FAQs

To employ a third-country national as a domestic worker, the employer must meet the income criteria set by the Migration Department. Certain categories of employers, such as persons with disabilities, beneficiaries of the Guaranteed Minimum Income and certain pension beneficiaries, may be exempt from these criteria.

The minimum requirement is a basic knowledge of either Greek or English. However, where the employer is a foreign national permanently residing in Cyprus who wishes to employ a domestic worker who speaks the same language, knowledge of Greek or English is not required.

The employment of a male domestic worker is permitted only where the employer has serious mobility difficulties, such as being bedridden or having severe disabilities, and a medical certificate from a specialist doctor is submitted.

The employer is responsible for ensuring the lawful employment of the domestic employee, including salary payments, social insurance contributions, suitable accommodation and meals, medical coverage, and compliance with all employment and immigration requirements.

The minimum monthly gross salary for a domestic employee is €460, regardless of the employee’s country of origin.

The employer must provide suitable accommodation. This may be a private room within the employer's residence, a private room in an auxiliary building of the residence, or a private room in a rented property.

A domestic worker is entitled to 24 working days of leave.

A domestic worker is entitled to the official public holidays observed in Cyprus, in accordance with the applicable employment regulations and the terms of the employment contract.

There is no maximum permitted duration of stay for domestic workers in Cyprus, provided they continue to meet the applicable residence and employment requirements.

A domestic worker cannot change employers more than twice (three employers in total), except in specific cases, for example where the new employer is a close relative or a person over 75 years of age.