Working in Cyprus. What should a Pole know before hiring?

For years, working in Cyprus has attracted Poles seeking employment in tourism, services, trade, and international companies. Polish citizens can work without a permit, but before signing any documents, it's worth checking the salary, working hours, overtime rules, and whether the employer is properly reporting employment and paying social security contributions.

The island's job market offers both seasonal employment and positions requiring experience, specialized knowledge, and foreign language skills. However, conditions can vary significantly depending on the industry and employer.

Does a Pole need a work permit in Cyprus?

No. A Polish citizen, as a European Union citizen, can work in Cyprus without obtaining an additional employment permit.

EU citizens have the right to seek work, take up employment, and pursue self-employment in other Member States. They should also be treated equally with local workers in terms of access to employment and working conditions.

If your stay in Cyprus is expected to last longer than three months, EU citizens should apply for an MEU1 registration document, commonly known as a Yellow Slip. The application must be submitted within four months of arrival.

What is the job market like in Cyprus?

The Cypriot labor market is largely service-based. Poles find employment primarily in:

• hotel and catering industry,
• tourism,
• trade and customer service,
• construction,
• transport and logistics,
• cleaning and maintenance of facilities,
• accounting and finance,
• IT industry,
• shipping companies,
• international customer service centers.

The largest number of positions at international companies can be found in Limassol and Nicosia. Seasonal employment, however, is concentrated primarily in tourist destinations and coastal regions.

English is required in many jobs. Greek isn't always necessary, but it can significantly expand the number of available positions, especially in trade, administration, and companies serving local clients.

Does an employer have to provide employment terms in writing?

Yes. Even if an employee is covered by a collective agreement, they should not start work without clear information about the most important terms and conditions of employment.

An employer is required to provide the employee with the basic terms and conditions of employment in writing no later than seven days after commencing work. This information should include, among other things:

• employee and employer data,
• place of work,
• position and scope of responsibilities,
• employment start date,
• duration of the contract,
• trial period,
• amount of remuneration,
• frequency and method of payment of remuneration.

The mere statement that a collective agreement is in force at the enterprise should not replace providing the employee with information about his or her individual terms and conditions of employment.

What is a collective agreement?

Collective agreement, or collective bargaining agreement, is an agreement between employer organizations and trade unions. It specifies the terms and conditions of employment in a given industry or group of companies.

Collective agreements may regulate, among other things:

• remuneration,
• weekly working time,
• rules for working on Sundays and public holidays,
• overtime pay,
• holidays,
• accessories,
• thirteenth salary,
• notice periods,
• other employee benefits.

In Cyprus, collective bargaining is one of the main ways of determining employment conditions. However, this doesn't mean that every employee in a given industry is automatically covered by a specific agreement. Before starting work, it's important to determine whether the agreement actually applies to your employer and position.

Working in a hotel and the collective agreement

The hotel industry has specific regulations regarding wages and working hours. There is also an industry-wide collective agreement concluded by trade unions and employer organizations.

According to the Cyprus Department of Labor Relations, the collective agreement for the hotel industry provides for a 38-hour work week. Overtime is paid at a rate of 1:1.5 on weekdays and 1:2 on Sundays and public holidays.

The regulations regarding hotel employees also indicate that the total working time, including overtime, should not exceed 48 hours per week.

Before starting employment, a hotel employee should check:

• name of the position,
• basic rate,
• number of working hours,
• method of settling overtime,
• rules for working on Sundays and public holidays,
• deductions for accommodation or meals,
• allowances due,
• whether the plant is covered by a collective agreement.

Is there a minimum wage in Cyprus?

Yes. Contrary to popular belief, Cyprus has a national minimum wage, although it does not cover all categories of workers.

For most full-time employees, the minimum monthly wage is currently:

• 979 euros gross before completing six months of continuous employment with the same employer,
• 1088 euros gross after completing six months of employment with the same employer.

These rules do not apply to, among others, domestic workers, agriculture, livestock breeding, seafarers and persons covered by a separate regulation on minimum wages in the hotel industry.

In hotels, there are separate minimum wages depending on the position and regulated by the 2025 regulation.

Gross and net salary

The amount stated in the advertisement or contract is most often the gross salary. Mandatory contributions and, in certain cases, income tax are deducted from this amount.

The final payout amount is influenced by, among other things:

• social security contributions,
• contribution to the GESY health care system,
• income tax,
• any deductions agreed in the contract,
• allowances and overtime pay.

Employees should receive a document outlining how their pay and deductions are calculated. It's a good idea to keep all pay statements, transfer confirmations, and correspondence with their employer.

Social security and GESY

Legal employment is associated with the obligation to pay social security and GESY contributions. Contributions are paid by the employee and employer in accordance with applicable rules.

A GESY contribution is also collected from employee salaries. The current rate for employee salaries is 2.65%, while employers pay their own contribution of 2.90%.

Deductions alone should not be relied upon as the sole proof of accurate employment reporting. If in doubt, employees should check their contribution history or contact Social Insurance Services.

Does paying contributions automatically give you access to GESY?

Payment of contributions is one of the elements of financing the system, but the mere deduction of the contribution from the salary does not always mean the immediate completion of all formalities related to the use of health care.

Employees should check whether they are registered with GESY and can choose a personal physician. If they experience any issues, they should contact GESY or their insurance provider directly.

Working hours and overtime

Working time rules can vary by industry, contract, and collective agreement. In many sectors, overtime pay is determined by individual contracts or collective agreements.

Special regulations apply to hotel, restaurant, and retail employees, among others. Overtime in the hotel industry cannot exceed nine hours per week, and its calculation is subject to separate rules.

Before accepting a job, you should determine:

• how many hours are in a standard working week,
• are breaks included in working time,
• how overtime is calculated,
• Is there additional pay for work on Sundays and public holidays?
• how working time records are kept.

The most common employee problems

The most common problems include:

• lack of written information about employment conditions,
• other conditions than those presented during recruitment,
• unpaid wages,
• delays in payments,
• no overtime settlement,
• deductions not previously indicated in the terms and conditions of employment,
• lack of documents confirming remuneration,
• incorrect insurance registration,
• pressure to sign documents that are incomprehensible to the employee.

You should not sign a document if you do not understand its content. The employee may request time to review it, a copy of the document, and an explanation of its provisions.

What to check before starting work?

Before accepting an offer, it is worth obtaining written answers to the most important questions:

• What is the gross salary?
• How many hours are in a work week?
• How is overtime calculated?
• Is the position covered by a collective agreement?
• Is there a thirteenth salary?
• How many days of leave is an employee entitled to?
• Does the employer provide accommodation or meals?
• What amounts will be deducted from wages?
• How long is the trial period?
• What is the notice period?
• When is the payout?
• Will the employer report employment to social security?

Terms communicated verbally can be difficult to prove later. Therefore, it's a good idea to preserve important agreements in emails or other documents.

Where to report a problem with your employer?

For matters relating to wages, working hours, holidays, employment conditions and collective agreements, you can contact the Cypriot Department of Labor Relations.

The department also accepts employee complaints. Official contact information includes a telephone number. +357 22 803100 and email address info@dlr.mlsi.gov.cy.

For any questions regarding contributions, please contact Social Insurance ServicesThere is also a national government hotline available at 1450.

In more complex cases, especially those involving termination of a contract, discrimination, serious arrears in wages or employer liability, it is advisable to seek the assistance of a lawyer or a trade union.

Summary

Poles can work in Cyprus without additional permits, but free access to the labor market does not mean that every job offer ensures proper and transparent employment conditions.

Before starting work, it's important to check the gross salary, working hours, overtime rules, probationary period, vacation time, and any deductions. It's also worth determining whether the position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement and whether the employer will properly report the employment to social security.

It is safest to start work only after receiving written information about all basic conditions.

FAQ

Does a Pole need a work permit in Cyprus?

No. Polish citizens can work in Cyprus without a permit because they benefit from the freedom of movement of workers within the European Union.

Does the lack of an individual contract mean illegal employment?

This cannot be assessed solely based on the absence of a single document titled "employment contract." However, the employer must provide the employee with written information about the basic terms of employment, including salary, job title, and work location.

Is there a minimum wage in Cyprus?

Yes. For most full-time employees, it is €979 gross for the first six months of employment with an employer and €1,088 gross thereafter. Certain groups of employees are subject to different rules.

Do different rules apply in the hotel industry?

Yes. The hotel industry has its own minimum wage and specific regulations regarding working hours and overtime. There is also an industry-wide collective agreement.

Does the employer have to pay contributions?

Yes. Legal employment requires employee registration and the payment of appropriate social security and GESY contributions.

The material was prepared on the basis of: Information from the Cyprus Department of Labor Relations, the Department of Labor, Social Insurance Services, the Migration Department of the Republic of Cyprus, and official European Union materials regarding the free movement of workers. Legal status and amounts should be re-checked before taking up employment, as they are subject to change.