Education

Want to send your children to school?

caritascyprus

In Cyprus, like the rest of Europe, a good education is the key to your child’s future. But how do you know when and where to send them? We’ll try to answer your questions and provide details on the application process. If you need assistance, call us to make an appointment (visit our Weekly Schedule).

Primary and secondary education are mandatory in Cyprus. Attendance in the public sector schools is free for all classes from ages 5 to 18, and mandatory from ages 5 to 15. The language of instruction is Greek, while English is taught as a second language from first grade. — UNHCR Cyprus

Preschool

Prior to primary school (5 years), you have several options. Unfortunately, none of them are free. You will have to pay a monthly fee.

  • For children 0-3 years old, you will need a private nursery. The younger the child, the more expensive it will be. The cost can vary between 250 to 350 euros per month.
  • Children 3 years – 4 years 8 months may be accepted by government nurseries, which are attached to primary schools, if there is space available. The cost is 42 euros a month or 160 euros a month, depending on the authority in charge.

To register at a government nursery school:

You must find the school with a nursery nearest to your house and speak to the school directly. If there is no space available, the school will suggest registering your child for the next academic year. Registrations take place mid-January every year.

If the school has space for your child, you will need to fill out an application and submit it with the following documents:

  • ID documents of the child (residence permit, passport or Confirmation Letter and ARC)
  • Confirmation of address (contract of rent or a letter from Social Welfare)
  • Signatures of both parents
    • If you and your spouse live together, only one of you must sign the application at the bottom.
    • If you live apart and there is court order for shared custody, both of you must sign in paragraph (a) and court order must be attached. At the bottom of the application, the parent who makes the application signs.
    • If one spouse lives abroad, they must send an email to the other confirming that they give permission for the child to go to a Cypriot school per the primary parent’s choice.
    • If there is no contact with the spouse, the primary parent must sign in paragraph (a) and in the place of other’s signature, they must state that there is no contact and for how long.

Primary School

For children 5 – 12 years old (born 2012-2019), you should submit an applications right away at the District Education Office (see contact details at the end of this post). Your child will start school immediately.

For children who will soon turn 5 (born Jan-Aug 2020), you will need to submit an application to nearest school in January 2025 during the week of registration or to the District Education Office (see contact details at the end of this post) after direct registration is over. Your child will start school in September 2025.

Here is the application and a list of documents that must be attached.

  • ID documents of the child (residence permit, passport or Confirmation Letter and ARC)
  • Confirmation of address (contract of rent or a letter from Social Welfare)
  • Signatures of both parents
    • If you and your spouse live together, only one of you must sign the application at the bottom.
    • If you live apart and there is court order for shared custody, both of you must sign in paragraph (a) and court order must be attached. At the bottom of the application, the parent who makes the application signs.
    • If one spouse lives abroad, they must send an email to the other confirming that they give permission for the child to go to a Cypriot school per the primary parent’s choice.
    • If there is no contact with the spouse, the primary parent must sign in paragraph (a) and in the place of other’s signature, they must state that there is no contact and for how long.

IF YOU MOVE to another district/city, you need to request a transfer to a new primary school. The transfer application must be submitted to District Education Office (see contact details at the end of this post) with documents as above plus:

  • A letter of attendance from the current school.
  • Confirmation of the new address.

Secondary School

Secondary school is for children from 12 years up to 18 years old. If your child was born between 2006-2011, you need to proceed with an application asap at the District Education Office (see contact details at the end of this post). Your child will start school immediately.

As above, here is a list of the documentation that must be attached.

  • ID documents of the child (residence permit, passport or Confirmation Letter and ARC)
  • Confirmation of address (contract of rent or a letter from Social Welfare)
  • Signat
    • If you and your spouse live together, only one of you must sign the application at the bottom.
    • If you live apart and there is court order for shared custody, both of you must sign in paragraph (a) and court order must be attached. At the bottom of the application, the parent who makes the application signs.
    • If one spouse lives abroad, they must send an email to the other confirming that they give permission for the child to go to a Cypriot school per the primary parent’s choice.
    • If there is no contact with the spouse, the primary parent must sign in paragraph (a) and in the place of other’s signature, they must state that there is no contact and for how long.

IF YOU MOVE to another district/city, you need to request a transfer to a new primary school. The transfer application must be submitted to District Education Office with documents as above plus:

  • A letter of attendance from the current school.
  • Confirmation of the new address.

DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICE CONTACT DETAILS

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