From 2022 until September 17, 2025, more than 3,000 applicants for international protection were relocated from Cyprus to nine EU member states under the European Union’s Voluntary Solidarity Mechanism (VSM), according to the Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection and the Asylum Service.

“With the achievement of this milestone, Cyprus now records the highest number of relocations among the five Mediterranean frontline countries participating in the Mechanism (Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Malta, and Spain),” the Deputy Ministry and the Asylum Service said press release.

Specifically, they noted that from August 2022 until September 17, a total of 3,006 relocations took place, with the overwhelming majority (2,913) carried out from March 2023 until today.

The relocations are implemented in close cooperation and under the coordination of the European Commission, as well as with the support of the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). As part of the process, the EUAA organized dedicated information sessions so that applicants were fully informed and gave their explicit consent to participate in the relocation program. The relocations included persons with special needs, vulnerable individuals, families, and unaccompanied children.

The Voluntary Solidarity Mechanism is designed to support frontline Member States disproportionately affected by migratory flows, either through direct relocations or – complementarily – through financial contributions from other Member States. Relocation activities are fully funded by the European Union’s Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund.

“The achievement of this milestone confirms the effectiveness of the operational coordination between the Republic of Cyprus and our European and international partners. At the same time, it highlights the importance of tangible European solidarity both for the decongestion of reception facilities and for the protection of the rights of applicants for international protection,” the press release added.

It further noted that the Republic of Cyprus will continue to work with determination and transparency in managing migration, strengthening synergies with its partners, and ensuring safe and legal procedures for those in need of international protection.