New Session Schedule

HaBiC sessions will take place once a month on the last Thursday of each month at 4:00 pm, led by our caseworker. Upcoming date is:

• Thursday, September 17 – 4:00 pm

What to Expect

HaBiC sessions offer practical advice and a supportive environment for pregnant women and new parents. Whether you are a beneficiary or not, you are welcome to attend and learn more about pregnancy, birth, and caring for a newborn in Cyprus,  as well as information regarding registering the baby with the authorities and allowances the mother is entitled to.

How to Join

No registration is required—simply come to the Caritas Cyprus Center on the date that suits you. If you are due to give birth before the next session, please call us for assistance with newborn clothing or other immediate needs.

Stay tuned for future updates as we continue to share new dates every few months.

The post Having a Baby in Cyprus Info Session: Thursday September 17 appeared first on Community Compass by Caritas Cyprus.

Step 1: Understand the Social Insurance Fund

What It Covers

The Social Insurance Fund provides benefits for maternity, paternity, parenthood, childbirth, sickness, unemployment, and disability, among others — subject to certain conditions to be completed online through the CY Login platform.

Step 2: Know Your Unemployment and Sickness Allowances

How to Apply

• The first 3 days of interruption of employment are unpaid; allowance can then be paid from the 4th day, for up to 156 consecutive days
• To apply for the unemployment allowance, register first on the online platform of the Public Employment Services of the Department of Labour, then apply through the CY Login platform
• Recognised refugees and subsidiary protection beneficiaries may also need to register with the Guaranteed Minimum Income application to benefit from this allowance separately, unless they’re out of work for an extended period

Step 3: Understand Healthcare Coverage (GeSY)

The General Healthcare System

• All recognised refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection are covered by GeSY (the General Healthcare System), which includes all public healthcare facilities, healthcare professionals, and pharmacies — as well as any private sector medical facilities and pharmacies that follow the same GeSY rules
• Asylum seekers are only covered by GeSY if they work and pay contributions into the system. If they don’t work, they are not eligible for GeSY coverage, and can only be treated in the public healthcare sector.

Step 4: Know About Social Welfare Benefits

If You Need Support

Asylum seekers can benefit from Feeding, Clothing and Footwear Allowance, Electricity, Water and Pocket-Money Allowance, as well as Rent Allowance depending on the number of family members, from the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare. They do not need to be employed or registered as jobseekers to benefit from these allowances.

Step 5: Understand Contributions and Tax

Social Security Contributions and Income Tax

• Personal income tax is progressive: 0% up to €19,500/year; 20% from €19,501–28,000; 25% from €28,001–36,300; 30% from €36,301–60,000; 35% above €60,001
• Main contributions and deductions, split between employee and employer, include: Social Insurance Fund, Redundancy Fund, Human Resource Development Fund, Social Cohesion Fund, and the General Healthcare System (GeSY)
• More information on contributions is available online through the CY Login platform

Your Next Steps

1. Set up your CY Login account if you haven’t already.
2. Register with the Public Employment Services if you become unemployed.
3. Check with the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare if you need support with rent, food, or other essentials.
4. If you’re an asylum seeker and not working, remember you’re only covered by public healthcare, not GeSY.

Source: Inclusive Labour Market — A Short Guide to Working in Cyprus for Refugees and Asylum Seekers, May 2023.

The post A Short Guide to Working in Cyprus – Social Insurance, Healthcare & Welfare Benefits appeared first on Community Compass by Caritas Cyprus.

Program Details

The program begins in September, and runs for six months until February. Classes will be held twice per week.

Transportation Support

To make participation easier, transportation costs will be covered for all registered students.

How to Register

To secure your spot and arrange the dates please contact the teacher on Whatsapp : 99 39 93 39

Don’t miss this chance to improve your Greek, connect with others, and open new doors for integration and communication!

The post A1 Greek at Caritas – Registration Open appeared first on Community Compass by Caritas Cyprus.

Step 1: Obtain a Birth Certificate

The first step is to register your baby’s birth and obtain a birth certificate.

Step 2: Apply for the Baby’s Asylum Status

Once you have the birth certificate, you must apply for the baby to be granted asylum seeker status. This involves two steps:

1. Apply for an ARC (Alien Registration Certificate):
   Visit the Migration Department in Nicosia or the Immigration Office in your district.
2. Request a Confirmation Letter:
   This must be done at the Asylum Service Office in Nicosia or your district’s Immigration Office.

Step 3: Inform Social Welfare (if applicable)

If you are receiving Social Welfare (SW) benefits, submit the baby’s ARC and Confirmation Letter to your social worker. Once the documents are processed, you will receive an additional allowance for your child.

If You Have a Rejected Asylum Application

If your asylum claim has been rejected but you have a pending appeal, the authorities will issue an ARC for your baby but not a Confirmation Letter.

Important: Make sure the baby is still registered in the system  (ask the officer at the Asylum Service to do so. They will not give you any document to confirm that this has been done ). Your social worker will check that the child has been added to your asylum file and will proceed with the appropriate benefits.

If the Father Is an EU National

If your baby’s father is an EU national, the authorities will not issue an ARC or Confirmation Letter, as the child is entitled to the status of the father. In such cases, the baby will follow a different legal process for registration and rights.

The post Documents Needed for Newborns of Asylum Seekers in Cyprus: What You Need to Know appeared first on Community Compass by Caritas Cyprus.

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Primary and secondary education are mandatory in Cyprus. Attendance in the public sector schools is free for all classes from ages 5 to 18, and mandatory from ages 5 to 15. The language of instruction is Greek, while English is taught as a second language from first grade. — UNHCR Cyprus

Preschool

Prior to primary school (5 years), you have several options. Unfortunately, none of them are free. You will have to pay a monthly fee.

• For children 0-3 years old, you will need a private nursery. The younger the child, the more expensive it will be. The cost can vary between 250 to 350 euros per month.
• Children 3 years – 4 years 8 months may be accepted by government nurseries, which are attached to primary schools, if there is space available. The cost is 42 euros a month or 160 euros a month, depending on the authority in charge.

To register at a government nursery school:

You must find the school with a nursery nearest to your house and speak to the school directly. If there is no space available, the school will suggest registering your child for the next academic year. Registrations take place mid-January every year.

If the school has space for your child, you will need to fill out an application and submit it with copies of the following documents:

• ID documents of the child (residence permit, passport or Confirmation Letter and ARC)
• Birth certificate of the child (original birth certificate if the child was born in Cyprus)
• Confirmation of address (contract of rent or a letter from Social Welfare)
• Utility bill at same address
• Signatures of both parents
  • If you and your spouse live together, only one of you must sign the application at the bottom.
  • If you live apart and there is court order for shared custody, both of you must sign in paragraph (a) and court order must be attached. At the bottom of the application, the parent who makes the application signs.
  • If one spouse lives abroad, they must send an email to the other confirming that they give permission for the child to go to a Cypriot school per the primary parent’s choice.
  • If there is no contact with the spouse, the primary parent must sign in paragraph (a) and in the place of other’s signature, they must state that there is no contact and for how long.

Primary School

For children 5 – 12 years old (born 2012-2019), you should submit an applications right away at the District Education Office (see contact details at the end of this post). Your child will start school immediately.

For children who will soon turn 5 (born Jan-Aug 2020), you will need to submit an application to nearest school in January 2025 during the week of registration or to the District Education Office (see contact details at the end of this post) after direct registration is over. Your child will start school in September 2025.

Here is the application and a list of copies of documents that must be attached.

• ID documents of the child (residence permit, passport or Confirmation Letter and ARC)
• Birth certificate of the child (original birth certificate if the child was born in Cyprus)
• Confirmation of address (contract of rent or a letter from Social Welfare)
• Utility bill at same address
• Signatures of both parents
  • If you and your spouse live together, only one of you must sign the application at the bottom.
  • If you live apart and there is court order for shared custody, both of you must sign in paragraph (a) and court order must be attached. At the bottom of the application, the parent who makes the application signs.
  • If one spouse lives abroad, they must send an email to the other confirming that they give permission for the child to go to a Cypriot school per the primary parent’s choice.
  • If there is no contact with the spouse, the primary parent must sign in paragraph (a) and in the place of other’s signature, they must state that there is no contact and for how long.

IF YOU MOVE to another district/city, you need to request a transfer to a new primary school. The transfer application must be submitted to District Education Office (see contact details at the end of this post) with documents as above plus:

• A letter of attendance from the current school.
• Confirmation of the new address.

Secondary School

Secondary school is for children from 12 years up to 18 years old. If your child was born between 2006-2011, you need to proceed with an application asap at the District Education Office (see contact details at the end of this post). Your child will start school immediately.

As above, here is a list of the documentation copies that must be attached.

• ID documents of the child (residence permit, passport or Confirmation Letter and ARC)
• Birth certificate of the child (original birth certificate if the child was born in Cyprus)
• Confirmation of address (contract of rent or a letter from Social Welfare)
• Utility bill at same address
• Signatures of both parents
  • If you and your spouse live together, only one of you must sign the application at the bottom.
  • If you live apart and there is court order for shared custody, both of you must sign in paragraph (a) and court order must be attached. At the bottom of the application, the parent who makes the application signs.
  • If one spouse lives abroad, they must send an email to the other confirming that they give permission for the child to go to a Cypriot school per the primary parent’s choice.
  • If there is no contact with the spouse, the primary parent must sign in paragraph (a) and in the place of other’s signature, they must state that there is no contact and for how long.

IF YOU MOVE to another district/city, you need to request a transfer to a new primary school. The transfer application must be submitted to District Education Office with documents as above plus:

• A letter of attendance from the current school.
• Confirmation of the new address.

DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICE CONTACT DETAILS

The post How to Enroll Your Children in School in Cyprus? appeared first on Community Compass by Caritas Cyprus.

Relocation of asylum seekers can refer to three different processes: the Dublin Procedure, the Voluntary Solidarity Mechanism (VSM), and resettlement by the UNHCR. In Cyprus, the first two are the most relevant.

A common question we receive is whether asylum seekers can apply for relocation to another EU country if they have relatives—like a sibling or an uncle—living there. The simple answer is no. The Dublin Regulation requires EU countries to take in an asylum seeker only under specific circumstances: if the person is a minor with parents living in another EU state, if they are a parent of a minor residing there, or if they are married to someone in that country. So, having a more distant relative in another EU country does not meet the criteria.

Most people relocated to other EU countries, however, do not fall under the Dublin Regulation. Instead, they are moved through the European Union’s Voluntary Solidarity Mechanism (VSM). This program allows certain EU member states to volunteer to take in a set number of asylum seekers from countries like Cyprus, which receive a higher number of applications.

Because the VSM is voluntary, the selection criteria are not publicly available, and there is no formal application process. There is no way to directly apply for it.

Finally, it’s important to note that, like the VSM, it’s not possible to apply for resettlement through UNHCR. The UNHCR selects candidates from recognized refugees who meet their criteria, such as being at risk of refoulement, among other factors. In fact, it can be said that resettlement through the UNHCR is not carried out in Cyprus, as the UNHCR’s public records show no submissions from Cyprus in over a decade.

If you are still unsure about your options or have specific questions, feel free to reach out to our Help Line for guidance. We’re here to help!

The post EU Relocation: What is it and can Caritas help? appeared first on Community Compass by Caritas Cyprus.

Step 1: Know Your Right to Organise

Collective Relations

Article 21 of the Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus protects the right of association, including specifically the right to establish and join a trade union. Cyprus has a relatively high level of trade union organisation. The main national, multi-sectoral workers’ organisations are:

• PEO – Pancyprian Federation of Labour
• SEK – Cyprus Workers Confederation
• DEOK – Democratic Labour Federation of Cyprus
• POAS – Pancyprian Federation of Independent Trade Unions

Other independent sectoral workers’ organisations include PASYDY (Pancyprian Public Servants Union), POED (Pancyprian Organisation of Greek Teachers), OELMEK (Pancyprian Secondary Education Teachers Union), and ETYK (Union of Banking Employees of Cyprus).

Step 2: Know How to File a Complaint

If You Have a Dispute With Your Employer

Employees are entitled to a written notice of termination outlining the grounds — and to a chance to respond, if the termination is based on unsatisfactory performance or misconduct.

Asylum seekers wishing to file a complaint against their employer need to:

1. File the complaint with the Aliens and Immigration Unit of the Police, which is then sent to the competent District Office of the Department of Labour Relations
2. The relevant District Office will call both parties (employee and employer) to a meeting, so they may take a position on the matter
3. Following this meeting, an inspector of the Labour Relations Department prepares a statement of facts, with a recommendation, which comprises an official position that they send to the Labour Disputes Resolution Committee
4. The recommendation is then sent to an official of the Civil Registry and Migration Department of the Ministry of Interior, and an official of the Civil Registry and Migration Unit of the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance, who take a position in writing
5. The final decision is then taken by the Assistant Director of the Civil Registry and Migration Department, who notifies the two parties. Recognised refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection may file their complaint directly with the Department of Labour Relations.

Step 3: Save These Useful Contacts

Useful Contacts

• Asylum Service: Arch. Makarios III Ave. 70, Nicosia — 22445245 — info@asylum.moi.gov.cy
• Cyprus Refugee Council: Stasandrou 9, 4th Fl., 1060 Nicosia — 22205959 — info@cyrefugeecouncil.org (also see the Help Refugees Work platform)
• UNHCR Cyprus Office: Polyviou Dimitrakopoulou, Egkomi — 22359043 — cypni@unhcr.org (also see the HELP platform)
• Department of Labour: Clementos 9, 1061 Nicosia — 22400801 — director@dl.mlsi.gov.cy
• Department of Labour Relations: Griva Digeni 54, 1096 Nicosia — 22803100 — info@dlr.mlsi.gov.cy
• Department of Labour Inspection: 12 Apellis, 1080 Nicosia — 22405623 — info@dli.mlsi.gov.cy
• Social Insurance Services: Vyronos 7, 1465 Nicosia — 22401600 — director@sid.mlsi.gov.cy
• Cyprus Bar Association: Florinis 11, Office 101, 1st Floor, 1065 Nicosia — 22873300 — info@cba.org.cy
• Ombudsman / Commissioner for Administration and the Protection of Human Rights: Era House, Diagorou 2, 1097 Nicosia — 22672881 — ombudsman@ombudsman.gov.cy
• Gender Equality in Employment and Vocational Training Committee: Vyronos 7, 1463 Nicosia — 22400894 — genderequalitycommittee@mlsi.gov.cy
• PEO – Pancyprian Federation of Labour: Archermou 29, 1045 Nicosia — 22866400 — peo@peo.org.cy
• SEK – Cyprus Workers Confederation: Leof. Strovolou 11, 2018 Strovolos — 22849849 — sek@sek.org.cy
• DEOK – Democratic Labour Federation of Cyprus: Vyronos 40, 1096 Nicosia — 22872177 — contact@deok.org.cy
• POAS – Pancyprian Federation of Independent Trade Unions: Athalassas 168, Minos Ct., Off. 401, 2025 Strovolos — 22516600 — info@poas.org.cy

Your Next Steps

1. Save the contacts above that are most relevant to your situation.
2. If you have a workplace dispute, start by contacting the Department of Labour Relations or the Aliens and Immigration Unit of the Police.
3. Remember that joining a trade union is a right protected by the Constitution.
4. Reach out to Caritas or another NGO if you need help navigating any of these steps.

Source: Inclusive Labour Market — A Short Guide to Working in Cyprus for Refugees and Asylum Seekers, May 2023.

The post A Short Guide to Working in Cyprus – Labour Relations, Trade Unions & Useful Contacts appeared first on Community Compass by Caritas Cyprus.

Step 1: Annual and Sick Leave

Annual Paid Leave

The minimum entitlement is 20 working days for employees on a five-day week, or 24 working days for a six-day week — though individual or collective agreements, or employer custom, may grant more.

Sick Leave

There’s no statutory minimum period an employer must pay directly, unless your individual or collective agreement says otherwise. However, if you’re covered by the Social Insurance Fund, you can claim sickness benefit for continuous sickness or injury for up to 12 months, plus one quarter.

Step 2: Leave Around Having a Child

Maternity Leave

• 18 weeks of maternity leave (in the case of a third or later child, 4 further weeks)
• 8 weeks for adoption of a child, or an 8-week paid one-hour breastfeeding break for 9 months upon return to work in cases of adoption
• Any dismissal from the start of pregnancy until 5 months after the end of maternity leave (with certain exceptions) is a criminal offence

Paternity Leave

• 2 weeks of paid leave, to be taken within 16 weeks of the childbirth or adoption
• You must notify your employer at least 2 weeks in advance
• Paid directly by the Social Insurance Fund; some professions may top up the allowance to full salary

Parental Leave

• Each parent is entitled to 18 weeks total, taken up to the child’s 8th birthday
• Extended to 23 weeks for a widowed or single parent, and up to the child’s 18th birthday for children with disabilities
• Minimum of 5 weeks per calendar year, unless otherwise agreed
• You must give your employer at least 6 weeks’ written notice

Carers’ Leave

Up to 5 days per year, unpaid, to provide personal care or support to a relative — or a person living in your household — who needs it due to a serious medical reason. You’ll need to notify your employer and provide a medical certificate.

Step 3: Leave for Emergencies

Force Majeure Leave

Employees can take up to 7 days per year, unpaid, for urgent family reasons related to illness or accident that requires your immediate presence. You must notify your employer as soon as possible.

Your Next Steps

1. Check which leave entitlements apply to your situation.
2. Notify your employer in writing and in advance whenever the law requires it.
3. Keep supporting documents (medical certificates, notices) in case you need them later.
4. If your employer refuses a leave you’re entitled to, contact the Department of Labour Relations or an NGO for advice.

Source: Inclusive Labour Market — A Short Guide to Working in Cyprus for Refugees and Asylum Seekers, May 2023.

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When: Wednesday, September 2nd, 2026, at 21:00 Where: Makarios III Amphitheatre (School for the Blind), Nicosia

This acclaimed production was staged at the 29th International Festival of Ancient Greek Drama 2026. At its heart, the play explores war, trauma, and how fear and nationalism can turn a suffering society against itself — themes that resonate powerfully with our present day. The performance also questions the idea of a “pure” identity, tracing Thebes’ own foreign origins back to its founder, Cadmus of Phoenicia.

The production is performed in seven languages — Ancient Greek, Modern Greek, Arabic, Farsi, Somali, Serbian, and Hindi — and weaves in real testimonies from people who have lived through war. It runs 75 minutes without intermission, with Greek and English overtitles, and is suitable for ages 12 and up.

Twenty (20) complimentary tickets have been generously offered to refugees and asylum seekers currently hosted on the island.

If you’d like to attend, please come by the Migrant Center to request a ticket. Spots are limited, so don’t wait too long to reserve yours!

The post Free Tickets: “Seven Against Thebes” – Ancient Greek Theatre in Nicosia appeared first on Community Compass by Caritas Cyprus.