The number of unaccompanied migrant children in Cyprus has dropped to fewer than 350, from around 1,100 who were under the guardianship of Social Welfare Services when the Migration Deputy Ministry was established.
The figures were provided by the Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection in response to a parliamentary question from Larnaca MP Sotiris Ioannou.
According to the response, the Deputy Ministry assumed responsibility for managing facilities and centres for unaccompanied minors on 1 January 2026, while responsibility for accommodation in organised facilities was transferred from Social Welfare Services to the Deputy Ministry.
Two organisations provide accommodation
Following Cabinet approval in February 2026, the Asylum Service launched a State Aid Scheme under which one-year funding was approved for two organisations, Hope for Children and MetAction.
Both organisations were already providing accommodation for unaccompanied minors at designated premises. Negotiations are also under way over the continuation of an agreement with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to provide accommodation for unaccompanied minors.
The organisations currently meet accommodation needs through small-scale facilities, each with a capacity of between five and 15 people.
The number of available places fell from 396 in 2025 to 254 at the beginning of February 2026.
By August, when the parliamentary response was issued, the Deputy Ministry was accommodating 132 unaccompanied minors in facilities under its management across Cyprus.
The facilities are located close to urban centres to ensure minors have access to hospitals, schools and employment opportunities, as required under national and European legislation.
Lower arrivals ease pressure on accommodation
The Deputy Ministry said the accommodation of unaccompanied minors had become more manageable as a result of a reduction in irregular migration flows and arrivals of unaccompanied children.
It also said checks at the facilities had been increased.
In a letter to the Chief of Police, the Deputy Minister of Migration and International Protection authorised police access to the facilities to address potential offending behaviour. According to the response, such incidents have been significantly reduced.
Cases involving unaccompanied minors displaying offending behaviour are examined immediately and, where possible, expedited return procedures are pursued, the Deputy Ministry said.
Meanwhile, asylum seekers who entered the Republic as unaccompanied minors and have since reached adulthood are being prioritised for examination.
Authorities seek cooperation over facility locations
On the location of accommodation facilities, the Deputy Ministry stressed that continued cooperation with political parties and local authorities was needed to find workable solutions.
The aim, it said, was to meet the Republic's obligations towards asylum seekers while also safeguarding public safety and maintaining public order.
