Cyprus Publishes Revised Rules On Employment Of Third-Country Students

The Federation of Employers and Manufacturers (FEM) announced a revised ordinance regulating the employment of international students from third countries. The regulation was published in the Official Gazette of the Republic on March 6, 2026.

Regulatory Framework And Scope

The ordinance defines the sectors of economic activity and professions in which international students may work while studying in Cyprus. Employers and educational institutions are expected to follow the provisions outlined in the updated framework.

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Eligibility And Academic Requirements

Under the regulation, international students may seek employment only after completing their first academic semester and enrolling for the following term. The requirement is intended to ensure that employment does not interfere with academic studies.

Documentation And Compliance Requirements

International students seeking employment must submit several documents, including:

A certificate confirming full-time enrollment and the academic program, issued by a recognized educational institution.
A monthly work schedule prepared by the employer.
A copy of a valid residence permit in the Republic.
An employment contract with a designated employer, approved by the Department of Labour and outlining the main terms of employment.

The Federation of Employers and Manufacturers said businesses should review the updated provisions when employing international students.

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Cyprus’ Poverty And Social Exclusion Risk Stands At 17.1%

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 20, 2026

Cyprus recorded a poverty or social exclusion risk rate of 17.1% in 2025, below the European Union average of 20.9%, according to new Eurostat figures. Across the bloc, however, more than 92 million people continued to face the risk, highlighting persistent social and economic inequalities.

More Than 92 Million People At Risk Across The EU

A total of 92.7 million people across the EU were at risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2025, equivalent to just over one in five residents.

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Cyprus is treated as a single statistical region because of its size, unlike many member states divided into multiple regions for comparison. Its national figure therefore provides an overall picture but does not capture differences between districts or communities.

Regional Gaps Remain Stark Across Europe

The risk varied considerably across the EU, with the highest rates concentrated largely in southern, eastern and outermost regions. In 24 of the 243 regions with available data, at least 31.5% of the population faced poverty or social exclusion.

These regions were located in Spain, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, France and Romania, as well as Brussels in Belgium and Bremen in north-western Germany.

French Guiana recorded the highest rate, at 54.8%, followed by Calabria in southern Italy at 45.3% and Sicily at 44%. Melilla, a Spanish autonomous city, recorded 43.7%, while Réunion, another French outermost region, stood at 42.3%.

Central Europe Records The Lowest Rates

At the other end of the scale, 24 regions reported poverty or social exclusion risk rates below 13% in 2025. These included five eastern EU capital regions: Bratislava in Slovakia, Warsaw in Poland, Prague in the Czech Republic, Budapest in Hungary and Zagreb in Croatia.

Other regions with low rates were concentrated in northern Italy, the Czech Republic, northern Belgium, Hungary, Poland and Austria, illustrating the uneven distribution of economic security across Europe.

Cyprus Remains Below The EU Average

Cyprus’ rate of 17.1% places it below the EU average, although it remains higher than the levels recorded in the bloc’s lowest-risk regions.

The figures suggest that Cyprus performs relatively well compared with the wider EU, but poverty and social exclusion remain significant challenges across the bloc, affecting more than 92 million people.

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