Cyprus extends temporary protection for Ukrainians until 4 March 2027: how the residence permit is renewed
In short. Temporary protection in Cyprus has been extended automatically until 4 March 2027. Current beneficiaries do not need to file a new application or order a new biometric permit. There are mentions of an exception where a child has turned 6 after the previous permit was issued and must provide fingerprints, but we have not confirmed it in official sources — check with the Asylum Service.
- Temporary protection status in Cyprus has been automatically extended until 4 March 2027, following the decision of the EU Council.
- Those who already have temporary protection do NOT need to file a new application with the Asylum Service or apply for a new biometric permit from the Civil Registry and Migration Department.
- Keep your registered address of residence up to date — so you do not miss correspondence about the extended document.
- There are unofficial mentions of an exception: a child who has turned 6 after the previous permit was issued may have to provide fingerprints. We have not confirmed this in official sources — check with the Asylum Service.
- First-time applicants still have to submit the application online or in person at the Asylum Service in Nicosia.
- Rights remain unchanged: the labour market, housing (the rent subsidy scheme), medical care and education for children.
Cyprus has extended temporary protection for Ukrainian citizens for another year — until 4 March 2027. The extension happens automatically: those who already hold temporary protection status on the island do not need to file a new application or apply for a new document. This follows from the EU Council decision, which applies to all member states.
What exactly happened
On 13 June 2025, EU member states unanimously supported extending temporary protection for Ukrainians, and the formal Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1460 was adopted on 15 July 2025. Protection has been extended from the previous date of 4 March 2026 to 4 March 2027. The decision changes neither the categories of persons covered by protection nor the scope of their rights — only the period of validity changes.
Cyprus implemented this decision at the national level: the Ministry of the Interior announced that the right to temporary protection is automatically extended by one year for those Ukrainians who have already received such status in the Republic of Cyprus.
Who this concerns and what to do
If you already have temporary protection in Cyprus:
- You do not need to file a new application with the Asylum Service.
- You do not need to apply for a new biometric residence permit from the Civil Registry and Migration Department — the previous status is extended automatically.
- Keep your registered address of residence up to date. Correspondence about the permit is usually sent to the address held in the register, so if you have moved — update it so you do not miss anything.
Exception: fingerprints for children
According to some reports, in certain cases it may be necessary to provide fingerprints (biometrics) — in particular for a child who has turned 6 after the previous document was issued. We have not found this exception in official explanations from the Asylum Service or UNHCR Cyprus, so treat it as unofficial information. Be sure to verify the exact procedure, age and timeframes directly with the Asylum Service of the Republic of Cyprus.
If you are applying for the first time
Persons applying for temporary protection for the first time are still required to submit an application — electronically through the Asylum Service website or in person at the Asylum Service headquarters in Nicosia. The automatic extension applies only to those who already hold the status.
Does support change
The scope of rights and support remains unchanged along with the extension of the status. Beneficiaries of temporary protection in Cyprus retain:
- a residence permit;
- access to the labour market;
- access to housing, including the rent subsidy scheme (Rent Subsidy Scheme) for those temporarily staying in hotels;
- medical care;
- access to education for children.
For questions about the rent subsidy scheme and other social services, there is a free government hotline 1450.
What happens next
Alongside the extension of protection, on 16 September 2025 the EU Council adopted a recommendation on a coordinated exit from the temporary protection regime after 2027 — in particular, the transition to other legal statuses (for example, long-term residence) and a gradual return to Ukraine. This is a recommendation, not a decision to cancel the status: the current period of protection is until 4 March 2027. Verify current details on the website of the Asylum Service of the Republic of Cyprus and on the UNHCR Cyprus page, and keep your registered address updated.
Related guides
Official sources
- UNHCR Cyprus — Persons Arriving from Ukraine
- Council of the EU — EU member states agree to extend temporary protection for refugees from Ukraine (13 June 2025)
- Cyprus Refugee Council — MOI announcement on extension of temporary protection
- Fragomen — Ukraine Temporary Protection Status, country-specific updates (Cyprus, update 19 Mar 2026)
Questions
- Until what date has temporary protection in Cyprus been extended?
- Until 4 March 2027. The extension is automatic and follows from the EU Council decision adopted on 15 July 2025.
- Do I need to file a new application if I already have temporary protection?
- No. Those who already hold the status do not need to file a new application with the Asylum Service or apply for a new biometric permit from the Civil Registry and Migration Department. The status is extended automatically.
- Where will the extended permit be sent?
- Correspondence about the permit is usually sent to the registered address of residence. If you have moved, update the address in the register so you do not miss anything. Check the exact procedure for receiving the document with the Asylum Service.
- When do fingerprints need to be provided?
- There are unofficial mentions that an exception may apply to a child who has turned 6 after the previous permit was issued. We have not found this in official explanations from the Asylum Service or UNHCR Cyprus, so be sure to verify the procedure and age directly with the Asylum Service.
- What should I do if I am applying for temporary protection for the first time?
- You still need to submit the application — electronically through the Asylum Service website or in person at the Asylum Service headquarters in Nicosia. The automatic extension applies only to current status holders.
- Will payments and support change?
- No, the scope of rights remains unchanged: access to the labour market, housing (including the rent subsidy), medical care and education for children. For questions about the rent subsidy, the hotline 1450 is available.