How much annual leave am I entitled to in Cyprus?
Yes — the minimum is 4 weeks of paid annual leave. Under the Annual Holidays with Pay Law, you're entitled to 20 working days for a 5-day week or 24 days for a 6-day week. Full entitlement requires having worked at least 48 weeks in the year; below that, it's reduced proportionately. Leave pay comes either directly from the employer or from the Central Holiday Fund (Social Insurance Services). To draw pay from the Fund you must take at least 9 consecutive days' leave. In short: yes, 4 weeks as a minimum.
📋 The rules
- Minimum: 4 weeks annual leave
- 20 days (5-day week) / 24 (6-day week)
- Full entitlement: 48 weeks worked
- Pay: employer or Central Holiday Fund
- From the Fund: 9 consecutive days' leave
🔓 Exceptions
- Covers almost all employees (the clergy excepted)
- More favourable terms: possible exemption from Fund contributions
- Under 13 weeks last year: no Fund payment
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Core thresholds: 20 days (5-day week) / 24 (6-day week) = 4 weeks; 48 weeks worked for full entitlement; 9 consecutive days to claim from the Fund; under 13 weeks = no Fund payment. Failure to grant statutory leave is a labour-law breach enforceable via the Department of Labour Relations. Beware a myth: "my employer can pay me cash instead of letting me take my holiday" — the statutory 4 weeks is a rest entitlement that must generally be taken as time off; payment in lieu is normal only on termination. Tip: contracts can give more leave, never less.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
How much annual leave am I entitled to?
The minimum is four weeks of paid annual leave, that is 20 working days for a five-day week or 24 days for a six-day week. Contracts and collective agreements can give more leave, but never less than the statutory minimum.
What's needed for full entitlement?
For the full annual-leave entitlement you must have worked at least 48 weeks in the year. If you've worked less, the entitlement is reduced proportionately to your time of employment.
Who pays for the leave?
Leave pay comes either directly from the employer or from the Central Holiday Fund of the Social Insurance Services. To receive payment from the Fund, you must take at least nine consecutive days' leave.
Can my employer pay me instead of leave?
As a rule no. The statutory four weeks is a rest entitlement and must be taken as time off. Buying it out in cash is normal only on termination of employment.
What if I worked only a few weeks?
If you worked fewer than 13 weeks in the previous year, you get no payment from the Central Holiday Fund. For a payment with fewer than 48 weeks worked, at least four consecutive days' leave suffices.
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