Guide : Maternity Leave and Maternity Allowance

This guide explains how to apply for maternity leave, maternity allowance and the child grant in Cyprus. It includes information for employed women, unemployed mothers and asylum seekers.

1. Understand your rights

In Cyprus, maternity leave, maternity allowance and the child grant are three different forms of support.

• Maternity leave: The period during which an employed woman takes leave from work before and after giving birth.
• Maternity allowance: A payment administered through Social Insurance Services for eligible mothers during maternity leave.
• Child grant: A separate, one-time payment that eligible families may receive after the birth of a child.

Maternity leave generally lasts 18 weeks. Employed women must begin their leave at least two weeks before their expected delivery date. Eligibility for maternity allowance and the child grant depends on the applicable conditions.

2. When should you apply?

During pregnancy

Prepare your documents and plan your maternity leave. Maternity leave may begin before the expected delivery date, subject to the applicable rules. Confirm your exact start date with your employer and Social Insurance Services.

When your maternity leave begins

Submit your maternity allowance application as soon as possible. The application deadline indicated in the guidance is 21 days after you stop working. Do not delay submitting your application.

After the birth

If you applied for maternity allowance before the baby was born, submit the required Declaration of Birth and a copy of the birth certificate to Social Insurance Services.

3. How to apply for maternity allowance

Follow these steps to apply for maternity allowance.

Step 1: Prepare your documents

Gather the documents required for your application. These may include:

• Your identification and relevant residence documents.
• Medical confirmation of your expected delivery date.
• Your bank account details (IBAN).
• The completed maternity allowance application : Maternity Allowance Form.

Check with Social Insurance Services whether additional documents are required in your circumstances.

Step 2: Complete the application

If you can access online government services, visit gov.cy to find the relevant application.

If you are an asylum seeker, you can use the paper form.

Step 3: Submit your application on time

Apply as soon as possible after your maternity leave begins and respect the applicable deadline 21 days after stopping work.

Step 4: Provide your bank details

Include a copy of your IBAN with your application so that your payment can be processed if you are eligible.

Step 5: Submit the birth documents

If you applied before giving birth, submit the required Declaration of Birth and a copy of your baby’s birth certificate to Social Insurance Services after delivery.

How much is maternity allowance?

The amount of maternity allowance depends on the applicable Social Insurance rules and your individual circumstances. The payment rate indicated in the guidance is 70% of salary, but the amount you receive may differ depending on your eligibility and contribution record.

Contact Social Insurance Services to confirm your entitlement and the amount payable.

4. Documents checklist

Before submitting your application, check that you have prepared the following:

• Completed maternity allowance application.
• Medical document confirming your expected delivery date.
• Identification and relevant residence documents.
• Copy of your bank account IBAN.
• Declaration of Birth, to be submitted after delivery if required.
• Copy of your baby’s birth certificate, to be submitted after delivery if required.

The exact documentation may vary depending on your circumstances. Confirm the requirements with Social Insurance Services before submitting your application.

5. What if you are an asylum seeker?

Asylum-seeking mothers should pay particular attention to the application procedure.

Applying for maternity allowance

Use the paper maternity allowance application, and submit it to the Social Insurance Office. Ask the Social Insurance Office to confirm the documents required for your specific situation.

If you receive social welfare during pregnancy

Ask your doctor for a document confirming your expected delivery date and submit it to the Social Welfare Office.

After your baby is born

Obtain your baby’s birth certificate and follow the procedure for registering your child as an asylum seeker.

If you receive social welfare benefits, take your child’s Confirmation Letter and your Alien Book to the Social Welfare Office to update your family records.

If you are unemployed

If you are an unemployed mother, check the current requirements with the relevant authorities. The guidance indicates that registration at the Labour Office or obtaining a labour card may not be necessary until your child is five months old in the circumstances described. Confirm whether this applies to your situation.

6. How to apply for the €1,000 child grant

The child grant is separate from maternity allowance.

Eligible applicants may receive a one-time payment of €1,000 per child, subject to the applicable eligibility conditions.

To apply:

1. Wait until your baby is born.
2. Find the child grant application through gov.cy if you are eligible to apply online.
3. If you are an asylum seeker, you can use the Child Grant paper form.
4. Prepare a copy of your IBAN.
5. Submit your application within 12 months of your baby’s birth, as indicated in the guidance.

If you apply for maternity allowance before the birth, ask Social Insurance Services whether you can submit your child grant application at the same time. You may still need to provide the birth documents after delivery.

Always confirm your eligibility and the current application procedure with Social Insurance Services.

7. Important advice before leaving your job

Do not resign during pregnancy without first checking how this could affect your benefits.

Leaving your job may affect your entitlement to maternity allowance or other benefits, depending on your circumstances.

If you are unable to work before your maternity leave begins, ask your doctor whether you may qualify for sickness benefit. Contact Social Insurance Services to understand your options before making a decision.

8. Where to get help

Social Insurance Services

Contact Social Insurance Services for information about maternity allowance applications, paper forms, contribution requirements, bank details and benefit eligibility.

Website: gov.cy

Social Welfare Services

Contact Social Welfare Services if you already receive social welfare benefits, need to update your family records or have questions about support following your baby’s birth.

Official government information

Visit gov.cy to find the relevant government services and current application procedures.

Quick summary

Your situation	What to do
You are employed and pregnant	Plan your maternity leave and apply for maternity allowance promptly.
You are an asylum seeker	Fill the paper application
You applied before the birth	Submit the required birth documents after delivery.
Your baby has been born	Apply for the child grant if eligible, within the applicable deadline.
You receive social welfare	Inform Social Welfare Services about your pregnancy and update your records after the birth.
You cannot work before maternity leave	Ask your doctor about sickness benefit before considering resignation.

Important note: This guide provides general information and does not determine individual eligibility. Benefit amounts, deadlines, contribution conditions and documentation requirements should be confirmed with the relevant authorities, particularly for asylum seekers and applicants whose circumstances may differ.

For more information, you can also read our article: Supporting Families: Key Information on Maternity Leave, Registering Your Child as an Asylum Seeker, and Accessing Benefits.