Cyprus (CY)
Cyprus is a Mediterranean island nation and EU member state situated at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa.
Employment Rights
Sick leave, dismissal protection and red flags in Cyprus.
Cyprus employment law is governed by the Termination of Employment Law (Cap. 24), Individual Labour Law, and EU directives. Key rights are enforced by the Department of Labour Relations (Τμήμα Εργασιακών Σχέσεων). Workers have strong protections including the statutory minimum wage, mandatory written contracts, and notice period protections. All employees — EU and non-EU — have equal rights under Cyprus labour law.
Sick leave
Rules: Employees are entitled to paid sick leave. The first 3 days are typically at the employer's expense (depending on contract). From day 4, Social Insurance pays sickness benefit (approximately 60% of insured earnings). A medical certificate is required from day 1 of illness for most contracts. Long-term illness (6+ weeks): SSI sickness benefit continues for up to 52 weeks.
Doctor note: Day 1 (most contracts). Check your employment contract.
Employer pay: Days 1–3: employer pays (per contract terms). Day 4+: Social Insurance sickness benefit.
Long-term: Social Insurance sickness benefit for up to 52 weeks for long-term illness.
Dismissal protection
Law: Termination of Employment Law (Cap. 24 of 1967, as amended) and the Employment Rights and Duties of Employees Law of 2007 (L. 48(I)/2007). Employees with 26+ weeks of continuous service are protected from unfair dismissal. Dismissal must be for a valid reason: conduct, capability, redundancy, or statutory restriction. Redundancy entitles the employee to severance (calculated by tenure). Protected categories: pregnant women and those on maternity leave cannot be dismissed except in specific circumstances.
Deadline to sue: 3 months from the date of dismissal to file a claim at the Industrial Disputes Tribunal (Δικαστήριο Εργατικών Διαφορών).
Probation
Probation periods are legal and standard. Maximum probation period: 26 weeks (6 months). During probation, reduced notice periods apply and the full Termination of Employment Law protections may not yet apply. Employers must still treat workers fairly during probation.
Notice periods
Minimum statutory notice: 1 week (under 6 months service), 2 weeks (6–12 months), 4 weeks (1–2 years), 6 weeks (2–3 years), 8 weeks (3+ years). Contracts may specify longer notice. Payment in lieu of notice is permitted.
Working time
Max hours: 48 hours per week maximum (including overtime) averaged over 17 weeks, in line with EU Working Time Directive.
Min rest: 11 consecutive hours rest per 24-hour period. 24 consecutive hours rest per 7-day period.
Overtime: Overtime premium varies by contract and sector. The law does not mandate a specific overtime premium rate — it is governed by contract or collective agreement. Many employment contracts include overtime within the monthly salary.
Vacation
Minimum 20 working days paid annual leave per year (for a 5-day week), increasing with years of service. Collective agreements in some sectors provide more. Public holidays (15 in Cyprus) are additional to annual leave. Leave must be taken in the year it accrues unless carried over by agreement.
Anti-discrimination
Cyprus implements EU anti-discrimination directives. Discrimination on grounds of race, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, or sexual orientation is prohibited in employment. The Equality Body (Γραφείο Επιτρόπου Ισότητας) handles complaints. Cyprus's small professional community means informal discrimination can be harder to challenge — document everything in writing.
Contract red flags
- !No written contract — you are still entitled to full employment rights but it makes disputes harder.
- !Contract in Greek only — insist on an English version or certified translation.
- !Salary paid partially "in hand" (μαύρα) without SI contributions — you lose social insurance rights.
- !Excessive trial period beyond 26 weeks.
- !Mandatory unpaid overtime without any compensatory mechanism.
- !Salary below the statutory minimum wage — €979/month for new employees (first 6 months); €1,088/month after 6 months of continuous employment with the same employer; rates effective 1 January 2026 (binding until 31 December 2027).
- !No holiday pay provision or claiming holidays are included in the monthly salary without explicit calculation.
- !Non-compete clauses that are excessively broad (more than 6 months and limited geographic scope).
- !No Social Insurance (SI) registration or contributions — employer must register you with the Social Insurance Services from day 1; failure is illegal; verify your SI registration number.
- !Fixed-term contract renewed beyond the legally permitted consecutive renewals — after multiple renewals of the same role, courts may reclassify as permanent employment.
- !Work permit not obtained for non-EU employees — Third Country Nationals require a work and residence permit from the CRMD (Civil Registry and Migration Department); working without one is illegal.
- !Oral promises of benefits (housing, car, bonus) without written documentation — Cyprus courts require evidence; always insist on written offer letters and contracts.
Employment Rights
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