New decree regulates employment for non-EU students in Cyprus

On March 6, 2026, the Minister of Labor Marinos Mousiouttas issued a new decree published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Cyprus regarding the employment of non-EU students. The regulation allows these students to work in specific sectors, including wholesale and retail trade, loading and unloading, petrol station operations, car washes, and elderly care. To qualify, students must have completed their first academic semester and be enrolled in the second. Necessary documentation includes proof of full-time student status, an official class schedule, the student's residence permit, and a work contract approved by the Department of Labor detailing specific employment terms. The employer must also provide a monthly work schedule. The Cyprus Employers and Industrialists Federation (OEB) has notified its members of these regulatory changes. The measure is intended to help address labor shortages while ensuring the students' academic progress remains the priority.