(I)/2000), Ο περί Προσφύγων Νόμος του 2000 (6(I)/2000))
Reception and accommodation: No reception facility. For person in need the SWS is contacted to assist with accommodation and material conditions.
Information and interpretation: Information is provided during the registration procedure at the Asylum Service Offices or through email and phone (email and phone number publicly available on the dedicated online form). Interpretation is also provided. There are Russian speaking interpreters in office who assist with the application process and information provision and queries from Temporary Protection applicants.
Role of municipalities: N/A
The Social Welfare Services (SWS) can be contacted to provide assistance in case persons with special needs require assistance.
Information is currently not available
Applicants or beneficiaries of international protection have the right to apply for international protection.
If the examination of an application for international protection is completed before the temporary protection period expires, the applicant is entitled to rights deriving from temporary protection (Article 20(3)(c) Refugee Law).
If the examination of an application for international protection has not been completed before the temporary protection period expires, the applicant is entitled to the rights of an asylum seeker (Article 20(3)(d) Refugee Law).
Temporary protection is without prejudice recognition of the status of a person as a beneficiary for international protection (Article 20(3)(e) Refugee Law).
More information is available in the national legislation related to the transposition of the Temporary Protection Directive.