Cyprus Issues €5 Commemorative Coin For EU Council Presidency

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

March 17, 2026

Commemorative Coin Highlights Cyprus’ European Role

The Central Bank of Cyprus issued a €5 silver collector coin titled “Rigaina’s Castles” to mark Cyprus’ presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2026. The release forms part of the country’s broader programme linked to its upcoming EU role.

Design And Symbolism

Dated 2026 and produced in proof quality, the coin draws on the myth of Rigaina’s Castles, according to the Press and Information Office. Its design also incorporates the official logo of Cyprus’ EU Council presidency, featuring a stylised sun associated with the island.

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Craftsmanship And Limited Edition Status

Greek artist George Stamatopoulos designed the coin, which was produced at the Bank of Greece printing works. The issue is limited to 2,000 pieces, each with a nominal value of €5 and a retail price of €65. Each coin has a diameter of 38.61 mm and weighs 28.28 grams. It is made from an alloy containing 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper.

Structured Release And Sales Process

Distribution will take place in two phases. The first runs from March 16 to April 8, 2026, and includes professional dealers, organisations and individual buyers.

From April 15, 2026, sales will continue through Central Bank counters on a first-come, first-served basis. Purchase limits will apply during both phases to manage distribution.

Payment And Application Details

Professional dealers are required to submit applications online and complete registration procedures. Card payments are accepted for online purchases, while both cash and cards are available at physical counters.

Legacy And Future Implications

The release is part of Cyprus’ commemorative programme linked to its EU Council presidency. It reflects cultural references alongside the country’s institutional role within the European Union.

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Cyprus’ Poverty And Social Exclusion Risk Stands At 17.1%

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 20, 2026

Cyprus recorded a poverty or social exclusion risk rate of 17.1% in 2025, below the European Union average of 20.9%, according to new Eurostat figures. Across the bloc, however, more than 92 million people continued to face the risk, highlighting persistent social and economic inequalities.

More Than 92 Million People At Risk Across The EU

A total of 92.7 million people across the EU were at risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2025, equivalent to just over one in five residents.

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Cyprus is treated as a single statistical region because of its size, unlike many member states divided into multiple regions for comparison. Its national figure therefore provides an overall picture but does not capture differences between districts or communities.

Regional Gaps Remain Stark Across Europe

The risk varied considerably across the EU, with the highest rates concentrated largely in southern, eastern and outermost regions. In 24 of the 243 regions with available data, at least 31.5% of the population faced poverty or social exclusion.

These regions were located in Spain, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, France and Romania, as well as Brussels in Belgium and Bremen in north-western Germany.

French Guiana recorded the highest rate, at 54.8%, followed by Calabria in southern Italy at 45.3% and Sicily at 44%. Melilla, a Spanish autonomous city, recorded 43.7%, while Réunion, another French outermost region, stood at 42.3%.

Central Europe Records The Lowest Rates

At the other end of the scale, 24 regions reported poverty or social exclusion risk rates below 13% in 2025. These included five eastern EU capital regions: Bratislava in Slovakia, Warsaw in Poland, Prague in the Czech Republic, Budapest in Hungary and Zagreb in Croatia.

Other regions with low rates were concentrated in northern Italy, the Czech Republic, northern Belgium, Hungary, Poland and Austria, illustrating the uneven distribution of economic security across Europe.

Cyprus Remains Below The EU Average

Cyprus’ rate of 17.1% places it below the EU average, although it remains higher than the levels recorded in the bloc’s lowest-risk regions.

The figures suggest that Cyprus performs relatively well compared with the wider EU, but poverty and social exclusion remain significant challenges across the bloc, affecting more than 92 million people.

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