- Cyprus is replacing its legacy airport kiosks with 40 modern Automated Border Control (ABC) e-gates at Larnaca and Paphos airports.
- Shipments will arrive in late 2026 as part of national preparations for the European Union’s Entry/Exit System (EES).
- Travelers will move from a two-step verification process to fully automated biometric gates, sharply cutting wait times.
- Current paper-receipt kiosks and manual officer checks will remain temporary stopgaps until the full e-gate system launches.
If you have flown into Cyprus recently, you likely noticed a redundant process: travelers scan their passports at a self-service kiosk, receive a paper slip, and then queue for a border officer or Frontex agent to inspect the slip and confirm their identity.
This multi-step check causes friction during peak hours. Official data show that nearly two-thirds of kiosk scans generate secondary routing codes, often to confirm that adults traveling with minors comply with child protection protocols, creating bottlenecks at manual booths.
What Changes for Passengers
The new ABC gate rollout eliminates the middle step:
- True automation: The upcoming ABC e-gates perform biometric matching and database checks on the spot. Once your passport and facial scan match, the barrier opens automatically.
- No paper slips: The temporary system of printing receipts and queuing for manual approval will be phased out.
- Streamlined border flow: Full automation reduces reliance on manual booth staffing and enables more efficient processing of high passenger volumes.
These automated gates serve as a transitional phase until Cyprus achieves full Schengen integration, delivering a seamless border experience for incoming and outgoing travelers.
The current self-service passport kiosks will eventually be withdrawn as Cyprus completes its transition to the ABC system.
