Five benefits in Cyprus are now available online. Applications are processed up to 70 percent faster.

Five popular benefits in Cyprus can now be claimed online under the new social security system: maternity benefit, paternity benefit, lump-sum childbirth benefit, parental leave benefit, and funeral benefit.

According to the Cypriot government, the processing time for electronic applications has been shortened by 30 to 70 percent, depending on the type of benefit. Poles insured in Cyprus can also use the new services if they meet the requirements, including paid contributions. A verified CY Login profile is required to submit most applications.

Benefits in Cyprus available online

The new digital services were presented by the Minister of Labour and Social Security, Marinos Mousiouttas, and the Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, Nikodimos Damianou.

The online system currently covers five benefits related to important events in family life:

• maternity benefit,
• paternity benefit,
• one-off benefit for the birth of a child,
• parental leave benefit,
• funeral allowance.

The application can be completed and submitted without visiting the office. The system can then directly request the employer to provide the information needed to process the case.

Poles can also submit applications

Eligibility for the benefit is not dependent on Cypriot citizenship. Poles working or running a business in Cyprus can apply if they are covered by the Cypriot social security system and meet the conditions for a specific payment.

Mere residence on the island is not sufficient. In the case of maternity, paternity, and parental benefits, the primary factors considered are contributions paid and the applicant's employment situation.

The system verifies the data stored in the insured person's account. In some cases, additional documents, confirmation of employment period, or information from the employer may be required.

You will need a verified CY Login

To use digital forms, you most often need a verified CY Login profile, formerly known as Ariadni.

Simply creating an account using an email address isn't enough. The profile must be linked to a specific person and verified. Depending on available options, identity verification can be done electronically or at a citizen service point.

After logging in, the user can complete the form, attach the required documents and submit the application without visiting the Social Insurance Services office.

An Insured Person Profile has also been launched. It aims to gather insurance data, submitted applications, and information stored in the system in one place.

Maternity benefit in six days

The biggest improvement is in waiting times. The median processing time for maternity benefits has decreased from 12 to six days.

An even more significant change was noted in the case of the one-time benefit for the birth of a child. Before the introduction of the first electronic service, the procedure could take around 90 days. Subsequently, the time was shortened to around 12 days, and under the new system, it will average three days.

This doesn't mean that every application will be processed within this timeframe. The figures provided represent typical processing times. Missing documents, discrepancies in data, or the need to obtain information from the employer may extend the process.

You have to keep an eye on the deadlines

The digital form simplifies the procedure but does not change the deadlines for individual benefits.

Applications for Maternity Allowance should be submitted within 21 days of the date the benefit is due. The form can be submitted after the 25th week of pregnancy.

A similar 21-day deadline applies to paternity benefits. For parental leave benefits, the application for payment must be submitted no later than seven days after the first day of the period for which the benefit is to be granted.

The deadline for applying for a one-time benefit for the birth of a child is 12 months from the date of birth. Applications for a funeral grant must also be submitted within one year – in this case, from the date of death.

Further benefits transferred to the internet

Applications for disability pension, survivor's pension for widows or widowers, disability benefit and special benefit for people with thalassemia can now also be submitted electronically.

The government is also expanding the system with the planned pension reform in mind. Over the past 12 months, residents have used various digital public services over 242,000 times.

Over 40,000 applications for the five benefits presented above are submitted annually. Over 17,000 are for parental leave, and over 7,000 applications for maternity benefit and childbirth benefit have also been submitted in the last 12 months.

CY Login currently has 547,000 verified profiles. In 2026, the number of users is expected to increase by an average of about 5,000 per month.

Anyone experiencing problems with the electronic form or profile can contact the hotline at 1450. Help is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Sources: Ministry of Labour and Social Security of the Republic of Cyprus, Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, Social Insurance Services, Gov.cy portal