Επίδομα Γονικής Άδειας

Did you know that in Cyprus, parents can receive a parental leave allowance from the state to spend more time with their children? If you would like to know when you can claim it and if you are eligible read below.

The legislation regarding the parental leave allowance has been in effect:

Since December 16, 2022, for employees.
Since May 10, 2024, for self-employed individuals.

The allowance is paid by the Social Insurance Services when a parent takes parental leave from work. Applications can be submitted electronically via CyLogin.

It is worth noting that parental leave is not the same as “my baby got sick and I can’t go to work tomorrow.” Parental leave is granted so that a parent can care for and spend quality time with their child over a specific period.

Examples of when parental leave can be used:

To spend more time with the child during their first years of life.
Immediately following the end of maternity or paternity leave.
To help the child adjust to kindergarten or school.
When no other childcare is available.

(The above are just examples and are not limited to these reasons.)

Note: If a child falls ill suddenly or an accident occurs, “leave for reasons of force majeure” is typically used instead. This allows an employee to be absent for a few days for urgent family reasons.

Who is Eligible?

The allowance is available to parents who:

Are employees or self-employed.
Have worked for at least 12 months within the last 2 years prior to the application.
Are registered with Social Insurance.
Have a child up to 15 years old (or up to 21 years old if the child has a disability).

Additional Requirements for Employees:

If you are an employee, to receive the allowance:

You must have worked for at least 6 months for the same employer.
You must not be paid by your employer during the parental leave period.
You must notify your employer at least 3 weeks in advance by completing the relevant form.
In special cases, leave may be granted with less notice if the employer agrees.

Requirements for Self-Employed:

If you are self-employed, you must:

Have paid your Social Insurance contributions for the two previous quarters.
Notify the Social Insurance Services at least 3 weeks in advance.
Ensure the leave is not during a period when the business is already closed or suspended.

Duration of the Allowance

The duration of the allowance depends on the number of children. As of March 31, 2025, the following applies:

Number of Children	Allowance Duration
1st child	8 weeks
2nd child	10 weeks
3rd child	12 weeks
4th+ child	14 weeks

The allowance is granted separately to each parent for each child. If the child has a disability, the duration increases:

+4 weeks for severe or moderate mental disability.
+6 weeks for total disability.

In these cases, the allowance can be granted until the child reaches 21 years of age.

Usage Rules: You can take parental leave from 1 day up to 5 weeks per year, until your total entitlement is exhausted. For example, if you have one child (8 weeks total), you can take 5 weeks in one year and the remaining 3 weeks in any subsequent year.

Is Everyone Entitled to It?

While parental leave is a legal right, the allowance is subject to the specific insurance conditions mentioned above.

In some cases, an employer may request to postpone the leave to a different period if there is a serious reason affecting the operation of the business. This postponement can be for up to 2 months. The employer cannot refuse the parental leave entirely. If they do, document the refusal and contact the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance.

Part-time Workers: There is no explicit mention of part-time workers. However, as the law does not strictly limit this right to full-time staff, it likely applies to them as well. It is best to confirm this directly with Social Insurance.

How is the Allowance Calculated?

The amount is calculated based on the employee’s insurance points:

72% of the weekly value of the insurance unit in basic insurance.
60% of the weekly value of the insurance units in supplementary insurance.

For more information, you can contact the 1450 Call Center.

Note: This information was gathered via the government’s digital assistant (BETA) and may not be clearly displayed on all official websites. For certainty, please consult Social Insurance directly.

Can my employer fire me while on Parental Leave?

The law protects the employee. Dismissal, notice of dismissal, or any process leading to dismissal is prohibited from the moment the employee informs the employer in writing of their intent to take leave until the leave ends.

Dismissal is only permitted if:

There is a serious disciplinary offence recorded before the parental leave started.
The business ceases operations.
The employment contract expires.

Practical Examples:

Example 1: Maria has worked at a company for 2 years and has a 3-year-old child. She wants to take 3 weeks off in the summer. If she notifies her employer 3 weeks in advance and receives no salary from them during that time, she is eligible for the allowance.

Example 2: Kostas changed jobs 3 months ago and wants to take leave. Since he hasn’t completed 6 months with the same employer, he is likely not yet eligible for the allowance.

Example 3: Eleni is self-employed and pays her contributions regularly. She wants to stop working for 2 weeks to care for her child. If she notifies Social Insurance in time, she can receive the allowance.

Example 4: A parent takes leave, but the employer continues to pay their full salary. In this case, the state allowance is not paid.

Sources:

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