Cyprus cabinet approves disability reform bill

On Thursday, the Cyprus Council of Ministers approved the Social Participation, Inclusion and Independent Living of Persons with Disabilities Law 2026. Proposed by the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare, the bill seeks to modernize social services and consolidate disability legislation into a single framework. Deputy Minister Klea Papaellina stated that a core component of the reform is the removal of income-based criteria for disability benefits for individuals with severe conditions. The legislation aims to promote autonomy by allowing beneficiaries to choose their own personal assistants and lifting existing restrictions on caregiver appointments. The bill also expands the list of eligible beneficiaries and aims to improve access to education, employment, and social life. The reforms were developed following consultations with civil society and disability organizations. The policy aligns with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the European Disability Rights Strategy 2021–2030. The draft law will now be forwarded to the House of Representatives for parliamentary approval.