Cyprus is not in Schengen because it has not met all the necessary requirements for joining the Schengen Area.
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Cyprus, a European island country located in the Eastern Mediterranean, is not yet a part of the Schengen Area. The Schengen Area is a region in Europe consisting of 26 countries that have abolished internal borders, allowing for the free movement of people and goods. Despite being a member of the European Union since 2004, Cyprus has not met all the necessary requirements for joining the Schengen Agreement.
One of the key requirements for joining the Schengen Area is having secure borders. Cyprus shares a border with the unrecognised Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is only recognised by Turkey. This has caused issues with border security and has been cited as a reason why Cyprus has not yet joined the Schengen Area.
In addition, there have been concerns over organised crime and illegal migration in Cyprus. The European Commission has stated that Cyprus must improve its efforts to combat these issues before it can be admitted into the Schengen Area.
According to a report by the European Parliament, “The Cypriot authorities need to increase their efforts in the fight against corruption and organized crime, which have a negative impact on the rule of law and the fight against illegal migration.”
Despite not being a part of the Schengen Area, Cyprus does allow for visa-free travel for citizens of many countries, including all EU member states, the United States, and Australia.
Interesting Facts:
- Cyprus is the third-largest island in the Mediterranean, after Sicily and Sardinia.
- The island was ruled by the British Empire from 1878 until it gained independence in 1960.
- Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey invaded the northern part of the island in response to a military coup organised by supporters of union with Greece.
- In 2013, Cyprus underwent a financial crisis, and the country required an international bailout from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund.
Table:
| Country | Date of joining EU | Date of joining Schengen |
|---|---|---|
| Austria | 1995 | 1997 |
| Belgium | 1957 | 1995 |
| Czech Republic | 2004 | 2007 |
| Cyprus | 2004 | N/A |
| Denmark | 1973 | 2001 |
| Estonia | 2004 | 2007 |
| Finland | 1995 | 2001 |
| France | 1957 | 1995 |
| Germany | 1957 | 1995 |
| Greece | 1981 | 2000 |
| Hungary | 2004 | 2007 |
| Iceland | N/A | N/A |
| Ireland | 1973 | 1997 |
| Italy | 1957 | 1997 |
| Latvia | 2004 | 2007 |
| Liechtenstein | N/A | 2012 |
| Lithuania | 2004 | 2007 |
| Luxembourg | 1957 | 1995 |
| Malta | 2004 | 2007 |
| Netherlands | 1957 | 1995 |
| Norway | N/A | N/A |
| Poland | 2004 | 2007 |
| Portugal | 1986 | 1995 |
| Romania | 2007 | N/A |
| Slovakia | 2004 | 2007 |
| Slovenia | 2004 | 2007 |
| Spain | 1986 | 1995 |
| Sweden | 1995 | 2001 |
| Switzerland | N/A | 2008 |
Quote:
“Schengen is like a network of railway tracks which allows people to move freely, given that their tickets and identities are checked at the stations.” – Cecilia Malmstrom, Former EU Commissioner for Home Affairs.
Answer to your inquiry in video form
The European Commission wants to enlarge the Schengen area by admitting Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia, and Cyprus. However, the EU Home Affairs Commissioner has announced that Cyprus is not currently ready to join Schengen due to the peculiarity of the country’s green line and other factors. Although Cyprus is a candidate, unanimous approval is needed from all EU governments, and the voting decisions are made by the European Council.
There are other opinions
Cyprus is one of the few EU states that have not joined the Schengen Area, along with Croatia, Romania, and Bulgaria. Cyprus joined the EU in 2004 and adopted the Euro in 2008. However, it has not joined the Schengen Zone due to continued disputes over Cyprus’s national borders, which took place in 1974. According to the European Union agreements, Cyprus has to join the Schengen Area, and it has fulfilled all the requirements regarding the data protection that would bring the country one step closer to Schengen accession.
Cyprus is one of few EU States that have not joined the Schengen Area, along with Croatia, Romania, and Bulgaria. … Cyprus has been a part of the European Union since 2004 but has not been able to join its border-free zone chiefly as a result of the territorial disputes with Northern Cyprus that took place in 1974.
Cyprus joined the EU in 2004. The country adopted the Euro in 2008, creating economic standardization. But it hasn’t joined the Zone due to continued disputes over Cyprus’s national borders.
According to the European Union agreements, Cyprus has to join the Schengen Area. 4 EU country members that are not currently a part of the Schengen area are Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, and Romania. They are legally obliged to join the area in the future. So the four countries, including Cyprus, must join Schengen.
Last year, SchengenVisaInfo.com reported that Cyprus fulfilled all the requirements regarding the data protection that would bring the country one step closer to Schengen accession. In September 2019, the government applied for Schengen Membership, but the process has not been finalized yet.
More interesting on the topic
Will Cyprus join the Schengen Area?
The reply will be: Although Cyprus, which joined the EU on 1 May 2004, is legally bound to join the Schengen Area, implementation has been delayed because of the Cyprus dispute.
In this way, Will Schengen create a huge tribulation for Turkish Cypriots?
Answer will be: According to former Cypriot Minister of Foreign Affairs Giorgos Lillikas, "strict and full control based on Schengen will create a huge tribulation on a daily basis for the Turkish Cypriots" of Northern Cyprus, and it is unclear if this control is possible before the resolution of the dispute.
Which countries are not part of the Schengen zone?
The answer is: Meanwhile, the microstates of San Marino, Monaco, and Vatican City are also not official members of the Schengen Zone. However, these three are considered ‘de facto’ inside the area — and, therefore, do not impose border controls. Are the French and Netherlands overseas territories part of the Schengen zone?
In this way, Which European microstates are not part of Schengen? In reply to that: Three European microstates—Monaco, San Marinoand the Vatican City—are officially not part of Schengen, but are considered de factowithin the Schengen Area, as they have open borders and do not have border controls with the Schengen countries that surround them.
Also question is, Is Cyprus in Schengen?
As a response to this: I heard that Cyprus is not in Schengen. What does that mean? Cyprus is a full member of the European Union, one of 27 countries. However,it is not yet in the Schengen area, although it is expected that it soon will be. The Schengen Agreement is meant to provide freedom of movement for all member countries, some of which are not in the E.U.
One may also ask, When will Cyprus Romania and Bulgaria join the Schengen Area? The reply will be: When will Cyprus, Romania and Bulgaria join the Schengen area?… These three Member States still have to pass the Schengen evaluation before they can join the Schengen area. The target date for Bulgaria and Romania is 2011.
Hereof, Will Schengen create a huge tribulation for Turkish Cypriots?
According to former Cypriot Minister of Foreign Affairs Giorgos Lillikas, "strict and full control based on Schengen will create a huge tribulation on a daily basis for the Turkish Cypriots" of Northern Cyprus, and it is unclear if this control is possible before the resolution of the dispute.
Secondly, Which European countries are not part of the Schengen zone?
Response will be: The European countries that are not part of the Schengen zone are Albania, Andora, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Georgia, Ireland, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine, The United Kingdom and Vatican City.