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There are considerable benefits for Turkish Cypriots who obtain citizenship of the Republic of Cyprus. In addition to the social benefits available locally, they also acquire European citizenship and, consequently, a European passport. This allows them to travel freely, study, live, and work in all EU member states.
In addition, Turkish Cypriots who obtain Cypriot citizenship enjoy a range of benefits, including:
Freedom to travel: By obtaining a Cypriot passport, they automatically acquire the right to travel freely to more than 150 countries, in contrast to the travel documents issued by the unrecognized entity in northern Cyprus.
Access to the labour market: Cypriot citizenship gives them the right to work both in the Republic of Cyprus and in the other EU member states.
Access to social benefits and healthcare: They have full access to state social benefits and healthcare services provided by the Republic of Cyprus.
These are, moreover, among the reasons why a number of Turkish Cypriots seek to obtain citizenship of the Republic of Cyprus, as well as a Cypriot passport.
According to data obtained from the Ministry of Interior by the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), a significant number of Turkish Cypriots have obtained Cypriot citizenship since 2004. The figures demonstrate that citizenship of the Republic of Cyprus is quite attractive to Turkish Cypriots, who, upon acquiring it, enjoy—as outlined above—a range of benefits.
What the figures show
According to the data, from 2004 through 2026, 5,176 Turkish Cypriots were granted citizenship of the Republic of Cyprus.
More specifically, from 2004 until February 2007, before the adoption of specific criteria by the then Council of Ministers, 2,972 Cypriot citizenships were granted.
From February 2007, following the implementation of the criteria, until 2013, 1,806 Turkish Cypriots were granted Cypriot citizenship.
Meanwhile, from 2014 through 2023, the number fell significantly, with only 67 citizenships being granted. From February 2024, when revised criteria were introduced, 331 Turkish Cypriots were granted citizenship of the Republic of Cyprus.