Cyprus has well-defined employment laws that mandate various types of leave for employees, ensuring a balance between work and personal life. Understanding these regulations is crucial for both employers and employees to maintain compliance and foster a healthy work environment. The laws cover annual leave, public holidays, sick leave, and several types of parental leave, as well as other special circumstances.
Navigating the intricacies of Cyprus's leave policies can be complex, but this guide provides a comprehensive overview of the key entitlements and regulations in effect for 2025. It covers everything from minimum annual leave to the specifics of parental and sick leave, helping employers and employees alike stay informed and compliant.
Annual Vacation Leave
In Cyprus, employees are legally entitled to a minimum amount of paid annual leave. As of 2025, the minimum annual leave entitlement is typically 4 weeks (20 working days) for a full year of employment, based on a five-day workweek. This entitlement is enshrined in the Minimum Holiday with Pay Law of 1967 (as amended).
- Accrual: Leave is accrued throughout the year, typically at a rate of 1.67 days per month of employment.
- Usage: Employers and employees should agree on when leave is taken, considering the needs of both the business and the employee.
- Carryover: While encouraged to be used within the year, some employers may allow a limited carryover of unused leave to the following year, but this is subject to company policy and legal limits.
- Payment in Lieu: Payment in lieu of untaken vacation days is generally not permitted unless the employment contract is terminated.
Public Holidays
Cyprus observes a number of public holidays each year, providing employees with paid time off. The following are the public holidays typically observed in Cyprus:
| Date | Holiday Name |
|---|---|
| January 1 | New Year's Day |
| January 6 | Epiphany |
| Green Monday | Variable (50 days before Orthodox Easter) |
| March 25 | Greek National Day |
| April/May | Good Friday (Orthodox) |
| April/May | Holy Saturday (Orthodox) |
| April/May | Easter Monday (Orthodox) |
| May 1 | Labour Day |
| August 15 | Dormition of the Theotokos |
| October 1 | Cyprus Independence Day |
| December 24 | Christmas Eve |
| December 25 | Christmas Day |
| December 26 | Boxing Day |
- Observance: If a public holiday falls on a weekend, it is generally not moved to another day.
- Pay: Employees are entitled to their regular pay for public holidays.
- Working on Holidays: If an employee is required to work on a public holiday, they are typically entitled to additional compensation, such as double pay or time off in lieu.
Sick Leave
Cypriot law provides for sick leave entitlements to protect employees who are temporarily unable to work due to illness.
- Entitlement: Employees are entitled to sick leave, provided they submit a medical certificate from a registered doctor.
- Duration: The duration of sick leave can vary, but it is generally based on the employee's contributions to the Social Insurance Fund.
- Pay: During sick leave, employees receive sick pay from the Social Insurance Fund, typically a percentage of their regular earnings. The percentage varies but is usually around 60% of insurable earnings, subject to a maximum amount.
- Waiting Period: There is usually a waiting period of three days before sick pay commences.
- Employer's Role: Employers are required to report the employee's absence to the Social Insurance Fund.
Parental Leave
Cyprus offers several types of parental leave to support parents in caring for their children.
Maternity Leave
- Entitlement: Female employees are entitled to 18 weeks of maternity leave.
- Timing: Maternity leave usually starts 11 weeks before the expected week of childbirth.
- Pay: During maternity leave, the Social Insurance Fund pays maternity allowance, typically around 72% of the employee's insurable earnings, subject to a maximum amount.
- Additional Leave: An additional period of unpaid parental leave may be available following maternity leave.
Paternity Leave
- Entitlement: Fathers are entitled to two weeks of paternity leave, usually taken around the time of the child's birth.
- Pay: Paternity leave is also compensated by the Social Insurance Fund, similar to maternity leave, at approximately 72% of insurable earnings.
Adoption Leave
- Entitlement: Adoptive parents are entitled to adoption leave, with similar provisions to maternity leave. The specific duration and conditions may vary based on the child's age and the circumstances of the adoption.
- Pay: Adoption leave is also compensated by the Social Insurance Fund.
Parental Leave (General)
- Entitlement: In addition to maternity/paternity/adoption leave, parents are also entitled to unpaid parental leave to care for their children.
- Duration: Each parent is entitled to 18 weeks of unpaid parental leave per child, which can be taken until the child reaches the age of 8.
- Usage: This leave can be taken in a continuous period or in separate blocks.
Other Types of Leave
Besides the standard leave types, Cyprus law and employer policies may provide for other types of leave to accommodate various personal circumstances.
- Bereavement Leave: Employees are typically entitled to a few days of paid leave in the event of the death of a close family member. The exact duration may vary depending on the employer's policy.
- Marriage Leave: Some employers may offer a few days of paid leave for employees getting married.
- Study Leave: Employees may be granted unpaid or partially paid leave for educational purposes, especially if the studies are relevant to their job.
- Sabbatical Leave: While not legally mandated, some employers may offer sabbatical leave for long-serving employees, providing an extended period of unpaid leave for personal or professional development.
- Force Majeure Leave: Employees are entitled to a certain amount of unpaid leave per calendar year (up to 5 working days) for urgent family reasons in the event of sickness or accident making the employee's immediate presence indispensable.
