Staff - Cyprus

Updated 10/2010

Legal requirements

The Ministry of Employment and Social Security oversees employment conditions in Cyprus. In addition, employee rights are consolidated through collective agreements in the various professional sectors.

Employment conditions

A detailed explanation of the framework of employment conditions in Cyprus can be found on the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance website.

Employment conditions in Cyprus

Employment contracts

The main form of employment in Cyprus is full-time employment for an indefinite period. In most cases, conditions of employment are defined under collective agreements.

Collective agreements

In cases where a fixed-term contract applies, conditions of employment are determined under the employment contract (salary, other benefits, working hours, annual leave, contract duration etc.) and the relevant legislation applies.

Fixed-Term Employment Act [71 KB]

In general, in all cases of staff employment the employer should clearly inform the employee of the terms and conditions governing the employment relationship.

Employee Information Act [71 KB]

Employing foreigners

The Ministry of the Interior, under the Foreign Nationals and Immigration Act, guarantees European citizens and their families the right to live in the Republic of Cyprus.

Ministry of the Interior
Foreign Nationals and Immigration Act

Cyprus has signed bilateral agreements on social insurance with countries such as the United Kingdom, Greece, Egypt, Canada, Austria, Slovakia, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands and Bulgaria.

Texts of Agreements

There are minimum social rules to follow, especially about non-discrimination, gender equality and health and safety.

Staff welfare — Cyprus

Administrative procedures

Social insurance contributions

The Social Insurance Scheme forcibly covers every person employed in Cyprus. Cypriots employed by a Cypriot employer abroad as well as individuals who have decided to interrupt their obligatory insurance subscription are entitled to voluntary insurance subscription. Policy holders are divided into three categories, namely employed, self-employed and voluntarily insured individuals.

Social insurance scheme
Electronic payment of contributions

The various application forms are available online.

Application forms

Generally, refunds are not provided for contributions made to the Social Insurance Fund.

Work permits for foreign workers

Non-Cypriot employees must obtain an Alien Registration Certificate (ARC) from the local police. EU citizens receive this certificate automatically.

Self-employed professionals whose qualifications are determined by law must apply to the competent body issuing the necessary work permit in the same way as Cypriot citizens.

Businesses are not allowed to discriminate on grounds of a person's nationality.

Resources

EURES, the European job portal, offers employers information and support on recruiting across the EU. As well as assisting jobseekers, it helps entrepreneurs find workers from across the EU. In border regions, EURES provides information on cross-border commuting and helps workers and employers with problems that may arise.

Check also the legislation on this topic in:

Staff - Cyprus