Leave Policy in the Republic of Cyprus

Cyprus sets clear statutory minimums for employee leave. Here are the key facts employers need to know.

• Annual leave is 20 working days for five-day-week employees and 24 days for six-day-week employees, accruing after 48 weeks with one employer.
• Maternity leave was extended to 22 weeks for first and second births under amendments effective March 2024, governed by the Protection of Maternity Law 100(I)/1997.
• Paternity leave is two consecutive weeks, paid at 72% of salary via the Social Insurance Fund, available within 16 weeks of the child's birth.
• Parental leave is 18 weeks per child under age 8, with 8 weeks paid, under Law 216(I)/2022.
• Sick leave paid by Social Insurance covers up to 312 days (approximately 156 working days), starting from the fourth day of illness at 60% of salary.

Gloroots supports companies employing staff in Cyprus through its Global Employer of Record (EOR) service. The platform tracks statutory leave entitlements, maintains employment records, and supports Benefits and Statutory Coverage without requiring a local entity.

Leave Policy at a Glance

Overview and Legal Basis for Leave in the Republic of Cyprus

Cyprus leave entitlements are governed by several statutes, each covering a distinct category of absence. The primary laws are the Annual Paid Leave Law, the Protection of Maternity Law 100(I)/1997, the Leave (Paternity, Parental, Caring, Force Majeure) and Flexible Work Arrangements for the Work-Life Balance Law 216(I)/2022, the Termination of Employment Law 24/1967, and the Medically Assisted Reproduction Law N69(I)/2015.

These statutes set the floor. Collective bargaining agreements (CBAs) and individual employment contracts can, and often do, provide more generous terms.

Cyprus law covers the following leave categories:

• Annual leave
• Sick leave
• Maternity leave
• Paternity leave
• Parental leave
• Adoption leave
• Force majeure leave
• Bereavement leave (primarily CBA-governed)
• Special personal leave (primarily CBA-governed)

Employers hiring in Cyprus through an entity or via a how does EOR work arrangement must apply statutory minimums as the baseline and verify any applicable CBA before setting contract terms.

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Annual Leave (Earned / Privilege Leave)

The Annual Paid Leave Law sets the statutory minimum for annual leave in Cyprus. Employees working a five-day week receive 20 working days per year. Employees on a six-day week receive 24 working days per year.

Entitlement accrues after completing 48 weeks with a single employer. Unused leave may be carried over by mutual agreement, subject to a maximum accumulation of 40 or 48 days over a two-year period, depending on the working week arrangement.

Annual leave continues to accrue during the following absences:

• Maternity leave
• Paternity leave
• Parental leave
• Sick leave
• Force majeure leave

On termination, the employer must pay out all accrued but unused annual leave at the employee's regular salary rate. Wages during annual leave are paid either directly by the employer or through the Central Holiday Fund.

Employees must notify the employer in advance before taking annual leave. The specific notice period is governed by the employment contract or applicable CBA. CBAs and individual contracts may grant entitlements above the statutory minimum, so employers should verify the applicable agreement before setting leave terms. For a comparable EU reference point, see the leave policy in Germany.

Public Holidays

Cyprus observes 15 national public holidays each year. These are paid days off and are not deducted from an employee's annual leave entitlement. If a public holiday falls on a weekend, adjustment rules may apply depending on the applicable collective bargaining agreement or employment contract. Employees required to work on a public holiday are entitled to premium pay, compensatory time off, or both.

The table below lists Cyprus public holidays for 2025. Moveable feasts are calculated annually; the 2025 dates are confirmed below.

This table covers the 2025 calendar year and should be reviewed annually, particularly for moveable feasts tied to the Orthodox Easter cycle.

Sick Leave

Cyprus sets a statutory minimum for sick leave. Employers may enhance these terms through individual employment contracts or collective bargaining agreements.

For the first three days of illness, the employer pays the employee's full salary. From day four onward, the Social Insurance Fund covers sick pay at 60% of the employee's insurable earnings. This benefit continues for up to 156 days per sick leave period. The percentage may increase if the employee has dependents such as a spouse or children.

Self-employed persons are eligible for Social Insurance sick pay from day nine of illness onward, rather than day four.

Employees must submit a medical certificate to the Social Insurance Administration within 48 hours of starting sick leave. Absence on sick leave does not interrupt the accrual of annual leave entitlement; employees continue to accrue annual leave during a qualifying sick leave period.

For a comparison of how statutory sick pay obligations differ across jurisdictions, see the leave policy in the UK.

Casual Leave

Cyprus does not have a statutory casual leave category separate from annual leave. Short-notice personal absences are handled through an employee's annual leave entitlement.

Special personal leave for events such as weddings, funerals beyond statutory bereavement, or caregiving responsibilities exists as a non-statutory category. Its availability and duration are governed by the individual employment contract or a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

This leave is typically unpaid unless the applicable CBA specifies otherwise. Duration is at employer discretion. Employers should document any such arrangements clearly in the employment contract to avoid ambiguity.

Note: Casual leave is non-statutory in Cyprus. Terms are governed by the employment contract or CBA, not by law.

Maternity Leave

Cyprus provides statutory maternity leave under the Protection of Maternity Law 100(I)/1997, as amended by Law 216(I)/2022. Entitlements were updated in March 2024.

Employees qualify after completing a minimum of 26 weeks of social insurance contributions, with at least 0.50 of an insurance unit in basic insurance.

Standard entitlements by birth order

Leave must start no later than 2 weeks before the expected delivery date. At least 8 weeks must be taken after birth. The mandatory minimum is 11 weeks in all standard cases.

Employers managing maternity leave obligations across multiple countries benefit from centralised payroll and compliance tracking. Gloroots EOR services support statutory benefit administration and accurate payroll execution in Cyprus without requiring a local entity.

Paternity Leave

Fathers in Cyprus are entitled to two consecutive weeks of paid paternity leave, taken within 16 weeks of the child's birth. This entitlement is statutory under Law 216(I)/2022.

The leave is funded by the Social Insurance Fund at 72% of weekly insurable earnings. Eligibility requires a minimum of six months of continuous employment with the same employer.

Fathers must give at least two weeks' written notice to their employer. The entitlement applies regardless of marital status and also covers cases of stillbirth. If the mother dies during maternity leave, the father inherits the remaining maternity weeks.

Adoption and Surrogacy Leave

Cyprus updated its adoption leave entitlements in March 2024. Employees adopting for the first or second time receive 20 weeks of leave. A third or subsequent adoption qualifies for 24 weeks.

Employers must be notified at least six weeks before the adoption. Adoptive mothers who meet Social Insurance Fund contribution conditions are eligible for maternity allowance during this period.

For surrogacy arrangements, the commissioning mother is entitled to 22 weeks of maternity benefit. The surrogate mother receives 14 consecutive weeks of maternity benefit. These provisions are governed by the Medically Assisted Reproduction Law N69(I)/2015 and Social Insurance Services rules.

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Bereavement Leave

Cyprus has no specific statute governing bereavement leave. Entitlements are set by employment contracts or collective bargaining agreements (CBAs).

Standard practice provides 5 days of paid leave for the death of a child or spouse, 3 days for a parent or sibling, and 1 day for any other family member.

Employers should confirm applicable entitlements in the relevant contract or CBA before processing bereavement leave requests.

Other Leave Types

Several additional leave categories apply in Cyprus, most introduced or updated under Law 216(I)/2022.

Carer's leave: Employees may take up to 5 days of unpaid leave per year to care for a seriously ill relative or household member. A medical certificate is required.

Force majeure leave: Up to 7 days of unpaid leave per year is available for urgent family emergencies involving a dependent who is ill or has been in an accident. This can be taken as a single period or split across the year.

Flexible working arrangements: Parents of children up to age 8 have the right to request telework, flexible hours, or reduced hours. Employees also have the right to revert to their original arrangement after the flexible period ends.

• Jury duty leave: Paid leave is required when an employee is selected for jury service.
• Voting leave: No statutory voting leave exists in Cyprus. Employers have no legal obligation to grant time off for voting.
• Military leave: Male citizens are required to complete 14 months of compulsory service at age 18. As of 2025, women may volunteer for a 6-month term. Employers must grant leave for the full duration of service.

Childbirth grant: The Social Insurance Fund pays a one-time lump sum upon the birth of a child. The amounts effective October 1, 2024 are: 1,000 euros for the first child, 1,500 euros for the second, 2,000 euros for the third, and 2,500 euros for the fourth child or more.

Carry-Forward and Leave Encashment Rules

Under the Annual Paid Leave Law, employers in Cyprus must pay out all accrued but unused annual leave at the employee's regular salary rate upon termination. This obligation applies regardless of the reason for termination.

Annual leave continues to accrue during authorised absences, including maternity, paternity, parental, sick, and force majeure leave. Employees do not lose entitlement simply because they were absent for a protected reason.

Encashment during active employment is not a statutory right in Cyprus. Employees cannot demand a cash payment in lieu of leave while still employed. The payout obligation arises only when the employment relationship ends.

For comparison, see how leave policy in Poland handles carry-forward and encashment rules under a different European framework.

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Best Practices for Managing Leave Compliantly in the Republic of Cyprus

Compliance with Cyprus leave law requires consistent record-keeping and active monitoring of both statutory rules and collective bargaining agreements (CBAs). Four practices reduce exposure significantly.

• Track statutory entitlements and CBA-enhanced entitlements separately for each leave type. Mixing the two creates gaps in records and audit risk.
• Communicate all leave entitlements in writing at onboarding, referencing the specific statutes and CBA provisions that apply to each employee.
• Document every leave request and approval with timestamps and supporting certificates, particularly for sick and maternity leave where certificates are legally required.
• Review applicable CBA provisions annually. Bereavement and casual leave are CBA-governed, so active monitoring is necessary. Offering flexibility above the statutory floor also supports talent retention.

Using employer of record software helps teams track entitlements, log approvals, and maintain audit-ready records across all leave categories.

Managing Leave Policy in the Republic of Cyprus with Gloroots

Cyprus leave law spans multiple statutes, including the Annual Paid Leave Law, Law 100(I)/1997, and Law 216(I)/2022. Each statute carries distinct obligations, and coordinating them with Social Insurance Fund benefit offsets makes manual tracking error-prone.

Gloroots manages leave balance tracking, request and approval workflows, and payroll integration for Social Insurance Fund benefit coordination. The platform also supports statutory reporting, so records stay accurate and auditable without manual reconciliation.

For companies hiring in Cyprus without a local entity, Gloroots provides best employer of record guidance alongside its Global Employer of Record (EOR) service. This enables entity-free employment with local execution and centralized governance across your full Cyprus headcount.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Leave Policy in the Republic of Cyprus

How many annual leave days are employees entitled to in Cyprus?

Employees working a five-day week receive 20 working days of annual leave per year. Those on a six-day week receive 24 working days.

Entitlement accrues after 48 weeks with a single employer. A collective bargaining agreement or employment contract may provide additional days beyond the statutory minimum.

How are public holidays treated under Cyprus leave law?

Cyprus recognises a set of public holidays each calendar year, including New Year's Day, Greek Independence Day, Easter Monday, and Christmas Day.

If a public holiday falls on a rest day, employees are generally entitled to a substitute day off. Public holidays do not count against an employee's annual leave balance.

Who is eligible for paternity leave and how is it paid?

Fathers are entitled to two consecutive weeks of paid paternity leave, taken within 16 weeks of the child's birth.

The Social Insurance Fund finances this leave at 75.20% of the employee's regular salary. The employer is not required to top up the benefit beyond the statutory rate.

What is the current maternity leave duration in Cyprus?

The mandatory maternity leave period is 18 weeks following Law 216(I)/2022, which extended the previous 11-week entitlement.

Benefits are paid by the Social Insurance Fund and include a basic component of 72% of salary, rising to 80%, 90%, or 100% depending on the number of dependents.

Is any part of parental leave paid in Cyprus?

Employees with children under eight years old are entitled to up to 18 weeks of parental leave per child.

A portion of this leave is paid through the Social Insurance Fund following the 2022 legislative amendments. The paid component applies to eligible employees who meet the required contribution thresholds.

Does the employer pay sick leave for the first three days of illness?

Sick pay in Cyprus begins from the fourth day of illness and is covered by Social Insurance, not the employer directly.

For days one through three, no statutory sick pay obligation falls on the employer unless a collective agreement or employment contract provides otherwise. Employees must submit a medical certificate to the Social Security Administration within 48 hours of starting sick leave.

How many days of annual leave are employees entitled to in Cyprus?

Employees in Cyprus working a five-day week receive 20 working days of annual leave per year. Those on a six-day week receive 24 working days under the Annual Paid Leave Law.

Employment contracts or collective bargaining agreements may provide additional days above these statutory minimums.

Are public holidays in Cyprus paid, and do they count against annual leave?

Public holidays in Cyprus are paid days off. They are not deducted from an employee's annual leave entitlement.

Employees required to work on a public holiday are entitled to premium pay, compensatory time off, or both, depending on the applicable employment terms or collective agreement.

What is the paternity leave entitlement in Cyprus and who pays for it?

Fathers in Cyprus are entitled to two consecutive weeks of paid paternity leave, taken within 16 weeks of the child's birth. The Social Insurance Fund covers this leave at 72% of weekly insurable earnings.

Eligibility requires six months of continuous employment with the same employer and two weeks' written notice before the leave begins.

How long is maternity leave in Cyprus after the March 2024 update?

As of March 2024, maternity leave in Cyprus is 22 consecutive weeks for the first and second births, and 26 weeks for the third and any subsequent births.

The mandatory minimum remains 11 weeks, with at least 2 weeks taken before birth and 8 weeks after delivery.

Is parental leave in Cyprus paid or unpaid?

Parental leave in Cyprus is partly paid. Of the 18 weeks available per child, 8 weeks are paid by the Social Insurance Fund, a provision introduced in October 2022.

To qualify for the paid portion, an employee must have completed at least 12 months of employment within the previous 24 months. The remaining weeks are unpaid unless the employer agrees otherwise.

Who pays for sick leave in Cyprus and from which day?

The employer covers full salary for the first three days of illness. From day four onward, the Social Insurance Fund pays 60% of insurable earnings, rising if the employee has dependents, for up to 156 days per sick leave period.

Employees must submit a medical certificate to the Social Security Administration within 48 hours of falling ill.

Can unused annual leave be carried forward or paid out in Cyprus?

Unused annual leave can be carried forward by mutual agreement between employer and employee. The cap is 40 days for a five-day week or 48 days for a six-day week, accumulated over a two-year period.

On termination, all accrued but unused annual leave must be paid out at the employee's regular salary rate.