40 new gates at Larnaca and Paphos airports. Passport control is set to change.

Larnaca and Paphos airports will receive 40 new ABC Gates automated passport control gates. The Republic of Cyprus has already ordered the devices, which are expected to arrive on the island by the end of 2026. The new system is expected to enable significantly greater automation of border control than the current solution.

The change is part of the modernization of the entire passport control system and preparations for the future implementation of the European Entry/Exit System (EES). The new gates will be installed at the passenger terminals of both international airports and are expected to be operational as soon as possible after delivery.

40 new ABC gates at airports

The information was provided by the Minister of Justice and Public Order, Costas Fytiris, in a written response to a parliamentary question by DISA MP Giorgos Pamporidis.

The government ordered 40 Automated Border Control devices, i.e. the latest generation ABC Gates.

It has not yet been announced how many goals will be scored by Larnaca and how many by Paphos.

The devices are to be delivered by the end of 2026, and then installed in the passenger terminals of both airports.

This doesn't mean, however, that all 40 gates will be operational on December 31st. The minister is talking about delivery by the end of the year and launching the system as soon as possible thereafter.

Today the machine does not complete the inspection

Passengers currently using BorderXpress automated kiosks are familiar with the specific procedure.

The device scans the travel document, takes a photo of the passenger, and performs a series of automated checks. It then prints a confirmation, which the traveler must take to the passport control officer.

This is why using the machine does not currently mean bypassing human control.

The police officer still has to confirm the passenger's identity, check the document and make the final decision regarding border crossing.

Official information from the Cyprus Police confirms that the kiosks currently in operation are only the first stage of the check, and the printout together with the document must then be presented to the officer.

The new ABC Gates are supposed to work differently

This is the most important difference for passengers.

The new ABC Gates are systems fully automated border control using biometric data.

Unlike current kiosks, they were designed so that a properly authorized passenger could complete the entire procedure through an automatic gate.

Of course, this doesn't mean the end of officers at airports. If the system detects a problem, data discrepancy, or the need for additional checks, the passenger can still be directed to an officer.

It has also not been announced yet, which groups of travelers will be able to use the new gatesThe Minister announced that the rules for their use will be established by the relevant ministries.

What do current machines show? There is concrete data.

The minister's response also brought some interesting statistics about the current system.

In 2025 65.6% of checks carried out by kiosks resulted in a PG code – Passenger Granted, i.e. without any indication requiring additional in-depth verification.

Next 13% of cases were designated as MI – Minor.

This marking informs the officer that the person being checked is a minor and allows for quicker verification whether he or she is traveling with a parent or guardian.

The procedure is intended, among other things, to help prevent parental abductions.

The remaining 21.4% of cases required further investigation after an indication generated during automated checks in national and European databases or as part of other security procedures.

This doesn't mean that one in five passengers was suspected of a crime. It simply refers to cases that require additional review before a final decision is made.

Why isn't it enough to scan the printout?

The authorities had previously considered another solution.

After using the current kiosk, passengers receive a paper receipt. The possibility of including it on the receipt was explored. QR code, which could then be scanned at the next electronic gate.

The idea was ultimately rejected.

According to the minister, an additional step with another scan would extend the total passport control time instead of shortening it.

So it was decided to move on to the more advanced ABC Gates.

Frontex is already helping at airports

Officers of the permanent corps also participate in border control in Larnaca and Paphos Frontex.

They were sent to the island at the request of the Republic of Cyprus and are subject to Cypriot authorities during their service.

Among other things, they may conduct passport checks, check the authenticity of documents and participate in additional inspections.

However, ultimate responsibility for border control remains with the relevant Cyprus Police officer.

What will Schengen change?

The current kiosks are not intended to operate indefinitely.

The Minister announced that after the Republic of Cyprus fully joins the Schengen Area and internal border controls are lifted, their operation will be terminated.

This will be especially important for travelers from Poland, following Cyprus' full accession to the Schengen area. the flight between Poland and Cyprus will become a journey within the Schengen area, so standard border controls on this route will be abolished.

However, controls will remain on connections leading through the external border of the Schengen area.

For now, however, no specific date should be assigned to Cyprus for entry into the eurozone. In July, the European Commission positively assessed the Republic of Cyprus's technical preparedness, but emphasized that the decision on this, When and under what terms the country will fully join Schengen is up to the EU Council.

ABC Gates also for the future EES system

The purchase of new equipment is also related to Cyprus' preparation for the European Entry/Exit System.

The EES electronically records the entries and exits of non-EU citizens on short trips. The system uses, among other things, document data, facial images, and fingerprints.

The system has been fully operational in the Schengen area since April 10, 2026. However, Cyprus remains outside the current full application of the system, so the modernization of border controls is one of the elements of the island's preparations for the next stage of integration.

For passengers, the most visible change will be the new gates. Instead of a machine that performs the first stage of screening and prints a card to show to the officer, airports will feature technology that allows truly automatic border control by persons authorized to use the system.

Source: Ministry of Justice and Public Order / Cyprus Police / Cyprus News Agency (KYPE)