Hide details for 1. Hours of work1. Hours of work

Unless there are more favourable arrangements for workers, working hours per week cannot exceed 48 hours on average, including overtime hours. The average weekly working time is calculated on a 4 month basis. When calculating the average, the periods of paid annual leave and sick leave are not taken into account.

Working hours must be defined according to the applicable collective bargaining agreement or the agreement between the two parties, except for the categories of professions which are regulated by special legislation, and are the following:

  • • For retail employees, the weekly working hours are 38 (maximum employment with overtime can reach up to 46 hours per week),
  • • For clerks, messengers or general office employees, the weekly working hours are no more than 44 including overtime hours or 8 hours a day,
  • • For workers of mines and quarries, the weekly working hours are up to 40 including overtime hours for work that is performed underground and 44 (including overtime) for work that is performed above ground.

For each 20 hour period, each worker is entitled to at least 11 continuous hours of rest. For each week, workers are entitled to a minimum continuous period of rest of 24 hours.

Show details for 2. Paid annual leave2. Paid annual leave

Show details for 3. Time off3. Time off

Hide details for 4. Overtime4. Overtime

Overtime in every undertaking/organisation is regulated in personal contracts, agreements or Collective Agreements. Employees in retail stores, hotels and leisure centres are an exception, for whom time off is regulated under special laws.

For employees of retail stores, overtime cannot exceed 8 hours per week (2 per day). Overtime is compensated as follows:
    • • A morning or afternoon off: Every 1 hour of work is compensated with 2 hours (1:2)
    • • Holidays: Every 1 hour of work is compensated with 2 hours (1:2)
    • • Other days: Every 1 hour of work is compensated with 1.5 hours (1:1.5)

For employees of leisure centres, overtime can reach up to 8 hours per week. In exceptional cases defined by law, this may be increased to 10 hours per week and shall be compensated at a rate of 1:1.5.

For hotel employees, overtime may not exceed 9 hours per week and is compensated at a rate of 1:1.5.

Hide details for 5. Termination of employment5. Termination of employment

In accordance with the law on the termination of employment, every employer and every employee must provide written notice of termination of the employment relationship, which shall be proportionate to their time of employment.

Where the employer terminates the employment relationship with the employee on their own initiative, then the minimum period of notice shown below must be given in writing:

Period of continuous employmentMinimum period of notice
From 0 to 26 weeks (up to 6 months)No notice
From 26 to 51 weeks (6 months - 1 year)1 week
From 52 to 103 weeks (1-2 years)2 weeks
From 104 to 155 weeks (2-3 years)4 weeks
From 156 to 207 weeks (3-4 years)5 weeks
From 208 to 259 weeks (4-5 years)6 weeks
From 260 to 311 weeks (5-6 years)7 weeks
From 132 weeks and more (6 years +)8 weeks



Where the employee terminates the employment relationship with their employer on their own initiative, then the minimum period of notice shown below must be given in writing:

Period of continuous employmentMinimum period of notice
From 26 to 51 weeks (6 months - 1 year)1 week
From 52 to 259 weeks (1-5 years)2 weeks
From 260 weeks and more (5 years +)3 weeks

An exception is made for employees at hotels and leisure centres where the law provides for a period of notice even if an employee has been working for less than 6 months which shall be dependent on the period of employment.


Show details for 6. Process for the submission of complaints for citizens of Cyprus and of Member States6. Process for the submission of complaints for citizens of Cyprus and of Member States

Show details for 7. Procedure for the submission of a complaint for employees from non-EU nationals7. Procedure for the submission of a complaint for employees from non-EU nationals



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Last Update: 26/09/2023 10:02:34 AM

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