How to Find a Job in Cyprus

These days, finding work in Cyprus, or employment opportunities in general, does not seem that complicated, popular methods include searching on the internet, or using job applications [i.e. Glassdoor] for a more specific search. However finding a job in Cyprus for foreigners is a challenging search, with In the Republic of Cyprus, locals are mainly employed in the tourism industry. And what professions are in demand on the island among foreigners? Read about the peculiarities of employment in Cyprus, requirements for applicants, the best cities for work, popular vacancies, and salaries in our large material.

Attractiveness of the Cyprus labor market

In Cyprus, marketers, targetologists, and administrators of websites of travel agencies, hotels, sightseeing tours, and spa procedures are in demand. But there is a shortage of qualified personnel. Therefore, for foreigners, including those with minimal IT knowledge, the labor market on this island is more open than ever.

Here are some more advantages:

• The first €19,500 of income earned by an individual is not taxable: income tax is 0%.
• You can do without knowing Greek on the island. English and Russian can be enough to work as a guide, hotel receptionist, café employee, or IT specialist.
• The warm climate allows for swimming, yoga, and outdoor running most of the year.

If you are going to set up your own company in Cyprus, it can be a favorable decision because there is a minimum tax rate for multinational corporations operating in EU countries. It is equal to 15% (corporate tax). For a long time, the tax was equal to 12.5%.

Cyprus labor market features

Unemployment is 5.9%, according to the data from the Cyprus Statistical Authority for the 4th quarter of 2023. This is quite high, but it started to decrease after the pandemic.

The government of South Cyprus allows foreigners to be employed officially, but advantages will be given to citizens of the Republic of Cyprus and EU citizens. If you are a valuable specialist, the employer will draw up the necessary documents for you to get permission to work for his company.

There is a gender division of vacancies on the island, but these boundaries are gradually being blurred. EU rules ensure equal employment rights, regardless of gender. Traditionally, the work of nannies and maids is predominantly female, and sailors and drivers are most often men. But tour guides, programmers, waiters, and teachers can be of either sex.

Where to find Cyprus job offers

A job search can be carried out independently or with the help of intermediaries. Both involve online or offline research of job openings and the employer's educational and nationality requirements.

Job advertisement and vacancy sites

We recommend you start with Cyprus job vacancies posted directly by employers. The following sites post current vacancies in English and Greek:  

• careerjet.com
• carierista.com
• cyprusjobs.com
• cypruswork.com
• ergodotisi.com
• eurojobs.com
• findjobsincyprus.com
• jobscyprus.com
• kariera.com.cy 
• learn4good.com

Public Employment Service (PES Cyprus) 

The official website of the Public Employment Service of the Department of Labor, Ministry of Labor and Social Insurance allows you to see the overall picture of the labor market and understand what the average salary is for a particular position in Cyprus. To get information on vacancies, you need to register. Also, after registration on this resource, there is an opportunity to create a resume and update it.

The site is presented in English and Greek.

Cyprus recruitment agencies

Staffing agencies are job recruitment helpers.

• advancecareer.com.cy
• careerfinders.com.cy
• cy-recruitment.com
• grsrecruitment.com
• smstaffmatters.com.

Recruitment agencies can quickly advise you on salaries in Cyprus and which regions have the highest demand for the position you are looking for.

You will have to pay for information services. Choose agencies that ask for payment after a vacancy has been found, not before you start your search. A service contract will protect your rights.

Internship in Cyprus

The rules regarding students who have studied in other countries have changed in recent years: foreign students can intern in the Republic of Cyprus and, in some cases, receive payment for their internship.

For students who are third-country nationals, it is necessary to:

• Obtain a residence permit for the internship (Pink Slip) if the internship will last more than three months. Currently, the Pink Slip is valid for up to one year and can be extended once in special cases related to professional qualifications.

An application on form MVIS3 must be submitted to the city's immigration office within seven days of arrival. The Cyprus Immigration Service should be contacted for details.

• A signed internship contract that was approved by the competent Cypriot authority.
• Proof of sufficient funds to cover living expenses, internships, and possible repatriation.
• Participation in a student exchange program.
• Bank guarantee to cover possible repatriation costs.
• Research labor laws regarding international students.

If you are interested in the experience of getting an internship in Cyprus, you can learn more at these topical resources:

• gooverseas.com/internships-abroad
• kpmg.com
• learn4good.com
• pwc.com.cy
• volunteer programs helpstay.com and workaway.info

The most popular jobs in Cyprus

Since the island is a tourist destination, there is a constant need for service staff. But all things being equal, the better your chances of finding a job are, the more qualified you are.

So, the island is always in need of:

• financiers, including those with banking experience;
• personnel managers, crisis managers;
• highly qualified lawyers, accountants, and auditors — all those people who know international law and will help in checking documentation;
• doctors;
• IT specialists;
• educators who know several languages;
• engineers, designers, and architects;
• highly specialized professions: fitters, welders, electricians, appraisers, chefs;
• sales managers, realtors, and croupiers;
• nannies, social workers, animators, and trainers;
• guides, security guards, waiters, and maids.

The highest paid professions in Cyprus:

• IT professions, 
• banking sector, 
• top managers,
• senior executives.

References from previous jobs, publications, diplomas, and positive media mentions will be helpful.

Salaries in Cyprus

As of January 1, 2024, the minimum wage in Cyprus has increased to €1,000 per month before taxes. The data was published in the Official Gazette and on the website of the Department of Labor. 

On average, men's salaries are higher than women's salaries in the same positions, although there is an equal pay law. This may be due to the fact that women are more likely to run a household and therefore may work part-time.

On the website of the Statistical Service of Cyprus, the last period analyzed in terms of salary trends is 2021-2022.

According to the official statistics, in 2022, women's salaries were higher only in the fields of agriculture and water supply, by 6% and 2%, respectively. A difference of up to 10% in favor of men is noted in the industries related to public administration and water supply. Men also earn significantly more if employed in health care, finance and insurance, real estate, entertainment, or the arts — a difference of 1.5 times on average. The maximum difference in income is in education, where people earn more by almost 70%.

Compared to 2021, income increased in all spheres. The smallest changes occurred for those employed in agriculture, water supply, health care, education, and public administration—no more than 3%. Both men and women working in hospitality and catering in 2022 earned 28% and 41% more,  respectively. Men in information technology also boast an increase in income, +17% over the year; in comparison, women have a +14% increase.

The lowest wages are in agriculture — on average not more than €100; the highest is for those who work with finance and insurance, information technology, and electricity and gas supply — on average from €3000 to €5000.

It is worth noting that women's wages have increased over the year in almost all areas. 

Taxation in Cyprus

The income tax rate depends on the level of income. In short, from 2024 on, you will pay no income tax on an annual income of €19,500 or less. Otherwise, Cyprus income tax brackets:

• €19,501-28,000 income has an income tax of 20%;
• €28,001-36,300, — 25%;
• €36,301-60,000, — 30%;
• over €60,000, — 35% respectively.

From 2024 onwards, the contribution to the social insurance system fund became 8.8%,the payment to the national health system fund, GESY, remained unchanged at 2.65%.

According to the Department of Labor Relations, Ministry of Labor and Social Insurance, the employer contributes 8% of the salary to the vacation pay fund.

With a minimum employee salary of €1000, the tax calculation looks like this:

€1,000 - (€1,000 + 8%*1000) *8.8% - (€1,000 + 8%*1000) *2.65% = €876.34 of the salary is left for the employee.

How to get a work permit in the Republic of Cyprus

You can start by finding an employer who wants to hire you — job search sites were mentioned earlier in the article. Or you can come to Cyprus on a tourist visa and, for 90 days, personally search for future employers on the island. Remember that first of all, locals are hired here, then EU citizens, and only then citizens from third countries.

Is the employer ready to hire you? Now he has to submit an application to the Civil Registration and Migration Department (CRMD). The application includes the vacancy and information about you. Remember to check the validity of your passport; it must be valid for at least 2.5 years.

After obtaining a work permit in Cyprus from the CRMD, the employee must apply for a work visa at the embassy or consulate in the country of residence. Upon receiving the visa, the applicant will be able to travel to Cyprus.

Within 7 days of arrival in the country (a limited period of one week), the prospective worker needs to apply for a Cyprus Temporary Residence Permit (CRMD). This requires a visit to the local immigration office, police department, or CRMD. At the reception, applicants must provide their personal details, signature, and biometric data.

It usually takes about two months to complete the paperwork.

You may also be eligible to have children under the age of 18, and your spouse or your dependent spouse live with you. To add a family member to an already-approved immigration authorization, you must submit the following documents:

• MIP1 form of application.
• A copy of the dependent's valid passport.
• Declaration of the secured annual income of the person approved for immigration authorization (original documents and affidavit).
• Original certificate of the spouse's criminal record, certified and officially translated (the certificate must be issued in the country of residence if the applicant resides in a country other than Cyprus).
• Marriage certificate, duly certified and officially translated (original certificate or certified copy).
• Children's birth certificates duly certified and officially translated (original or certified copy).
• A fee of €50 for this application is payable for each dependent included in the application.
• In the event that family members need to obtain an Alien Registration Certificate, an additional fee of €70 will be charged.

You are also given health insurance and other documents in accordance with the current legislation.

For up-to-date information, it is advisable to contact government migration departments, embassies, and consulates, or hire a lawyer who will do everything for you.

Work Visa in Cyprus

Immigration permits are more commonly called work visas. They differ in the type of activity and whether you intend to work for yourself or to be an employee (this is the simplest case, category E).

• Category A

Persons who are going to be employed in agriculture, animal husbandry, poultry farming, and fish farming in Cyprus. They must have land available for these purposes or permission to purchase it. Of course, you should have a sum of money that supports the intention to purchase.

• Category B

Persons intending to work as self-employed in mining operations in the Republic. Need an operating license and capital at the free disposal of about €350,000.

• Category C

Self-employed persons in trade or other fields with a license and capital of about €260,000.

• Category D

Self-employed persons in the field of science with adequate qualifications and means or secured income, which will enable the realization of this intention. In addition, there should be a need for such professionals in Cyprus.

• Category E

Persons who have an invitation to work from a Cypriot employer. At the same time, the workers must not create competition for local applicants.

• Category F

Individuals who do not intend to work and have an annual income of at least €9568 (CY£5,600) and at least €4613 (CY£2700) for each dependent.

Residence permit for digital nomads

A couple of years ago, a concept appeared: the Cyprus Digital Nomad Visa or Cyprus Digital Nomad Visa. What is it?

So, in general, an employee becomes a tax resident of Cyprus if he or she lives on the island for more than six months in a calendar year. Since taxes are expressed as a percentage rather than an absolute, the higher the salary, the sooner the country's budget is replenished. Since internet-related professions are usually well-paid, the government of the Republic of Cyprus has decided to attract highly paid professionals. This benefits the government and perhaps benefits the specialist himself, who can live and work in a country with a great climate.

If you work for a foreign employer or are self-employed but provide services to foreign clients and/or companies using telecommunication technologies, meaning you're doing online work in Cyprus, you can obtain a Cyprus Digital Nomad Visa.

This benefit is available to third-country nationals if they can prove that they receive a monthly income of at least €3500 after deducting all taxes and fees.

Note: We have written in detail about digital nomad visas and the conditions for obtaining them in different countries in a separate large guide.

General requirements for applicants

Job openings, which may be published in Greek, English, and sometimes Russian, usually specify the requirements for employees. You do not have to fear gender discrimination, but some firms may maintain a certain percentage of men and women. Statistically, the working atmosphere is better in a mixed team, where men and women are approximately equal in number. So that there is no obvious bias, candidates of a certain gender may be considered.

Language requirements

As the Republic of Cyprus is Greek-speaking, knowledge of the Greek language is required when working in government offices, as well as when working with the local population anywhere away from the cities.

As for private companies, it depends on the field of work and what language your boss speaks. If you want to work as a receptionist in a German-owned hotel, you might not be hired without German.

If you are going to work for an international company, English may be enough, but it must be at least B2 (or B1 if you have good conversational skills). In any case, knowledge of Greek is a desirable maximum.

If you don't speak foreign languages, you may be lucky enough to find a suitable job in Cyprus for Russian-speaking foreigners.

Diploma and its nostrification          

Your education diploma will need to be verified, as the number of hours and programs of study may vary. You may need to take additional courses. You are free to choose a Cypriot university, but you will have to take state exams to confirm specialties such as doctor, teacher, or architect. If there is no such program in Cyprus, the exams are taken in Greece.
 
If you want to continue your studies or your profession does not require a license, such as that of a medical professional, then you do not need to take the exams.
 
The application for certification is submitted to a special organization under the Ministry of Education and Culture of Cyprus, the Ministry of Education and Culture, KISATS (ΚΥ.Σ.Α.Τ.Σ). If the diploma is confirmed, the specialty is indicated.
 
Minimum package of documents for nostrification:

• certificate and its insert;
• diploma and its insert;
• university curriculum listing the subjects and the number of academic hours for their study (sometimes divided into lecture and practical hours).

ΚΥ.Σ.Α.Τ.Σ will check your university: whether you studied there, whether such a university exists at all, and if it does, whether it meets European requirements.

Good news for Russians: there is an agreement between Cyprus and Russia on mutual recognition of education.

Other requirements 

A foreign applicant must provide a certificate of no criminal record. Also, he/she must not jeopardize the health of the locals; dangerous diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis, and others must be excluded; and respect and comply with the laws and regulations of the Republic of Cyprus.

You will need accommodation, the address of which is given when you apply to the Ministry of Labor of Cyprus. Your employer may be able to help you with this by showing that they will provide you with accommodation.

It will not be superfluous to open an account in a bank in Cyprus, although this issue is better clarified by the bank and the manager; perhaps your international card will be suitable for the transfer of wages.

How to get a job in Cyprus

To work in Cyprus, you will have to make more effort than an EU citizen. However, these actions do not differ much from the procedures of other European countries.

So, you have found a Cypriot employer, you have had an interview, and you have completed a test task.

You learn about the amount of your salary, your job duties, and sign the employment contract.

Next, the employer himself acts:

• He applies by submitting a package of documents to the Ministry of Labor in Cyprus.
• After receiving a letter of recommendation, the employer contacts the Department of Civil Registration and Migration to obtain a work permit for you.
• When the permit is obtained, you need a visa that will allow you to work in South Cyprus. The tourist visa you used to enter the country is no longer sufficient. We wrote about work visas earlier.
• Then you apply for a residence permit, and while it is being processed (which can take up to six months), you use a temporary foreigner's ID card.

Citizenship can be obtained after 7 years of residence on the island.

Signing an employment contract with an employer

Here we will give some specifics that relate to the labor contract.

Important: In Cyprus, there are no universal collective agreements regulating wage rates for certain economic activities. Therefore, consult a labor lawyer and research information from government departments.

Under Cypriot law, wages are paid once a week or once a month. This depends on what is stated in the agreement between the employee and the employer.

Hours of overtime must be compensated at a rate of 1:1 or higher. If the employee's rights are violated, he/she has the right to file a complaint with the Ministry of Labor.

Within one month of starting work, the employer must provide information to the new employee in writing, which includes:

• place of work;
• job duties;
• the date of the beginning of the employment relationship and its duration;
• information on vacation leave;
• terms of termination of the employment relationship;
• salary details, frequency of payments;
• any collective bargaining agreements applicable to the terms and/or conditions of the employee's employment.

The specifics of employment legislation can also be found on the official website of the State Employment Service of the Department of Labor, Ministry of Labor and Social Insurance.

Employment of citizens with EU passport

The employment of European citizens is regulated by Law No. 7(I) of 2007 on the “Right of Union citizens and members of their families to move and reside freely in the territory of the Republic of Cyprus” 2007.

Since May 1, 2004, any EU citizen can enter the territory of the Republic of Cyprus simply by presenting a valid passport or identity card. The issuance of a visa is not required.

If the EU citizen's profession requires a certain qualification, he/she must apply to the competent authority responsible for accepting and processing applications for that profession and obtain a permit to work under the same conditions as Cypriot citizens.

Within 4 months after entering Cyprus, an application for a registration certificate must be submitted. This issue is handled by the local immigration department of the police. And after getting a job in Cyprus, you should apply for a social security number. The registration certificate is issued within 6 months from the date of application.

Note: If a citizen of the European Union works in the Republic without registration, you will have to pay a fine of €2562.90.

Consequences of illegal employment

You cannot work illegally in the Republic of Cyprus. Employers are fined for this, with a possible ban on further activity. And, depending on the severity of the offense, he may face imprisonment. So if someone offers you a “quick job,” know that they are a scammer.

An illegal immigrant worker will also face fines, imprisonment, deportation, and blacklisting.

Cyprus pension

An old-age pension is paid from the Social Insurance Fund to a person who has reached retirement age, which is 65 for women and men and 63 for miners.

The person must be insured for at least 780 weeks before retirement age and pay basic insurance until retirement age in the amount of at least 780 times the weekly amount of basic insured earnings.

The insurance points rule must also be met, where an insurance point is equal to one year's basic insurance earnings.

The essence of this rule is that to receive a pension, a worker must have worked at least 30% of the years from October 5, 1964 (or, if he or she reached age 16 after October 5, 1964, from the first day of the year in which he or she reached that age) to the date that occurred one week before the age of 63.

As of January 1, 2024, the pension in Cyprus increased by 3.89% and amounts per month to:

• €391.85: social pension;
• €411.20: minimum pension for those without dependents;
• €483.77 is the full basic pension.

Cities in Cyprus for job seekers 

Limassol is considered to be the main business city. Most IT companies are located here, including those that were set up by citizens of CIS countries.

You can always find new working contacts in the Russian-speaking IT community, CypRus_iT. But if you are a programmer, you can settle in any city with a stable internet connection.

Other things being equal, it is easier to find a job in big and/or resort towns: Nicosia, Larnaca, Paphos, Akrotiri, Ayia Napa, Polis, and others.

The employment agencies in Cyprus listed above can assist you in your job search.