Work conditions in Cyprus

The Active Population in Figures

Working Conditions

Legal Weekly Duration

Working hours vary according to sector and profession. The maximum number of working hours is fixed by collective agreement. It usually ranges beetween 38 and 40 hours.

Retirement Age

63 or 65 if the insured person does not meet the conditions to go on retirement at the age of 63.

Working Contracts

A written contract is not obligatory but it is now common to have one.
There are several types of contracts and Cyprus does not have a uniform contract of employment system.
The most common contract is the contract with an indefinite term. Temporary employment is uncommon though seasonal work exists mainly in tourism and agriculture.

Labour Laws

Consult Doing Business Website, to obtain a summary of the labor regulations that apply to local entreprises.

Cost of Labour

Minimum Wage

According to the ILO, the minimum wage was EUR 870 per month in 2019 (latest data available).

Average Wage

The average monthly gross salary in Cyprus is EUR 1,907 (Cyprus Ministry of Finance,2020)

Social Contributions

Social Security Contributions Paid By Employers: 8.3% of covered earnings
Social Security Contributions Paid By Employees: 8.3% of covered earnings

Social Partners

Employer Associations

OEB - Cyprus Employers and Industrialists Federation
OEB - Cyprus Employers & Industrialists Federation
CIBA - The Cyprus International Businesses Association

Social Dialogue and Involvement of Social Partners

Employees are protected from dismissal because of union membership.
Collective bargaining power is ensured and allowed (article 26 of the Constitution) and numerous trade unions exist.

Labour Unions

Cyprus Workers' Federation
Pan-Cyprian Federation of Labour
Democratic Labour Federation of Cyprus

Unionisation Rate

The unionization rate is quite high in Cyprus, reaching 68%.

Labour Regulation Bodies

Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance
Human Resource Development Authority