We would like to inform you that on 20 May 2025, the new amending Protection of Maternity Law 2025 was published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Cyprus, following its enactment by the House of Representatives.
According to the amendment:
- The period during which a working mother is entitled to interrupt her work for one (1) hour per day, or to arrive at work one hour later or leave one hour earlier, for the purposes of breastfeeding and/or increased care required for the upbringing of her child, is extended from nine (9) months to twelve (12) months.
- This period commences either from the date of childbirth or, in the case of adoption, from the commencement of maternity leave.
- The one (1) hour daily interruption or adjusted working schedule is considered and remunerated as working time.
Clarifications:
- The extension from nine (9) to twelve (12) months applies exclusively in cases where, as of the effective date of the amendment (20/05/2025), the nine-month period from the date of childbirth has not yet been completed.
- In cases where the nine-month period has been completed by 19/05/2025, the previous legislation continues to apply, and therefore, the working mother is not entitled to the twelve-month extension.
Should you require any further information or clarification, please do not hesitate to contact us.
