The Honest Truth About Minimum Wage and Worker Rights in Cyprus

Why Understanding Worker Rights in Cyprus Matters

Cyprus has a body of employment law that protects workers, but many employees — especially those new to the island or working in informal sectors — don't know what they're entitled to. Employers don't always volunteer this information. And when workers don't know their rights, abuses happen: unpaid overtime, illegal deductions, unfair dismissal, and wages that fall below the legal minimum.

This guide cuts through the legal jargon and tells you what Cyprus employment law actually says about minimum wage, working hours, holiday entitlement, maternity rights, and what to do if your employer isn't playing by the rules.

The Cyprus Minimum Wage in 2026

Cyprus introduced a statutory national minimum wage — a major shift from the previous sector-by-sector minimum that left many workers unprotected. Here is what you need to know:

The Current Minimum Wage

As of 2024, the national minimum wage in Cyprus was set at €1,000 gross per month for employees who have completed six months with the same employer. Employees in their first six months of employment are entitled to €900 gross per month.

These figures apply to full-time employees (38 hours per week). For part-time workers, the minimum is calculated proportionally based on hours worked.

Who Is Covered?

The national minimum wage covers most private sector employees in Cyprus. However, certain occupations were previously covered by sector-specific minimum wages under Ministerial Orders. These sectors include:

• Domestic workers (cleaners, housekeepers, caregivers)

• Security guards

• Retail and clerical workers

• Nursery and childcare workers

• Petrol station attendants

If you work in one of these sectors, check the applicable Ministerial Order, as it may provide for different minimum rates — some of which may be higher than the national minimum.

Is the Minimum Wage a Living Wage?

Honestly — for many people living in Nicosia or Limassol, where rents have risen sharply, €1,000 gross per month leaves very little after tax and housing costs. Many workers in minimum wage roles supplement their income with overtime, second jobs, or shared accommodation. This is a structural issue the government acknowledges, and the minimum wage figure is subject to annual review.

Working Hours and Overtime Rights

Standard Working Hours

The standard working week in Cyprus is 38 hours, typically 8 hours per day Monday to Friday with a half-day on Saturday for some sectors. The law also caps the maximum average working week at 48 hours including overtime, calculated over a reference period.

Rest Breaks and Daily Rest

• Workers are entitled to a rest break of at least 30 minutes during shifts longer than 6 hours

• A minimum of 11 consecutive hours of rest must be given between working days

• Workers are entitled to at least one day off per week (typically Sunday)

Overtime Pay

Overtime pay rules depend on whether a Ministerial Order applies to your sector. In general:

• Hours worked beyond the standard working week should be compensated at a premium rate — commonly 1.5x the hourly rate for weekday overtime and 2x for Sunday or public holiday work

• Some employment contracts substitute overtime pay for time off in lieu (TOIL)

• If your contract doesn't specify an overtime rate, the terms negotiated individually or via collective agreement apply

Red flag to watch for: Some employers present excessive hours as "part of the job" or "company culture" without additional pay. This may be a labour law violation. Track your hours and compare them to your contract.

Annual Leave Entitlement

Under the Annual Paid Leave Law, employees in Cyprus are entitled to 20 working days of paid annual leave per year (based on a 5-day working week). If you work 6 days a week, this rises to 24 working days.

Key points:

• Leave entitlement accrues from your first day of employment

• Employers cannot deny leave without good reason

• Unused leave must be compensated financially if you leave the company or if the employer prevents you from taking it

• Public holidays are separate from annual leave — you are entitled to paid time off on Cyprus public holidays

Cyprus Public Holidays 2026

Cyprus observes the following national public holidays:

• New Year's Day — 1 January

• Epiphany — 6 January

• Clean Monday — moveable (Orthodox calendar)

• Greek Independence Day — 25 March

• Cyprus National Day — 1 April

• Good Friday — moveable

• Orthodox Easter Sunday & Monday — moveable

• Labour Day — 1 May

• Pentecost Monday — moveable

• Assumption of the Virgin Mary — 15 August

• Cyprus Independence Day — 1 October

• Greek National Day — 28 October

• Christmas Day — 25 December

• Boxing Day — 26 December

Sick Leave and Illness Rights

Cyprus has a Social Insurance system that provides sick pay for employees who are registered and contributing to the scheme. Key provisions:

• To claim sickness benefit, you must be registered with the Social Insurance Services and have sufficient contribution periods

• Sickness benefit is paid at approximately 60–80% of insurable earnings, depending on your contribution history

• You must obtain a medical certificate from a doctor to claim benefit

• There is typically a 3-day waiting period before sickness benefit kicks in

• Some employers supplement Social Insurance sick pay to ensure you receive your full salary — check your employment contract for details

Maternity and Parental Rights

Employed mothers in Cyprus are entitled to 18 weeks of maternity leave, with at least 2 weeks to be taken before the expected birth date. Maternity benefit is paid through Social Insurance at a rate based on insurable earnings.

Key protections:

• It is illegal to dismiss a pregnant employee or an employee on maternity leave

• Fathers are entitled to 2 weeks of paternity leave

• Parental leave (unpaid) of up to 18 weeks per child is available to parents of children under 8

Termination and Redundancy Rights

Notice Periods

The required notice period for termination depends on your length of service:

• 0–6 months: 1 week notice

• 6 months–1 year: 2 weeks notice

• 1–2 years: 3 weeks notice

• 2–3 years: 4 weeks notice

• 3–5 years: 5 weeks notice

• 5–10 years: 6 weeks notice

• Over 10 years: 8 weeks notice

Your employer must give you written notice, and you are entitled to pay in lieu of notice if they want you to leave immediately.

Redundancy Pay

If you are made redundant, you may be entitled to redundancy compensation from the Redundancy Fund (administered by the Social Insurance Services), provided you:

• Have been employed continuously for at least 26 weeks

• Were not dismissed for disciplinary reasons

• Have not unreasonably refused alternative employment offered by your employer

Redundancy payment rates are calculated based on length of service and last salary, up to a statutory maximum. Your employer files the claim on your behalf, but you can also file directly if they fail to do so.

Unfair Dismissal

The Termination of Employment Law protects employees against unfair dismissal. You have the right to challenge a dismissal you believe was unjust. Claims are filed with the Industrial Disputes Court (Εργατικό Δικαστήριο). Time limits apply — typically within 3 months of dismissal — so act promptly if you believe your termination was unfair.

Deductions from Your Salary

Your employer can only make deductions from your salary in limited, legally permitted circumstances:

• Income tax (PAYE)

• Social Insurance contributions (employer and employee portions are separate)

• GESY (General Healthcare System) contributions

• Deductions you have consented to in writing (e.g. pension scheme contributions)

• Overpayments of salary (subject to rules)

Illegal deductions include charges for training, uniform, or equipment that reduce your pay below minimum wage. If your employer is making unexplained or unauthorised deductions, this is a serious issue to address.

Social Insurance and GESY Contributions

Both employees and employers in Cyprus are required to contribute to the Social Insurance Fund and the General Healthcare System (GESY):

• Employee Social Insurance contribution: 8.8% of gross earnings

• Employer Social Insurance contribution: 8.8% of gross earnings (paid by employer on top of your salary)

• Employee GESY contribution: 2.65% of gross earnings

• Employer GESY contribution: 2.90%

These contributions entitle you to Social Insurance benefits including sick pay, maternity pay, unemployment benefit, and eventually pension. Always verify that your employer is actually registering and paying contributions on your behalf — you can check via the Social Insurance Services website.

Common Worker Rights Violations in Cyprus

Based on complaints filed with labour authorities, the most frequent violations include:

• Unpaid wages: Particularly in hospitality, construction, and domestic work

• Failure to register employees: Paying workers cash-in-hand without Social Insurance registration denies them benefits and is illegal

• Excessive working hours without compensation

• Deducting "training costs" from salaries

• Misclassifying employees as self-employed to avoid employer contributions

• Failure to pay accrued annual leave on termination

What to Do If Your Rights Are Being Violated

If you believe your employer is violating Cyprus employment law:

1. Document everything: Keep payslips, contracts, text messages, and records of hours worked

2. Raise it internally first: Sometimes a formal written complaint to HR resolves the issue without escalation

3. Contact the Department of Labour Relations: They handle complaints about employment terms and working conditions

4. Contact the Social Insurance Services: If your employer is not registering or paying contributions

5. Consult a labour lawyer: For serious violations or unfair dismissal, legal advice is worth the cost

6. File with the Industrial Disputes Court: For unfair dismissal or unpaid wages claims

You have legal protection against retaliation for raising legitimate complaints. Dismissing an employee for asserting their legal rights is itself a ground for an unfair dismissal claim.

Know Your Rights, Know Your Worth

Cyprus has solid worker protections on paper. The challenge is knowing they exist and being willing to enforce them. Whether you're starting a new job in Nicosia, working in hospitality in Paphos, or taking a role at an iGaming company in Limassol, the baseline protections described in this guide apply to you.

Looking for a job that respects your rights from day one? Browse current vacancies on Evresio — all listings are from verified Cyprus employers operating within the law.