The Social Insurance Scheme covers compulsorily every person gainfully occupied in Cyprus either as an employed person or as a self-employed person. Persons working abroad in the service of Cypriot employers and persons who interrupt their compulsory insurance are allowed, under certain conditions, to be insured voluntarily. The insured persons are classified in three categories; employed persons, self-employed persons and voluntary contributors.
The Scheme is financed by contributions payable by the employers, the insured persons and the State. The rate of contribution for the employed persons as from the 1st of April 2009 is 17,9% and for the self-employed persons as from the 6th of April 2009 is 16,9% on their insurable earnings.
The Scheme provides cash benefits for marriage, maternity, sickness, unemployment, widowhood, invalidity, orphanhood, old age, death and employment injury. The Scheme provides also free medical treatment for persons receiving invalidity pension and for employed persons who sustain injuries as a result or an employment accident or an occupational disease.
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