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Introduction
Over the years, Cyprus has emerged as a prime destination for enterprises seeking global expansion. This trend is particularly noticeable in pharmaceuticals, fossil fuels, and renewable energy. In 2023, the GDP of this country was recorded at $42 billion.
Cyprus offers several advantages for international business expansion. It includes access to a diverse talent pool, a transparent business ecosystem, low set-up costs, and attractive tax exemptions.
However, to avail of these benefits, you need a clear understanding of the local laws and regulations that guide the employee-employment relationship in this country.
One crucial aspect of these employment laws is the leave policy in Cyprus. It includes sick leave, adoption leave, maternity leave, and more.
So, here is a detailed account of the various types of leaves offered to employees in Cyprus to help you navigate a vital aspect of the country’s employment laws.
Adoption leave
- Under the leave policy in Cyprus, employees who wish to adopt a child under 12 are eligible for a maximum of 16 consecutive weeks of unpaid leave.
- Adoption leave in Cyprus begins from the date they commence caring for the adopted child.
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Earned leave
Under the leave policy in Cyprus, employees typically accrue earned leave, commonly referred to as annual leave, as part of their employment benefits. It includes:
- For a five-day work week: Employees are entitled to a minimum of 20 days of annual earned leave in Cyprus.
- For a six-day work week: Employees are entitled to a minimum of 24 days of annual earned leave.
Maternity leave
- According to statutory regulations, female employees are entitled to 18 consecutive weeks of maternity leave in Cyprus.
- Of these, 11 weeks are mandatory and start two weeks before the anticipated week of confinement.
Parental leave
- Each employee can take up to six weeks off for each child as parental leave.
- Additionally, parental leave in Cyprus can be taken for a minimum of one day.
- The maximum duration of leave that can be taken depends on the specific year.
- This means that, depending on the year, employees can take parental leave for three to five weeks.
Paternity leave
- Under the labor laws, employees are granted a minimum of two continuous weeks of paid leave as paternity leave in Cyprus.
- It should be taken within 16 weeks of the child’s birth.
The Social Insurance Fund (SIF) compensates paternity leave in Cyprus at 75.20% of the employee’s usual salary.
Public Holidays
- Under the labor laws, employees enjoy 16 days of public holidays in Cyprus.
Sick leave
- The labor laws of Cyprus mandate sickness benefits for up to 156 days for each period of discontinued work.
- If the inability to work is temporary, the benefit period can be prolonged to a maximum of 312 days, with compensation amounting to 60% of the employee’s regular salary.
- The compensation rate can also be increased if the individual has a dependent spouse or children.
Casual leave
- Currently, there are no provisions for casual leave in Cyprus.
Unpaid leave
In 2022, Cyprus adopted a new harmonization law designed to enhance the work-life balance for working parents and caregivers. Among its provisions, this law includes the entitlement to unpaid leave for employees. It includes:
Carer’s leave
- Under this provision, employees can take time off from work to provide significant support or care to a relative or a person residing in the same household who requires substantial assistance due to a severe medical condition.
- Employees are entitled to five working days of unpaid leave per year.
- To obtain it, individuals must present their employer with an appropriate medical certificate confirming the need for care or support.
Force Majeure absence
- Employees are granted seven working days of unpaid leave per year for situations of force majeure concerning urgent family matters such as illness or accidents.
Other leaves
Bereavement leave
- Employees are granted five days of paid bereavement leave if a direct family member or immediate relative passes away.
Military leave
- Military leave is granted to employees when they are summoned to fulfill their duties in the military.
- During this period, they are provided with assimilated insurance coverage, ensuring that certain benefits, such as health insurance, are maintained even while serving in the military.
Sabbatical leave
- Currently, there are no provisions for sabbatical leave in Cyprus.
Easily Navigate the Leave Policy in Cyprus with Skuad
Building an exceptional global team with Skuad means staying informed and empowered. Our employment laws guide covers a wide range of subjects, including termination laws, compensation regulations, and leave policies.
From multinational corporations to startups, Skuad is relied upon by organizations of all sizes to manage their global workforce efficiently.
We also provide a free global hiring toolkit, which includes local salary benchmarks, global hiring guides, and an employee cost calculator.
So, what are you waiting for?
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FAQs
Q1: How many days of sick leave per year in Cyprus?
A1: According to the statutory regulations, employees in Cyprus are entitled to receive sickness benefits for up to 156 days.
Q2: What is the termination law in Cyprus?
A2: According to the termination law in Cyprus, an employer who intends to terminate the employment of an employee needs to provide a notice period, usually ranging from one to eight weeks, depending on the tenure of service.
Q3: What are the maximum working hours in Cyprus?
A3: Under the employment laws in Cyprus, the standard working hours consist of 40 hours per week, which equates to eight hours per day.
Q4: How many days is paternity leave in Cyprus?
A4: The labor laws mandate two weeks of paid paternity leave in Cyprus.
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