The Republic of Cyprus, known for its cultural heritage and breathtaking scenery, emphasizes employee welfare through its comprehensive leave policies. Understanding these regulations is essential for both employers and employees. Dive into the detailed leave entitlements in Cyprus to ensure effective management and a harmonious workplace. Employers looking to hire employees from Cyprus or through an Employer of Record (EOR) in Cyprus must be knowledgeable about these regulations to maintain compliance and foster an efficient workforce.

Annual Leave (Vacation)

• Employees in Republic of Cyprus working a five-day week receive 20 working days of annual leave per year, while those on a six-day week receive 24 working days.
• Additional leave days may be stipulated in the Employment Contract or relevant Collective Bargaining Agreement.
• Annual leave entitlement accrues after completing 48 weeks with a single employer.
• Unused leave days can be carried over with mutual agreement, capped at a maximum accumulation of 40 or 48 days over a two-year period.
• Wages during annual leave are paid either directly by the employer or by the Central Holiday Fund.

Public Holidays

• 1 Jan 2023 (Monday): New Year’s Day
• 6 Jan 2023 (Saturday): Epiphany
• 18 Mar 2024 (Monday): Green Monday
• 25 Mar 2024 (Monday): Greek Independence Day
• 1 Apr 2024 (Monday): National Day
• 1 May 2024 (Wednesday): Labour Day
• 3 May 2024 (Friday): Good Friday
• 6 May 2024 (Monday): Easter
• 7 May 2024 (Tuesday): Easter
• 24 Jun 2024 (Monday): Whit Monday (Pentecost)
• 15 Aug 2024 (Thursday): Assumption Day
• 1 Aug 2024 (Tuesday): Cyprus Independence Day
• 28 Oct 2024 (Monday): Ochi Day
• 25 Dec 2024 (Wednesday): Christmas Day
• 26 Dec 2024 (Thursday): Boxing Day

Sick Days

• Paid sick leave in the Republic of Cyprus begins from the fourth day of illness and is covered by Social Security.
• Employees in the Republic of Cyprus must furnish a medical certificate to the Social Security Administration within 48 hours of commencing sick leave.
• Social insurance compensates for sick pay up to 312 days, amounting to 60% of the employee's salary.
• This percentage might escalate if the employee has dependents like a spouse or children.

Maternity Leave

• Women employees in the Republic of Cyprus are granted maternity leave periods based on the number of children they have.
• The mandatory maternity leave duration is 11 weeks, with typically 2 weeks taken pre-delivery and the rest post-delivery.
• Maternity benefits are calculated based on the employee's average weekly earnings during the relevant tax year.
• These benefits include both a fundamental and an additional component, with the basic amount being 72% of the employee's salary, escalating to 80%, 90%, or 100%, depending on the number of dependents.
• If the employee receives earnings from their employer during maternity leave, the benefit is adjusted to ensure it does not exceed their full emoluments.
• The application for maternity allowance must be submitted within 21 days of the required start date, usually after the 25th week of pregnancy.
• Employees are also mandated to inform their employers of their pregnancy beforehand and furnish a medical certificate indicating the expected due date.

Paternity Leave

• Fathers in the Republic of Cyprus are entitled to a consecutive two-week paid leave within 16 weeks following the birth of their child.
• This leave is financed by the Social Insurance Fund and amounts to 75.20% of the employee's regular salary.

Parental Leave

• All employees with children in the Republic of Cyprus under the age of 8 are entitled to parental leave.
• The law allows eligible employees to take unpaid parental leave for up to eighteen weeks per child.

Adoption Leave

• Employees in the Republic of Cyprus seeking to adopt a child under twelve years old are granted a leave period of up to 16 consecutive weeks.
• This leave commences from the date they assume responsibility for the adopted child.

Bereavement Leave

• Employees in the Republic of Cyprus can take up to 5 days of paid leave following the passing of an immediate family member.
• This leave allowance applies in the event of the death of a close relative.

Military leave 

• Employees in the Republic of Cyprus summoned for military duty are protected by equivalent insurance provided by the Social Insurance Services.
• When called up for military service, employees receive coverage under a similar insurance scheme.

Hassle-Free Leave Policy Management in the Republic of Cyprus  with Gloroots

Managing employee leave can be a daunting task, especially as your business expands globally. Here at Gloroots, we understand the challenges involved in navigating leave policies, particularly in the context of the Republic of Cyprus's labor laws. Our platform is designed to ensure compliance, maintain accurate records, streamline leave requests, and generate insightful reports. By partnering with Gloroots, you can focus on business growth while we handle the intricacies of managing employee leave effectively. Reach out to us to explore how Gloroots can simplify your HR operations and enhance efficiency in the Republic of Cyprus.