Why Students Quit Cyprus and Leave Europe: The Reality Nobody Talks About

Cyprus is an EU country, but it is not part of the Schengen Area.
This single fact plays a major role in why many international students eventually quit Cyprus and leave Europe altogether.

Based on real student experiences, this article explains the main reasons students leave Cyprus, even after investing a lot of money and hope.

1️⃣ Cyprus Is Not a Schengen Country

Many students come to Cyprus believing that:

“From Cyprus, I will easily settle in Europe.”

The reality is very different.

Because Cyprus is not a Schengen country:

There is no easy movement to other EU countries
Long-term settlement options are limited
Student visas do not lead to stable residency

For most students, the legal ways to stay permanently are extremely difficult—almost impossible.

2️⃣ Most Students Come With the Dream of Settling in Europe

The majority of international students in Cyprus come from third-world countries.

Their main goal is not just education, but:

A stable future
Permanent settlement in Europe
Supporting family back home

When students realize that Cyprus does not offer a clear settlement path, frustration begins.

3️⃣ Students Leave for Schengen Countries After Getting ARC Card

Once students receive their ARC card, many begin looking for ways to move to:

Italy
Spain
Germany
Other Schengen countries

This happens because:

Cyprus does not offer long-term security
Other European countries provide more opportunities
Students feel stuck

Many students leave legally or illegally, driven by desperation.

4️⃣ Tuition Fees Are Very Hard to Manage With Local Income

Every year, students must pay:

Tuition fees
Living costs
Rent and utilities

For most students:

Income from Cyprus jobs is not enough
Families are middle-class
Students send money home instead of receiving it

Managing annual tuition fees only with Cyprus income becomes extremely difficult.

5️⃣ Job Shortage Is Increasing Rapidly (2024–2025 Reality)

According to recent trends:

Student numbers are increasing rapidly
Job availability is decreasing
Competition is extremely high

In 2025, the number of students coming to Cyprus is far higher than the number of available jobs.

As a result:

Many students cannot find work
Savings run out within months
Stress and anxiety increase

6️⃣ No Work Permission for Students Arriving After December 2024

A critical issue affecting new students:

👉 Students arriving after December 2024 are not receiving work permission letters.

Without work permission:

Legal employment becomes impossible
Survival becomes extremely hard
Students feel trapped

This alone is pushing many students to leave Cyprus early.

7️⃣ Mental Pressure Forces Students to Quit

Combining all these problems:

No settlement path
Financial pressure
Job shortage
Visa uncertainty

Students face severe mental stress.

Eventually, many decide:

“Leaving Cyprus is better than staying without hope.”