关于塞浦路斯与申根区（Schengen）的关系已经争论多年，但公众对其仍存在不少误解。虽然塞浦路斯是欧盟成员国，但它并非申根区成员。这一区别对该岛产生了实际、政治及法律上的多重影响。通常被称为“塞浦路斯申根辩论”的议题，持续影响着岛内的政治和公共讨论。本文将概述申根区的定义、塞浦路斯的现状，以及加入申根区在实践中意味着什么。什么是申根区？申根区是指一组取消了彼此之间常规护照和边境检查的欧洲国家。旅行者可以在区域内自由移动，无需在内部边境接受移民检查。大多数欧盟国家都是申根成员，但加入并非自动完成。瑞士和挪威等非欧盟国家也是成员。少数欧盟成员国目前仍处于该区域之外。塞浦路斯是申根成员吗？不是。 塞浦路斯是欧盟成员国，但目前是少数几个留在申根区之外的欧盟国家之一。这意味着从塞浦路斯飞往大多数欧洲目的地（即使是在欧盟内部旅行）时，旅客仍必须通过护照检查。为什么塞浦路斯不在申根区内？这主要与该岛尚未解决的政治局势以及分隔政府控制区与北部的“绿线”有关。领土控制： 加入申根需要确立明确的申根外部边界，鉴于岛屿的分裂现状，这成了一个极度敏感的议题。技术门槛： 加入申根还涉及安全、移民和行政要求，包括必须全面落实数据共享系统、边境监控标准和庇护程序。塞浦路斯未来会加入吗？塞浦路斯政府已多次表示有意追求加入申根。总统尼科斯·赫里斯托祖利季斯已公开设定目标，要求塞浦路斯达到加入该区域所需的技术和法律标准。这一目标的实现取决于多种因素，包括政治局势发展、移民压力以及塞浦路斯与申根安全框架接轨的能力。加入申根后会有什么变化？出行便利： 前往其他申根国家的常规护照检查将被取消，居民和游客的出行将更加便捷。身份对齐： 塞浦路斯将与大多数欧盟成员国保持更紧密的步调。更大的责任： 作为欧盟的外部边境国，塞浦路斯将承担更重的责任，包括在边境管理、移民控制和安全协作方面履行更严格的义务。为什么这场辩论如此敏感？关于申根的讨论不仅关乎旅行便利，更触及了岛屿的分裂现状、族群关系、移民政策以及塞浦路斯在欧盟中的角色。因此，加入申根被广泛视为一个具有长期政治和社会影响的决定，而不仅仅是一个纯粹的技术性步骤。原文:Cyprus and the Schengen zone: what it means and why it mattersThe relationship between Cyprus and Schengen has been debated for years, yet it remains widely misunderstood. While Cyprus is a member of the European Union, it is not part of the Schengen zone — a distinction that has practical, political and legal consequences for the island. Often referred to as the Cyprus Schengen debate, the issue continues to shape political and public discussion on the island.This article outlines what Schengen is, Cyprus’ current status, and what joining the zone would mean in practice.What is the Schengen zone?The Schengen Area is a group of European countries that have abolished routine passport and border controls between one another. Travellers can move freely within the zone without undergoing immigration checks at internal borders.Most EU countries are members of Schengen, but participation is not automatic. Some non-EU states, such as Switzerland and Norway, are members, while a small number of EU states remain outside the zone.Is Cyprus part of Schengen?No. Cyprus is an EU member state but not part of the Schengen zone. Cyprus is currently one of the few EU member states outside the Schengen zone. This means travellers flying from Cyprus to most European destinations must still pass through passport control, even when travelling within the EU.Cyprus’ non-participation is largely linked to the island’s unresolved political situation and the existence of the Green Line separating the government-controlled areas from the north.Why is Cyprus not in Schengen?Unlike most EU states, Cyprus does not exercise full control over its entire territory. Joining Schengen would require the establishment of a clearly defined external border of the Schengen zone — a sensitive issue given the division of the island.There are also security, migration and administrative requirements tied to Schengen membership, including data-sharing systems, border surveillance standards and asylum procedures that Cyprus would need to fully implement.Could Cyprus join Schengen in the future?The Cypriot government has repeatedly stated its intention to pursue Schengen membership. President Nikos Christodoulides has publicly set a target for Cyprus to meet the technical and legal criteria required to join the zone. Whether this is achievable depends on a range of factors, including political developments, migration pressures and Cyprus’ ability to align with Schengen security frameworks.What would change if Cyprus joined Schengen?If Cyprus were to join Schengen, routine passport controls for travel to other Schengen countries would be lifted. This would make travel easier for residents and visitors alike and align Cyprus more closely with the majority of EU member states.At the same time, Schengen membership would place greater responsibility on Cyprus as an external EU border state, with stricter obligations around border management, migration control and security cooperation.Why the Cyprus Schengen debate remains sensitiveThe discussion around Cyprus and Schengen goes beyond travel convenience. It touches on the island’s division, relations between communities, migration policy and Cyprus’ role within the European Union. As a result, Schengen membership is widely seen not as a purely technical step, but as a decision with long-term political and social implications. For a deeper analysis of why this issue remains controversial, read Cyprus Mail’s opinion on the risks and consequences of Schengen membership for Cyprus.