Government

Cyprus airports seek to scrap passport kiosks

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August 31, 2026

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Cyprus plans to install 40 new Automated Border Control gates at Larnaca and Paphos international airports as the country upgrades its passport-control infrastructure, according to an Argophilia report. The gates are expected to arrive by the end of 2026 and will be deployed as part of preparations for the European Union's Entry/Exit System and Cyprus' broader border modernization efforts.

The new biometric gates will eventually replace the airports' existing interactive passport kiosks, which require travelers to complete a two-step process. Passengers currently scan their travel documents and undergo automated checks at a kiosk, but a passport-control officer must still verify their identity and documents before making the final entry or exit decision. The ABC gates will automate more of that process by using biometric technology to verify travelers and conduct database checks.

Cyprus officials said the existing kiosks were originally selected partly because they require less space than automated gates. The government expects the new systems to improve passenger flow and make more efficient use of border-control personnel, particularly when staffing is limited. Authorities will reassess the role of the existing kiosks as the ABC gates are introduced, with the kiosks eventually expected to be withdrawn as Cyprus moves toward full participation in the Schengen area.