# Student work rights in Cyprus

> Rules for working while studying in Cyprus, including work limits, internships, tax steps and post-study routes where covered by the guide.

Source of record: https://versityspot.com/study-abroad/cyprus/work-rights
Confirmation: 16 of 16 sections confirmed against their official source (last 2026-08-08).

## Part-time Jobs

Cyprus's current published rules are stricter than many older guides suggest. The Labour Department page, updated in 2026, says the applicable decree permits employment for foreign full-time students of recognised universities/university programmes who were in the Republic of Cyprus by 1 December 2024, and only in the listed sectors and occupations. The permitted list includes specified roles in retail/repairs, health and social care, household work, manufacturing, agriculture/animal care/fishery, services, food and hotels.

For students who meet that decree's eligibility conditions, work is capped at 20 hours per week during classes and 38 hours per week during official class breaks. Before work starts, the student and employer must sign an employment contract and submit it to the District Labour Office for approval together with the study timetable.

The old rule of thumb that a newly arrived student merely waits one semester or about six months and can then work is not the current published rule. A student arriving in 2026 should not build a budget around part-time earnings unless the Labour Department publishes a newer decree extending eligibility or the student has another lawful employment basis. EU citizens are not subject to this third-country student decree.

*Source: https://www.mlsi.gov.cy/mlsi/dl/dl.nsf/page5h_en/page5h_en*

## Post-study Work

After completing studies, an eligible third-country graduate may apply for a separate residence permit for up to 12 months to seek employment or set up a business. The work or business pursued must correspond to the level of studies completed.

The minimum qualifying education level is European Qualifications Framework level 7—master's level or higher. This is not simply an automatic extra year on the existing student permit: an application for the post-study residence basis is required.

*Source: https://www.gov.cy/mip-md/en/documents/stay-for-the-purpose-of-job-searching-or-entrepreneurship-after-the-completion-of-studies/*

## Common questions

### What should international students know about work in Cyprus?

Current decree: 20 hours/week in class periods, 38 in breaks—but only for eligible students covered by the decree.

### What should international students know about post study in Cyprus?

Master's-level and higher graduates may apply for up to 12 months to seek relevant work or start a business.