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Cyprus Tax-To-GDP Ratio Rises To 36.3% In 2025

Cyprus’ tax-to-GDP ratio edged up to 36.3% in 2025, from 36% in 2024, remaining below the European Union and euro area averages, according to Eurostat.

Across the EU, the ratio rose to 40.7% from 40.2%, while the euro area average increased to 41.3% from 40.7%.

EU Tax Revenues Reach €7.68 Trillion

The tax-to-GDP ratio measures revenue from taxes and net social contributions as a share of gross domestic product. It provides an indication of public revenue relative to the size of an economy, although national tax systems and social contribution rules vary.

EU governments collected €7.68 trillion in taxes and social contributions in 2025, an increase of €401 billion compared with the previous year.

France Records Highest Ratio

France had the EU’s highest tax-to-GDP ratio at 46%, followed by Belgium at 44.7%, Denmark at 44.3% and Austria at 43.9%.

At the other end of the scale, Ireland recorded the lowest ratio at 22.7%. Romania followed at 29.3%, Malta at 30.3% and Bulgaria at 30.6%.

Ratios Increase In 19 Member States

The tax-to-GDP ratio rose in 19 EU countries in 2025. Germany recorded the largest increase, climbing from 40.3% to 41.4%. Malta’s ratio rose from 29.3% to 30.3%, while Spain’s increased from 37.2% to 38.1%.

Eight member states recorded declines. Sweden saw the largest fall, from 41.8% to 41.2%, followed by Latvia, where the ratio dropped from 34.9% to 34.2%.

Cyprus’ 0.3-percentage-point increase was more modest than some of the changes elsewhere in the bloc. Its ratio nevertheless rose alongside the EU and euro area averages, reflecting a broader increase in tax and social contribution revenue relative to economic output.

Germany’s Flu Vaccination Rates Fall To A 17-Year Low

Public figures in the United Kingdom and the United States have made flu vaccination visible, including Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, who received his jab on camera, and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who was seen wearing a “I got my flu shot” badge. In Germany, however, vaccination rates are moving in the opposite direction.

According to figures reported by Deutsches Ärzteblatt, 34% of people aged 60 and older in Germany were vaccinated against influenza in 2025. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Germany’s public health agency, says that is the lowest level in 17 years.

Who Is Recommended To Get A Flu Vaccine?

RKI recommendations include annual flu vaccination for people aged 60 and over, people with chronic illnesses, residents of care homes, medical staff, pregnant women, and people whose work brings them into contact with certain animals, including pigs and poultry.

Older adults are encouraged to get vaccinated before winter. Germany also recommends pneumococcal vaccination for older people, along with immunisation against herpes zoster, or shingles. Adults should discuss whether vaccination against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is appropriate for them with a doctor.

For more information, see the Robert Koch Institute and its guidance on pneumococcal disease, shingles vaccination and RSV.

Who Should Consider Another Covid-19 Vaccination?

Covid-19 vaccination is recommended for people aged 75 and older and for people in higher-risk groups, including those with weakened immune systems and healthcare workers. Pregnant women with additional health risks may also be advised to get vaccinated.

Eligibility recommendations affect reimbursement: people covered by statutory health insurance may not have the cost of a Covid-19 vaccination covered in every circumstance. Anyone unsure about their eligibility should check with their insurer or healthcare provider.

RKI figures indicate that, in 2025, 16% of people aged 60 and older in Germany received a Covid-19 vaccination.

Germany Requires Measles Protection In Certain Settings

Germany’s childhood vaccination schedule covers diseases including tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough, polio, hepatitis B, meningococcal disease, measles, rubella and mumps. It also includes guidance on RSV immunisation for babies and young children. The RKI vaccination calendar sets out the schedule.

Under Germany’s Measles Protection Act, children must provide proof of vaccination or immunity before starting nursery or school. The requirement also applies to people born after 1970 who work in childcare or healthcare facilities.

The importance of maintaining vaccination coverage has been underscored by rising measles cases in several countries. Recent reporting has highlighted measles outbreaks across Europe and a surge in cases in the United States.

Research Into Wider Effects Of Vaccination

Vaccines are designed to protect against specific infections, but researchers are also studying whether some may have broader effects. Areas of investigation include whether flu vaccination can reduce cardiovascular complications and whether certain vaccines could influence dementia risk. These questions remain under study and should not be treated as established benefits.

Deutsches Ärzteblatt has reported on research into so-called heterologous, or non-specific, effects. The term describes the possibility that a vaccine’s interaction with the immune system may affect responses to other pathogens or diseases. Further research is needed to clarify the extent and significance of these effects.

ETFs Lead First Investments As Wealthyhood Expands In Cyprus

More than half of new investors in Cyprus made their first investment on Wealthyhood within seven days of signing up, with 14.4% investing on the same day. The typical first deposit was €100, while the median first investment was €55. Nearly two-thirds (64%) started with €100 or less.

ETFs Dominate First Investments

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) accounted for 56.8% of first investments. The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF was the most popular choice at 16.6%, followed by Bank of Cyprus shares at 10.2%.

Wealthyhood aims to make investing more accessible through entry points from €1, zero commission, fractional shares and an education hub with more than 50 guides. Its Autopilot service enables recurring investments, with the typical user investing €150 per month.

The Typical Investor Is 40 And Works Full Time

The typical investor in Cyprus is 40, works full time and earns €30,001 to €50,000 annually. Those aged 35 to 44 form the largest group, accounting for 31.7%, followed by people aged 45 to 54 at 25.9%.

Full-time employees represent 86.5% of users, while finance and insurance is the most common industry at 31.5%. Nicosia district accounts for 50.5% of investors, followed by Limassol at 25.6%.

Women make up about one in six new investors. Wealthyhood CEO Christodoulakis said improving financial education and reducing the cost and complexity of investing could help broaden participation, particularly among women and younger people.

Local Shares Attract New Investors

Since adding Cypriot and Greek stocks on July 17, Wealthyhood has seen 29.2% of buyers purchase at least one Cypriot share. Bank of Cyprus was the most popular individual stock, purchased by 35.8% of stock investors.

For 52.8% of users holding Cypriot shares, a local company was their first investment on the platform, compared with 1.8% of other investors. Those holding local shares also had larger portfolios, typically containing three investments rather than one.

Despite growing interest in local markets, international investments remain central. Since July 17, 8.6% of invested money went into Cypriot shares and 12.3% into Greek shares.

Global ETFs Remain Central To Portfolios

The United States accounted for 37.6% of invested money, followed by global ETFs at 21.1% and the rest of Europe at 16.5%.

As of September 30, 42.5% of investors who still held investments owned only ETFs. The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF was held by 24.4% of all investors, making it one of the platform’s most widely held funds.

The data also showed that 25.6% of investors held at least one stock listed on Euronext Athens, while 7.6% held shares listed on the Cyprus Stock Exchange.

Wealthyhood says its priorities include promoting regular investing, expanding automated services and improving financial literacy. The early figures suggest demand for accessible investment options, although sustained participation and a broader investor base will take time to establish.

Why Airbnb’s First Gala Drew Confusion And A Powerful Spotlight

When Airbnb hosted the first gala for its nonprofit in Los Angeles on Oct. 28, the internet’s response was less a question of who was there than what the event was.

Social media users joked that “Airbnb gala” sounded like an event someone had just invented. The surprise was understandable: A celebrity-studded red carpet is not the first thing many people associate with a home-sharing platform. But the occasion had a clear purpose. The gala marked a new chapter for Airbnb.org, the nonprofit the company launched in 2020 to provide free, temporary housing to people affected by crises and disasters.

A Gala With A Mission

Airbnb.org’s inaugural gala introduced a plan to direct a portion of Airbnb’s commercial revenue from each stay booked starting Oct. 28 to the nonprofit. The contribution is 10 cents per stay. Airbnb reported $12.2 billion in revenue last year, although the company’s announcement did not specify how many bookings would be needed to reach its fundraising ambition.

Airbnb says the initiative is expected to generate $500 million for Airbnb.org over five years. The funding will support the nonprofit’s goal of providing one million nights of free housing each year and broaden its work to include families displaced by domestic violence, veterans in need and people traveling for medical care.

A company spokesperson described the evening as a gathering for supporters and a way to mark “the next chapter” of the nonprofit’s work. Guests could donate, but fundraising was not the focus, the spokesperson said, and Airbnb.org set no fundraising target. The event was invitation-only, with no tables or seats sold. Airbnb plans to hold the gala annually.

Celebrity Power Meets Nonprofit Visibility

Jimmy Kimmel hosted the evening, which featured a live performance by Charli XCX and food curated by José Andrés of World Central Kitchen. Guests included Serena Williams, Demi Lovato, Charlize Theron and Cynthia Erivo.

The format placed Airbnb.org among a familiar roster of high-profile Los Angeles benefit events, including the Baby2Baby Gala and the Academy Museum Gala. Such gatherings can give nonprofits access to influential supporters while creating the kind of visibility that conventional fundraising appeals rarely achieve.

Why The Event Caught People Off Guard

The online reaction reflected a gap between Airbnb’s corporate profile and the work of its nonprofit arm. Many people were surprised that the company could convene A-list guests for a charitable event—and even more surprised to learn about Airbnb.org’s housing work.

That visibility matters for a company whose core business has also drawn scrutiny over its effects on housing affordability and local rental markets. An event alone cannot resolve those concerns. But it can introduce a different part of Airbnb’s story to a broad audience—and put a concrete charitable commitment in front of potential supporters.

The gala offered a reminder of why organizations stage these events: A room filled with donors, public figures and media can raise a cause’s profile as well as money. In Airbnb.org’s case, the immediate return may be less about a single night’s fundraising than about making its work better known.

Meta’s New AI App Turns Your Wardrobe Into A Personal Stylist

Meta is testing a new AI-powered styling app designed to help users plan outfits using clothes they already own. Style Sketch turns wardrobe photos into a digital closet and generates personalised outfit suggestions.

The app is available on iOS and Android in Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand. Its launch was first highlighted by social media consultant Matt Navarra. Meta has not commented on the launch or confirmed plans to expand availability.

From Instagram Photos To A Digital Wardrobe

Style Sketch can connect to Instagram and use users’ existing photos to help build a virtual wardrobe. Clothing can also be added manually by taking photos, recording short videos or uploading images from a camera roll.

Once the digital closet is ready, the app recommends outfit combinations based on the user’s style. Users can select a specific item and explore different ways to wear it. A virtual try-on feature also displays suggested looks on a model designed to reflect the user’s body shape and skin tone.

AI-Powered Outfit Planning For Travel

Style Sketch also helps users plan what to wear on trips. By entering a destination, travel dates and planned activities, users can generate a daily outfit schedule that accounts for their itinerary and the weather forecast.

This extends the app beyond wardrobe organisation, positioning it as a practical tool for planning outfits and deciding what to pack.

Instagram Could Give Meta An Edge

AI-powered styling is already a competitive market. Startups such as Alta are developing digital wardrobes and styling tools, while Google Photos has introduced features that help users organise clothing images into virtual closets.

Meta’s potential advantage lies in its existing ecosystem. Instagram already contains a visual record of users’ personal style, which could help Style Sketch build wardrobe profiles without requiring users to upload every item from scratch. With users’ permission, existing photos could make the setup process faster and more convenient.

Part Of Meta’s Wider AI App Strategy

Style Sketch joins a growing portfolio of AI-focused consumer apps from Meta. Recent launches include Waddle World, an AI-powered virtual pet experience; Pocket, a tool for creating and sharing games; and Vibes, which enables users to generate AI-powered videos.

The releases reflect Meta’s broader ambition to develop and launch apps more quickly. According to The Wall Street Journal, CEO Mark Zuckerberg told employees the company plans to release more apps than it has historically, citing AI-driven efficiencies in product development.

Style Sketch’s long-term success will depend on more than its outfit recommendations. Its appeal will hinge on how accurately it understands users’ wardrobes, how easily it helps them plan what to wear, and whether Instagram integration can turn an existing archive of personal style into a useful everyday service.

Cyprus Tightens Oversight Of Foreign-Owned Companies

Cyprus is tightening oversight of foreign-owned companies operating in the country, with a stronger focus on their actual economic activity rather than the origin of their capital.

The Council of Ministers has approved a revision of the registration framework, following a proposal from Energy, Commerce and Industry Minister Michael Damianos. The changes are intended to strengthen supervision and accountability while attracting businesses with a substantive presence and a measurable contribution to the Cypriot economy. As part of the reform, the Register of Companies of Foreign Interests will be renamed the Business Facilitation Centre Register.

Compliance Checks After Seven Years

The revised framework focuses on whether companies meet the obligations they accept when registering. Checks on compliance with the 70–30 employment ratio—Cypriot and foreign employees, respectively—will take place seven years after a company’s registration. Firms that fail to meet their requirements may be removed from the register.

Companies will also be required to submit annual employment reports from January 1, enabling authorities to monitor compliance systematically. The framework further clarifies the conditions under which a company can retain its registration if its ultimate beneficial owners acquire Cypriot or another European Union citizenship.

Broader Business And Talent Strategy Due In December

The changes form part of a wider Strategy for Attracting Businesses and Talent, which Damianos said is expected to be completed in December. The strategy is intended to support companies with a genuine local presence, growth prospects and a tangible contribution to Cyprus’s economy, under clearer procedures and more effective oversight.

Consultations with the business community and other stakeholders are underway. The first workshop took place on Monday, with a second scheduled for October 29 as part of the strategy review.

Cyprus Industrial Production Slips 1.3% In August As Manufacturing Weakens

Cyprus’ industrial production fell by 1.3% year on year in August 2026, as weaker manufacturing output outweighed growth in mining, water supply and electricity, according to the Cyprus Statistical Service (Cystat).

The Industrial Production Index stood at 90.9 points, with 2021 as the base year at 100. Despite the August decline, industrial production increased by 1.2% over the first eight months of 2026 compared with the same period last year.

Manufacturing Weakens As Mining Output Rises

Manufacturing production dropped by 2.5% year on year in August. By contrast, mining and quarrying grew by 11%, while water supply and materials recovery increased by 5.7%. Electricity supply edged up by 0.1%.

Within manufacturing, rubber and plastic products recorded the strongest growth, rising by 7.1%. Production of wood and cork products, excluding furniture, increased by 6.4%.

Machinery and equipment, motor vehicles and other transport equipment saw the sharpest decline, with output falling by 12.8%. Refined petroleum products, chemicals and chemical products, and pharmaceutical products and preparations each declined by 7.1%. Production of other non-metallic mineral products fell by 4.8%.

Eight-Month Growth Remains Uneven

From January to August, water collection, treatment and supply recorded the strongest increase, rising by 11.5% compared with the same period in 2025.

Basic metals and fabricated metal products grew by 5.5%, while wood and cork products, excluding furniture, increased by 5%.

Materials recovery recorded the largest cumulative decline, falling by 6.7%. Production of machinery and equipment, motor vehicles and other transport equipment decreased by 6.2%.

The figures highlight uneven performance across Cyprus’ industrial sector. Growth in water-related activities and selected manufacturing segments has supported overall output, but continued weakness in machinery and transport equipment remains a drag on the sector.

Cyprus Environmental Authority Rejects Restaurant Plan At Lady’s Mile

Plans for a restaurant in the protected coastal area of Lady’s Mile have been rejected as part of a wider environmental review of development in the British Sovereign Base Areas of Akrotiri and Dhekelia. The Environmental Authority of the Republic of Cyprus has also opposed tourism and livestock proposals while setting strict conditions for several other projects.

The authority’s opinion on the proposed policy framework establishes that development must be supported by demonstrated need and avoid lasting damage to protected habitats, water resources and productive agricultural land.

Restaurant Proposal At Lady’s Mile Rejected

The authority rejected a proposal to reopen a restaurant between the Oceanica and Columbia Sun venues at Lady’s Mile, adopting the findings of an appropriate assessment.

The assessment found that the development could cause irreversible damage to the Natura 2000-protected Akrotiri Site of Community Importance and Akrotiri Wetlands Special Protection Area. The coastal area provides breeding habitat for loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta) and green turtles (Chelonia mydas), as well as nesting grounds for rare bird species.

Construction and operation could increase human disturbance, habitat degradation, noise and light pollution, and pressure from surrounding development. Any licence for the existing restaurant must remain within its current footprint, ruling out further expansion.

Tourism And Livestock Projects Face Restrictions

A proposed 6.6-hectare extension of the T4a Tourism Zone at Avdimou was also rejected. The authority noted that the existing zone remains undeveloped, meaning there is no demonstrated need for expansion that could threaten species in the neighbouring Episkopi Site of Community Importance.

In Ormideia, the authority opposed a proposed livestock zone because a major drainage channel crosses the site. Livestock activity could increase flood risk and cause serious water pollution.

Other Developments Approved With Conditions

Several proposals received conditional approval under the supplementary Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment, subject to further studies and safeguards.

  • Monasteries At Akrotiri And Sotira: Expansion of the Monastery of Saint Nicholas of the Cats and the Monastery of Christ the Counsellor may cover up to 50% of the area allocated to licensed auxiliary or complementary uses, including guesthouses and shared facilities. Each project must first be screened to determine whether an appropriate assessment is needed.
  • Residential And Agricultural Development At Asomatos: Expansion of residential zones and agrotourism accommodation on irrigated Z1 agricultural land cannot proceed until a comprehensive study examines bird conservation needs within the Special Protection Area, local hydrology and mosquito management.
  • Camping And Church Works At Xylophagou: The organised camping and caravan site must be relocated at least 200 metres west of the Cape Pyla Site of Community Importance, maintaining a 50-metre buffer from the coastline. Redevelopment around Panagia Evangelistria Church is limited to 43,000 square metres to establish a protected zone.

Urban Expansion Must Demonstrate A Clear Need

The authority also reviewed proposed residential expansions in Ypsonas, Kolossi, Trachoni, Paramali, Ormideia, Xylophagou, Achna and Frenaros.

Planning bodies have been urged to minimise the loss of productive agricultural land and avoid disrupting land-consolidation schemes and government irrigation projects. Residential expansion should be permitted only where an urgent housing need has been demonstrated.

In Ypsonas and Kolossi, a unified master plan for stormwater management and flood protection is mandatory. In Ypsonas’s G3-H3 industrial area, landowners must commission a soil assessment and complete any required decontamination before the land can be converted to residential use.

Environmental Protection To Shape Future Planning

The authority’s opinion will guide the British Bases Administration and the Department of Town Planning in assessing future development proposals. Its conditions underline the need to weigh economic and residential growth against the environmental importance of the Akrotiri Peninsula and the Dhekelia area.

Implementation will be crucial. Whether projects can proceed will depend on compliance with the new safeguards, while proposals that cannot meet the environmental requirements may need to be redesigned or rejected.

Binance’s Reported $6.3 Billion Breach Sends Crypto Markets Lower

A reported $6.3 billion security breach at Binance has shaken cryptocurrency markets and renewed questions about the risks of holding digital assets on centralized exchanges. If confirmed at the scale described by analysts, the theft would rank as the largest crypto heist on record.

Binance said it was working with industry partners to freeze the stolen assets, with roughly $3 billion located so far. Co-founder Yi He said the exchange would cover “all hacking losses.” The company said customer deposits were unaffected and that it expected to resume withdrawals within 48 hours.

Investigators Point To North Korean Actors

Blockchain analysis firms TRM Labs and Chainalysis attributed the attack to North Korean hackers. According to TRM Labs, attackers targeted Binance wallets across 10 blockchains and moved most of the funds in about 20 minutes.

TRM Labs said several elements of the operation resembled previous attacks linked to North Korea, including the 2025 theft from crypto exchange Bybit, which the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation attributed to Pyongyang. The firm said it made the assessment with “high confidence.” North Korea’s mission in Geneva and its embassy in China did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Binance said its preliminary investigation suggested the breach may have begun with a compromised laptop belonging to an engineer. The device may have enabled an attacker to access a system and make unauthorized withdrawals. The company said its security team was tracing the full attack path.

Bitcoin And Other Crypto Assets Retreat

Markets reacted swiftly to news of the breach. Bitcoin fell more than 3% to a six-week low of $76,368, while ether dropped more than 3% to a two-month low of $2,178. BNB, the token associated with Binance, was down 5% over 24 hours at $709.70, according to CoinGecko.

In extended U.S. trading, shares of Coinbase Global fell 4.8%, while Strategy, a major corporate holder of bitcoin, lost nearly 6%.

The declines came amid an already challenging backdrop for digital assets, with higher U.S. interest rates and softer demand from exchange-traded fund buyers weighing on sentiment. A breach of this scale could add to investor caution, particularly around assets held by centralized platforms.

“It may further dampen risk appetite and prompt investors to reassess the safety of assets held on centralized exchanges, as well as counterparty, solvency and liquidity risks,” said Tim Sun, a senior researcher at Hong Kong-based HashKey Group.

Crypto Firms Move To Freeze Funds

Several companies said they had frozen assets connected to the incident. Stablecoin issuer Tether reported freezing nearly $1.57 billion, while Circle froze more than $800 million. Binance’s Yi said Ripple had frozen roughly $200 million in funds.

World Liberty Financial, a crypto company linked to U.S. President Donald Trump and his family, said it worked with custodian BitGo to freeze funds. Yi said the frozen assets included $27 million in stablecoins and about $2 million worth of World Liberty tokens. Ripple said it was monitoring reports of a potential Binance exploit and coordinating with relevant parties.

Binance also operates a Secure Asset Fund for Users, a reserve held in bitcoin and intended to help protect customers in the event of a security breach. The exchange said user funds remained safe, but the incident’s scale will put that assurance—and the platform’s ability to manage a major loss—under close scrutiny.

A Breach With Industry-Wide Implications

Binance reported 335 million registered users worldwide and approximately $162.8 billion in assets under custody in its 2025 annual report. The size of its customer base and holdings means the incident could influence confidence well beyond the exchange itself.

“It’s becoming very hard to counter hacks as AI can find vulnerabilities faster than you can fix them,” said Bernardo Brites, chief executive of payments and stablecoin infrastructure company Trace Finance. He added that users may become more reluctant to leave funds on smaller and midsize exchanges that could struggle to absorb a significant loss.

Crypto theft remains a persistent risk. TRM Labs researchers said attackers stole $2.9 billion in cryptocurrency across nearly 150 attacks last year. In September, exchange Bitget reported that roughly $350 million in crypto had been stolen from its platform. Authorities have also warned that organized criminal groups use cryptocurrencies to move money across borders outside the traditional financial system.

Binance.US, a separate exchange, said it was not affected. Coinbase also said it was unaffected and was monitoring developments. In an unrelated incident, prediction-market operator Polymarket temporarily halted trading after a security issue involving a third-party provider, then resumed trading and said it would reimburse affected traders.

How The Reported Breach Compares With Major Crypto Heists

PeriodCompany Or PlatformReported AmountWhat Happened
February 2025Bybit$1.5 billionDigital tokens were taken from a cold wallet used for ether holdings.
March 2022Ronin NetworkAbout $540 millionHackers stole ether and USD Coin from the blockchain network linked to the Axie Infinity game.
February 2022Wormhole$320 millionAttackers took 120,000 tokens connected to ether. Jump Trading later replaced the funds.
August 2021Poly Network$610 millionThe attackers later returned nearly all the stolen funds, drawing attention to vulnerabilities in decentralized finance.
January 2018Coincheck$530 millionThieves drained a hot wallet stored online. South Korea’s intelligence agency said a North Korean group may have been responsible.
2011–2014Mt. GoxNearly $500 million in bitcoinThe Tokyo-based exchange, once responsible for most bitcoin trading, filed for bankruptcy in 2014 after the theft came to light.

The reported Binance breach underscores a central challenge for the crypto industry: as platforms scale and connect to more networks, the potential rewards for attackers—and the consequences of a successful intrusion—also grow. The immediate test for Binance is to recover or freeze assets and demonstrate that customer funds and withdrawal operations remain secure. The longer-term test will be whether investors continue to trust centralized exchanges with substantial holdings.

Cyprus Public Sector Workers To Receive Pay Rises Of Up To 7.4% In November

Hourly paid employees in Cyprus’s public sector are expected to receive long-awaited pay rises at the end of November, with increases backdated to October 1, 2026.

The agreement between the government and trade unions has been approved by the Council of Ministers. As the changes could not be included in October’s payroll, employees are expected to receive the increases the following month, including any retroactive payments.

Final Steps Before Implementation

The Department of Public Administration and Personnel is expected to circulate the final agreement to employees and unions for formal approval before the renewed collective agreement is signed.

Employers including the State Health Services Organization and school boards will also need to receive official circulars before implementing the changes.

Pay Rises To Range From 3.5% To 7.4%

The government’s final proposal provides for a total increase of 3.5% over the 2025–2027 period, matching the term of the renewed collective agreement for hourly paid workers. A 2% rise will apply retroactively from October 1, 2026, followed by a further 1.5% from January 1, 2027.

The effective increase will be higher for some lower-paid employees, ranging from 3.5% to 7.4%. Workers earning €2,100 or more will receive the lowest rate, while those earning up to €979 will receive the highest.

The agreement also establishes a minimum amount for general pay increases to ensure that no employee’s salary falls below the minimum wage. Trade unions identified this safeguard as a key factor in reaching an agreement.

Unions Had Called For An 8% Increase

Trade unions had sought a total pay rise of 8% over the three-year period. The last increase for hourly paid government employees was 1.5%, awarded in October 2024.

Cyprus’s government workforce includes approximately 11,000 hourly paid employees.

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