As of March 1, 2024, important changes have been made to Maternity Protection and Social Security Laws in Cyprus, signaling a major shift in policies aimed at bolstering support for new mothers and families.
Extended Maternity Leave
One of the key amendments revolves around the extension of maternity leave periods. For the birth of a first child, maternity leave has been elongated from 18 to 22 weeks.
In cases of adoption, the legislature has recognized the unique challenges faced by adoptive parents, extending maternity leave from 16 to 20 weeks.
Furthermore, for situations involving childbirth through a surrogate mother, the maternity leave has been increased from 18 to 22 weeks.
Extended Maternity Benefits for Infant Care
The amendments also introduce a new approach to maternity benefits by considering the duration of infant care.
An additional week of maternity benefit is now provided for every extra 14 days of infant care beyond the initial 63 days.
To sum it up, these changes bring significant improvements to maternity protection and support for new families, thereby reinforcing family policy and promoting citizen welfare. These amendments reflect the legislature's commitment to supporting women during maternity and safeguarding the family unit.
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