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Overworked: Cyprus Among The EU’s Heaviest Hit With Long Working Hours

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

January 9, 2025

In the European Union, working long hours is a reality for millions. While the EU average workweek stands at 36 hours, the figures vary significantly from country to country.

Eurostat defines “long hours” as 49 or more per week, a category that applies to 7.1% of the EU workforce. Among the EU countries, the highest rates of long working hours are seen in Greece (11.6%), Cyprus (10.4%), and France (10.1%).

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The figures show a sharp contrast between self-employed individuals and employees, with 29.3% of the self-employed working long hours compared to just 3.6% of employees. Outside the EU, Turkey has the highest rate, with 27.2%, followed by Iceland with 13.8%.

Percentage of people working at least 49 hours a week

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Which Countries Have The Longest Working Week?

Turkey has the longest average working week at 44.2 hours, followed by Serbia (41.7 hours), Bosnia and Herzegovina (41.4 hours), and Greece (39.8 hours). The EU average, meanwhile, is 36.1 hours.

The sectors with the longest working hours are predominantly manual, with agriculture, forestry, and fishing leading the charge with an average of 41.5 hours per week, followed by mining and quarrying (39.1 hours), and construction (38.9 hours). Conversely, the shortest workweeks are found in the Netherlands (32.2 hours), Austria (33.6), and Germany (34.0).

Average working hours per week

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What’s The Situation In Cyprus?

In Cyprus, the working hours reflect a balance between the Mediterranean work culture and the global demand for productivity. With 10.4% of the workforce engaged in long hours (49 or more per week), Cyprus is among the countries with the highest rates in the EU. However, the overall average working week in Cyprus is relatively close to the EU average, standing at around 38.5 hours.

Similar to other EU countries, self-employed Cypriots are more likely to work longer hours compared to employees. Professions in sectors like agriculture, construction, and retail drive much of this statistic, as these industries often require extended working hours to meet demand.

Despite this, Cyprus has made strides in improving work-life balance, particularly in sectors outside of manual labor, where shorter working weeks are becoming more common. However, the island’s economic structure, heavily influenced by tourism and service industries, continues to push for longer working hours in certain areas, especially during peak seasons.

In conclusion, while Cyprus ranks high in terms of long working hours within the EU, ongoing efforts to modernize work practices and improve labor rights are expected to gradually alter the dynamics of work-life balance on the island in the coming years.

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EU Adopts New Package Travel Rules With 14-Day Refund Requirement

The Council of the European Union adopted updated rules on package travel, introducing stricter requirements for refunds, transparency and consumer protection across member states. Updated provisions revise the existing directive and define obligations for travel providers offering bundled services such as flights, accommodation and transfers.

Clarifying The Package Travel Directive

The updated directive clarifies the definition of package travel and excludes certain linked travel arrangements from its scope. Coverage applies to services sold as a single product, including combinations of transport, accommodation and additional services. This revision standardizes how travel products are classified and clarifies rights and obligations for both providers and consumers at the point of purchase.

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Enhancing Transparency And Consumer Rights

New rules require providers to disclose key information before and during travel, including payment terms, visa requirements, accessibility conditions and cancellation policies. These disclosures aim to reduce disputes and improve consumer awareness. Defined refund timelines include a 14-day period for cancellations due to extraordinary circumstances and up to six months in cases of organiser insolvency. The measures address gaps identified in earlier versions of the directive.

Ensuring Accountability And Trust In Travel Services

Organisers must implement complaint-handling systems and provide clear information on insolvency protection under the updated framework. These provisions aim to improve accountability across the travel sector. Previous disruptions, including the collapse of Thomas Cook and travel restrictions during COVID-19, exposed weaknesses in refund processes and consumer protection. Updated rules respond to those issues.

Implications For Cyprus And The Broader Industry

Tourism accounts for approximately 14% of Cyprus’s GDP, with package travel playing a central role in visitor flows. Major operators such as TUI and Jet2 provide structured travel offerings that support demand. Such operators contribute to revenue stability and help extend the tourism season by securing transport and accommodation in advance. Greater regulatory clarity may support continued sector growth.

A Model For Future Consumer Protection

Clearer rules on vouchers, refunds and insolvency protection now apply across the European Union. These measures aim to reduce consumer risk in cross-border travel. Implementation across member states will determine the impact on both consumers and travel providers. The framework may influence future regulatory approaches in the sector.