In Cyprus, employees are granted the right to paid vacation leave under the Annual Holidays with Pay Law.

Minimum Vacation Entitlement

For employees working a 5-day week, they are entitled to a minimum of 20 working days of paid annual leave. On the other hand, those working a 6-day week are entitled to a minimum of 24 working days of paid annual leave.

Prerequisites and Accrual

To qualify for the full annual leave entitlement, an employee must have at least 48 weeks of continuous employment with the same employer. The leave accrues in proportion to the time worked. If an employee has worked less than 48 weeks, their leave entitlement is reduced accordingly. Temporary absences, such as those due to sickness, maternity leave, or force majeure, are considered as working periods for the calculation of leave.

Compensation During Leave

During periods of vacation leave, employers are required to pay employees their regular salary.

Additional Leave and Considerations

The Annual Holidays with Pay Law also preserves the right of employees to longer vacation leave periods if these are granted under other laws, agreements, or workplace customs. Provisions are also in place surrounding the carry over and potential payout of unused leave, depending on circumstances and agreements.

Cyprus celebrates a variety of national, religious, and cultural holidays. These holidays are officially recognized and are observed throughout the country.

Fixed Date Holidays

• New Year's Day (January 1st): This holiday marks the beginning of the calendar year.
• Epiphany (January 6th): This Christian holiday celebrates the baptism of Jesus and the revelation of God as the Holy Trinity.
• Green Monday (February/March): This day marks the start of Lent for Greek Orthodox Christians. The exact date changes every year.
• Greek Independence Day (March 25th): This day commemorates the start of the Greek War of Independence against the Ottoman Empire.
• Cyprus National Day (April 1st): This day marks the beginning of the independence struggle against British colonial rule.
• Labor Day (May 1st): This day celebrates the contributions of workers worldwide.
• Dormition of the Virgin Mary (August 15th): This is a significant religious holiday in the Greek Orthodox Church.
• Cyprus Independence Day (October 1st): This day marks Cyprus' independence from British rule in 1960.
• Ochi Day (October 28th): This day celebrates Greece's rejection of the Italian ultimatum during World War II.
• Christmas Eve (December 24th): This is the day before Christmas Day.
• Christmas Day (December 25th): This Christian holiday celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.
• Boxing Day (December 26th): This is the day after Christmas Day.

Variable Date Holidays

• Good Friday (Orthodox): This Christian holiday commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The exact date changes every year.
• Easter Sunday (Orthodox): This Christian holiday celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The exact date changes every year.
• Easter Monday (Orthodox): This is the day after Easter Sunday. The exact date changes every year.
• Kataklysmos (Festival of the Flood) / Pentecost Monday (Orthodox): This is a religious and cultural festival celebrated with water events. The exact date changes every year.

In Cyprus, labor laws ensure that employees are entitled to various types of leave, covering circumstances such as illness, family responsibilities, and personal time off.

Vacation Leave

Employees are entitled to a minimum vacation leave of four weeks (20 working days for a 5-day workweek, 24 working days for a 6-day workweek) as mandated by the Annual Holidays with Pay Law. This entitlement is granted after an employee completes 48 weeks of continuous service with an employer. During vacation leave periods, employees receive their regular salary.

Sick Leave

Employees become eligible for sick leave upon completion of 26 weeks of continuous employment. The specific duration of paid sick leave may vary based on employment tenure and collective agreements. Depending on employment duration, the employer and/or the Social Insurance Fund may provide sick pay.

Maternity Leave

Female employees are generally entitled to 18 weeks of maternity leave, typically divided into periods before and after childbirth. Eligible employees receive maternity allowance from the Social Insurance Fund.

Paternity Leave

Male employees are entitled to two consecutive weeks of paternity leave following the birth or adoption of a child. Paternity leave is paid, with compensation typically covered by the Social Insurance Fund.

Parental Leave

Each parent is entitled to 18 weeks of unpaid parental leave to care for a child until they reach the age of eight. This leave can be taken by either parent at any point in portions during the designated period.

Other Types of Leave

Employees are entitled to paid leave in the event of the death of close family members, known as Bereavement Leave. Employees may also be entitled to short-term leave due to unforeseen and uncontrollable circumstances, known as Force Majeure Leave. Additionally, employees may receive short-term paid leave for events such as marriage, medical examinations, or civic duties under certain circumstances, known as Special Circumstance Leave.