Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus continues to face significant rule of law shortcomings, including delays in legal service reform, lengthy court proceedings and insufficient oversight of prosecution decisions, the European Commission said in its 2026 report.
The Commission said the country had made only limited further progress in reforming the legal service and establishing effective review mechanisms for decisions not to prosecute or discontinue criminal cases.
Legal service and prosecution oversight
The Commission called on Cypriot authorities to complete the legal service reform, including the establishment of an office of the director of public prosecutions.
It also urged the introduction of effective oversight of prosecutorial decisions, including in victimless offences, in line with European standards.
Judicial efficiency
The administration of justice remains a persistent concern, with the length of court proceedings continuing to be a serious problem, the report said.
The Commission cited continued delays in establishing an independent courts service, which is intended to improve judicial efficiency, and called for faster implementation.
It said broader efforts to modernise the justice system were progressing slowly. The legal service reform bill remains before parliament, court digitalisation is limited, and recruitment and infrastructure challenges persist.
Delays in opening the commercial court also continue to concern businesses, according to the report.
Anti-corruption and institutional reforms
The Commission identified significant progress in strengthening the independent anti-corruption authority after legislation was adopted to improve its recruitment framework and resources.
However, it said further measures were needed to ensure the authority could effectively carry out its duties.
The report also welcomed reforms intended to strengthen the audit office’s independence, including fixed, non-renewable eight-year terms for the auditor general and assistant auditor general, as well as stricter appointment criteria.
Transparency measures
The Commission noted progress on transparency in media ownership, lobbying rules and public procurement oversight.
Reforms concerning state advertising and public media remain under way, it said.