Prior to the 2019 contest, Cyprus had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest thirty-five times since the island country made their debut in the 1981 contest. Their best placing to this point was second, in the previous year's contest with the song "Fuego" performed by Eleni Foureira. Cyprus' least successful result was in 1986 when it placed last with the song "Tora Zo" by Elpida, receiving only four points in total. However, its worst finish in terms of points received was when it placed second to last in the 1999 contest with "Tha'nai Erotas" by Marlain Angelidou, receiving only two points. After returning to the contest in 2015 following their one-year absence from the 2014 edition due to the 2012–13 Cypriot financial crisis and the broadcaster's budget restrictions, Cyprus has managed to qualify for the grand final in all of the contests in which they have participated.