Cyprus Eyes Entry into Schengen Zone by 2026 – No Impact on Sarfo’s Residency

Cyprus is actively working towards joining the Schengen Zone by 2026, President Nikos Christodoulides confirmed in recent statements. The country aims to complete all technical requirements by the end of 2025 to facilitate full integration into the EU’s border-free travel area.

Speaking at an event honouring mothers of large families, President Christodoulides declared: “We will join the Schengen Zone in 2026.” He highlighted that the government is already making strong progress in addressing the technical conditions set by the European Union.

“There’s a coordinated effort to meet all obligations by the end of 2025,” he said. “Our goal is to be fully prepared for accession in 2026, which will benefit both Cyprus and the European Union.” He also noted that support from the European Parliament is essential and expressed optimism about the positive signals received so far.

The President added that Schengen membership is a key topic in discussions with other EU member states, especially in light of Cyprus’s upcoming Presidency of the Council of the EU. “I’m pleased with the encouraging responses we’ve had. But first, we must do our part — and we will, by the end of 2025,” he stressed.

The Sarfo Case and Schengen Restrictions

The topic of Schengen has drawn wider attention in Cyprus, not just from a political standpoint but also within sports media. This is largely due to the case of Kingsley Sarfo, APOEL’s Ghanaian midfielder, who is currently banned from entering countries that are part of the Schengen Area until 2028.

Sarfo has previously been excluded from APOEL squads travelling to European fixtures in Schengen countries, remaining in Cyprus while the team travelled abroad. His travel restrictions have inadvertently raised public awareness of the Schengen system.

For reference, Schengen members include Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, Estonia, Iceland, Greece, Spain, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Liechtenstein, the Netherlands, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Czechia, Finland, Croatia, Bulgaria, and Romania.

No Obstacle to Staying in Cyprus

Cyprus has been considering Schengen accession since at least 2023, and with its formal inclusion expected in 2026, questions have arisen about what this means for Sarfo’s future on the island.

According to reliable sources, even after Cyprus joins the Schengen Zone, Sarfo will not face any restrictions regarding his residency in the country. The travel ban applies only to entering Schengen states, not to individuals already legally residing within a member state. In other words, although Sarfo will still be barred from travelling to other Schengen countries, he will be allowed to continue living and working in Cyprus without issue.

The Background to the Travel Ban

Sarfo’s Schengen ban stems from serious legal issues he faced in Sweden. On 30 September 2017, he was arrested over an alleged attempted rape. Shortly after, he was released by his club Malmö FF.

He was rearrested on 31 January 2018 on suspicion of five counts of rape. On 8 June 2018, Sarfo was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison, fined SEK 150,000, and ordered to be deported after serving his sentence. Malmö FF officially parted ways with him shortly after his sentencing. Although he was acquitted of the charges a year later, the Schengen travel ban remained in place.

This means that while his legal record may have been cleared, European authorities maintained his inadmissibility across Schengen member states — a ruling that remains valid until 2028.

For now, APOEL can continue to utilise Sarfo domestically, but his unavailability for away fixtures in Schengen countries remains a significant consideration for future European campaigns.

Implications for APOEL and Cypriot Football

With Cyprus expected to join the Schengen Zone by 2026, clubs like APOEL will need to carefully plan their squad composition for European competitions. Kingsley Sarfo remains a valuable asset for domestic fixtures, but unless his travel ban is lifted before 2028, he will remain unavailable for matches played in Schengen territory — including away games in UEFA competitions or international friendlies.

For APOEL, this presents a logistical challenge. The club must weigh the benefits of retaining a technically gifted player like Sarfo against the limitations his situation imposes. If the team progresses deep into European competitions, the absence of a key player for away matches could prove a disadvantage.

This case also highlights a broader issue that Cypriot football clubs may face once the country officially becomes a Schengen member. Players with existing travel bans or immigration complications will be subject to stricter EU-wide controls, potentially affecting recruitment strategies.

Cyprus and Schengen: Strategic Goals

For Cyprus, Schengen accession is not just a bureaucratic milestone. It represents a strategic step towards further European integration, improved border security, and increased mobility for Cypriot citizens.

Membership would eliminate the need for border checks when travelling to or from other Schengen countries, streamline airport procedures, and enhance the country’s appeal as both a travel destination and a business hub. It also opens the door to increased cooperation with EU security and justice systems, such as access to the Schengen Information System (SIS), which facilitates cross-border crime prevention.

However, joining the Schengen Zone also comes with responsibilities — particularly regarding the handling of external borders, migration control, and alignment with EU asylum protocols. Cyprus’s location and geopolitical sensitivities mean that its Schengen membership will be under close scrutiny from Brussels.

Final Thoughts

President Christodoulides’s declaration that Cyprus will join the Schengen Zone in 2026 marks a significant turning point in the island’s European journey. While the technical groundwork is still underway, the political momentum and international support suggest that the goal is attainable.

For citizens, it promises enhanced freedom of movement. For the government, it symbolises trust and full integration into the European framework. For football clubs like APOEL, however, it serves as a reminder of how off-field matters — legal, regulatory, and political — can directly impact sporting decisions.

And as for Kingsley Sarfo, while he may not be able to follow APOEL abroad anytime soon, Cyprus will remain a safe and stable home base — at least for now.