A Short Guide to Working in Cyprus – Leave and Time Off
Cyprus law gives every employee — including refugees, subsidiary protection beneficiaries, and (in some cases) asylum seekers — a number of leave entitlements. Here’s a breakdown of what you’re entitled to and when.
Step 1: Annual and Sick Leave
🏖️Annual Paid Leave
The minimum entitlement is 20 working days for employees on a five-day week, or 24 working days for a six-day week — though individual or collective agreements, or employer custom, may grant more.
🤒Sick Leave
There’s no statutory minimum period an employer must pay directly, unless your individual or collective agreement says otherwise. However, if you’re covered by the Social Insurance Fund, you can claim sickness benefit for continuous sickness or injury for up to 12 months, plus one quarter.
Step 2: Leave Around Having a Child
🤰Maternity Leave
- 18 weeks of maternity leave (in the case of a third or later child, 4 further weeks)
- 8 weeks for adoption of a child, or an 8-week paid one-hour breastfeeding break for 9 months upon return to work in cases of adoption
- Any dismissal from the start of pregnancy until 5 months after the end of maternity leave (with certain exceptions) is a criminal offence
👨👦Paternity Leave
- 2 weeks of paid leave, to be taken within 16 weeks of the childbirth or adoption
- You must notify your employer at least 2 weeks in advance
- Paid directly by the Social Insurance Fund; some professions may top up the allowance to full salary
👪Parental Leave
- Each parent is entitled to 18 weeks total, taken up to the child’s 8th birthday
- Extended to 23 weeks for a widowed or single parent, and up to the child’s 18th birthday for children with disabilities
- Minimum of 5 weeks per calendar year, unless otherwise agreed
- You must give your employer at least 6 weeks’ written notice
🩺Carers’ Leave
Up to 5 days per year, unpaid, to provide personal care or support to a relative — or a person living in your household — who needs it due to a serious medical reason. You’ll need to notify your employer and provide a medical certificate.
Step 3: Leave for Emergencies
🚨Force Majeure Leave
Employees can take up to 7 days per year, unpaid, for urgent family reasons related to illness or accident that requires your immediate presence. You must notify your employer as soon as possible.
Your Next Steps
- Check which leave entitlements apply to your situation.
- Notify your employer in writing and in advance whenever the law requires it.
- Keep supporting documents (medical certificates, notices) in case you need them later.
- If your employer refuses a leave you’re entitled to, contact the Department of Labour Relations or an NGO for advice.
Source: Inclusive Labour Market — A Short Guide to Working in Cyprus for Refugees and Asylum Seekers, May 2023.