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Employment contracts in Cyprus are either indefinite-term or fixed-term. The duration of a fixed-term contract cannot exceed 30 months, and a series of fixed-term contracts may not have a combined term of more than 30 months. If the employee remains employed with the employer beyond the 30-month limit, the contract automatically converts to an indefinite contract. An employment contract does not have to be in writing but it is advisable. The employer must disclose some information to the employee in writing within 30 days of the start of employment if it is not stated in a written contract.

The standard workweek in Cyprus is 40 hours over five days, although a six-day week is possible. Employees may not work more than 48 hours in one week, averaged over four months, and the employee’s consent is required for work beyond 40 hours. The rates of pay for overtime and other non-standard working arrangements are normally set by a collective bargaining agreement, or if no collective bargaining agreement applies, the employer and employee usually negotiate the rate.

In Cyprus, the public holidays are:

• New Year’s Day

• Epiphany Ash Monday (Kathara Deftera)

• Green Monday

• Greek Independence Day

• Greek Cypriot Day (EOKA Day)

• Orthodox Good Friday

• Orthodox Easter Monday

• Labor Day

• Orthodox Whit Monday (Katalysmos)

• Assumption Day

• Cyprus Independence Day

• Ochi Day (Greek national day)

• Roman Catholic Christmas

• Boxing Day

Employers in Cyprus may terminate employees with notice for a legitimate reason. The main legally recognized reasons for termination with notice are unsatisfactory performance, redundancy, the expiration of a fixed-term contract or for reasons outside of the employer’s control. The notice must be in writing, with the notice period depending on the employee’s length of service. The employer also has the option of making the termination effective immediately and paying the employee the salary they would be paid during the notice period. Terminated employees in Cyprus must be paid severance pay as soon as possible after termination. Severance pay is based on length of service.

Cyprus has no general minimum wage, but certain professions do have one. Bonuses are paid at the employer’s discretion. Many employers pay a 13th month of salary as a bonus, usually in December. Employers are also required to give employees holiday pay, which is paid either to the employees directly or from a Central Holiday Fund to which employers contribute.