Country profile CYP
National Legal Framework
National Legal Framework
| Provision | Legislation date | Convention | Legislation info | sources | Value | sort_order | Provision description | Legislation description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum age for hazardous work | 2001 | C138 & C182 | Protection of Young Persons at Work, No. 48(I)/2001 | [{"link_name":"Protection of Young Persons at Work, No. 48(I)/2001","source_link":"https://legislationline.org/sites/default/files/2025-06/The%20Protection%20of%20Young%20People%20in%20Employment%20Law%20of%202001%20-%2048%28I%29_2001.pdf"}] | 16-18 | 6 | C138 and C182 set 18 as the minimum age for hazardous work, which is defined as work that, due to its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out, is likely to jeopardize children’s health, safety or morals. C138 and C182 allow countries to permit hazardous work exceptionally as from 16, provided that the health, safety and morals of the young persons concerned are fully protected and that they have received adequate specific instruction or training. | The Law of Protection of Young Persons at Work, No. 48(I)/2001 defines hazardous work as any work that could jeopardise the health, safety, or morals of young persons due to its nature or the conditions under which it is performed. The law allows for exceptions where young persons aged 16 and 17 may engage in hazardous work, provided their health, safety, and morals are fully protected, and they receive adequate specific instruction or vocational training. |
| Minimum age for admission to apprenticeship | 2001 | C138 | Protection of Young Persons at Work, No. 48(I)/2001 | [{"link_name":"Protection of Young Persons at Work, No. 48(I)/2001","source_link":"https://legislationline.org/sites/default/files/2025-06/The%20Protection%20of%20Young%20People%20in%20Employment%20Law%20of%202001%20-%2048%28I%29_2001.pdf"}] | 14 | 5 | Convention No. 138 does not apply to work done in school for general, vocational or technical education or in training institutions or work done by children at least 14 years of age in undertakings, where such work is carried out in accordance with conditions prescribed by the competent authority. Such work must be an integral part of: (i) a course of education or training for which a school or training institution is primarily responsible; (ii) a programme of training mainly or entirely in an undertaking, which programme has been approved by the competent authority; or (iii) a programme of guidance or orientation designed to facilitate the choice of an occupation or of a line of training. The exception to the hazardous work prohibition (as from 16 years, under strict protection and prior instruction) also responds to the need to provide young workers with on-the-job training to learn occupations that may include hazardous tasks – for example apprenticeships in carpentry – that require the use of potentially dangerous tools. | According to the Law of Protection of Young Persons at Work, No. 48(I)/2001, a child who has attained the age of 14 years and has completed first level secondary education or has been exempted from compulsory attendance of such education may, subject to prior authorisation by the Minister of Labour and Social Insurance, participate in a work-training programme (e.g., Apprentice Scheme) with a view to learning an occupation. |
| Is the minimum age for admission to work not less than the age for completion of compulsory schooling? | 1993 ; 2001 | C138 | Compulsory Education and Free Education Law of 1993 (Law No. 24(I)/1993) - Section 3. (1) ; Protection of Young Persons at Work Law of 2001, (L.48(I)/2001) - Section 6 | [{"link_name":"-Compulsory Education and Free Education Law of 1993 (No.24(I)/1993)","source_link":"https://www.cylaw.org/nomoi/arith/1993_1_024.pdf"},{"link_name":"-Protection of Young Persons at Work Law of 2001, (L.48(I)/2001)","source_link":"https://legislationline.org/sites/default/files/2025-06/The%20Protection%20of%20Young%20People%20in%20Employment%20Law%20of%202001%20-%2048%28I%29_2001.pdf"}] | Yes | 4 | C138 requires that the minimum age for admission to work shall not be less than the age of completion of compulsory schooling and, in any case, shall not be less than 15 years. | According to Section 3. (1) of the Compulsory Education and Free Education Law of 1993 (No.24(I)/1993), education is compulsory and free in public schools for all citizens until the pupil completes the lower secondary cycle or until the age of 15, whichever occurs first. In addition, Section 6 of the Protection of Young Persons at Work Law of 2001, (L.48(I)/2001) is very specific in that only children who have successfully completed secondary school education or were released from their obligation to attend school (after approval by the Minister of Education, Sport and Youth) can be placed under a combined work-training scheme in accordance to a special license issued in respect of the specific scheme by the Minister of Labour and Social Insurance. |
| Light work - Determination of types and conditions of activities | 2001 | C138 | Protection of Young Persons at Work, No. 48(I)/2001 - Section 7 | [{"link_name":"-Protection of Young Persons at Work, No. 48(I)/2001","source_link":"https://legislationline.org/sites/default/files/2025-06/The%20Protection%20of%20Young%20People%20in%20Employment%20Law%20of%202001%20-%2048%28I%29_2001.pdf"},{"link_name":"-Protection of Young Persons at Work (Amendement) Regulations 2019","source_link":"https://www.mlsi.gov.cy/mlsi/dl/dl.nsf/0/de898b8590c11861c22581cb0041b5a0/$FILE/%CE%9F%CE%B9%20%CE%A0%CE%B5%CF%81%CE%AF%20%CE%A0%CF%81%CE%BF%CF%83%CF%84%CE%B1%CF%83%CE%AF%CE%B1%CF%82%20%CF%84%CF%89%CE%BD%20%CE%9D%CE%AD%CF%89%CE%BD%20%CE%BA%CE%B1%CF%84%CE%AC%20%CF%84%CE%B7%CE%BD%20%CE%91%CF%80%CE%B1%CF%83%CF%87%CF%8C%CE%BB%CE%B7%CF%83%CE%B7%20(%CE%A4%CF%81%CE%BF%CF%80%CE%BF%CF%80%CE%BF%CE%B9%CE%B7%CF%84%CE%B9%CE%BA%CE%BF%CE%AF)%20%CE%9A%CE%B1%CE%BD%CE%BF%CE%BD%CE%BF%CF%83%CE%BC%CE%BF%CE%AF%20%CF%84%CE%BF%CF%85%202019%20%CE%9A%CE%94%CE%A0.201-2019.pdf"}] | Yes | 3 | If the country chooses to allow light work, States must determine what activities are considered light work, and the hours and the circumstances under which they may be carried out. | Section 7 of the Law provides for the conditions of employment of children in light work activities. Besides, as mentioned in Section 7. (1) of the Protection of Young Perons at Work as well as in its 2019 amendement Regulations, in cases where a child (under 15 years old) is invited to perform in cultural and related activities (e.g. theatre or TV show), an application to a Committee according to the requirements of the section 7 of the said Law and which set up under the Regulations, K.Δ.Π 78/2012 must first be made, in order for the Committee to grant a license for the child to participate in the event. |
| Minimum age for light work | 2001 | C138 | Protection of Young Persons at Work, No. 48(I)/2001 - Section 2, Section 7 | [{"link_name":"Protection of Young Persons at Work, No. 48(I)/2001","source_link":"https://legislationline.org/sites/default/files/2025-06/The%20Protection%20of%20Young%20People%20in%20Employment%20Law%20of%202001%20-%2048%28I%29_2001.pdf"}] | 15 | 2 | C138 defines light work as work that does not interfere with children’s schooling, or their ability to benefit from it, and that is not hazardous. C138 allows countries to permit light work for children younger than the general minimum age. For countries that set the minimum age at 15, this means children aged 13-14, and for those that set it at 14, children aged 12-13 may engage in light work. | While a child is defined as a person aged under 15 in Section 2 of the Law, Section 7 stipulates that, following a relevant permit issued by the Department of Labor, after consultation with the Social Welfare Services and the Department of Labor Inspection, if such a thing, after an assessment, is in the best interest of the child and in accordance with the Regulations issued under this Law, the employment of a child in order to carry out an activity of a cultural, artistic, sporting or advertising nature is permitted, provided that- (a) His safety, health (physical and mental) and his physical, intellectual, moral or social development are not harmed, and (b) his regular school attendance, or his participation in a program provided for in article 6, or his ability to benefit from the education provided to him, is not hindered. |
| Minimum age for admission to work | 2001 amended in 2012 | C138 | Protection of Young Persons at Work, No. 48(I)/2001 | [{"link_name":"Protection of Young Persons at Work, No. 48(I)/2001","source_link":"https://legislationline.org/sites/default/files/2025-06/The%20Protection%20of%20Young%20People%20in%20Employment%20Law%20of%202001%20-%2048%28I%29_2001.pdf"}] | 15 | 1 | C138 establishes 15 as the minimum age for work in general. Developing countries have the option of setting a minimum age of 14 as a transitional measure as they strengthen their education systems and economies. | The Law of Protection of Young Persons at Work, No. 48(I)/2001 prohibits the employment of children under 15. |
| Is the use, procuring or offering of children for illicit activities, in particular for the production and trafficking of drugs, prohibited? | 1998-01-01 | C182 | Criminal Code | [{"link_name":"Criminal Code","source_link":"https://www.vsrh.hr/custompages/static/hrv/files/legislation__criminal-code.pdf"}] | Yes | 11 | Defined as a worst forms of child labour by C182. It requires that the act of using, procuring or offering a child for the production and trafficking of drugs, as well as other types of illicit activities shall be prohibited in national legislation. | The Criminal Code prohibits procuring or offering a child for the production and trafficking of drugs, as well as other types of illicit activities. |
| Is the use, procuring or offering of a child for the purpose of prostitution and for production of pornography prohibited? | 2014-07-04 ; 1998-01-01 ; 2014-04-15 | C182 | Law N° 91(I) of 2014 on Preventing and Combating the Sexual Abuse and Sexual Exploitation of Children and Child Pornography ; Criminal Code - Article 196 ; Law No. 60(I) of 2014 on the Prevention, Fighting against Trafficking in and Exploitation of Human Beings and Protection of Victims - Article 11 | [{"link_name":"-Law N° 91(I) of 2014 on Preventing and Combating the Sexual Abuse and Sexual Exploitation of Children and Child Pornography","source_link":"https://natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/r/natlex/fe/details?p3_isn=100675"},{"link_name":"-Criminal Code","source_link":"https://www.vsrh.hr/custompages/static/hrv/files/legislation__criminal-code.pdf"},{"link_name":"-Law No. 60(I) of 2014 on the Prevention, Fighting against Trafficking in and Exploitation of Human Beings and Protection of Victims","source_link":"https://natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/r/natlex/fe/details?p3_isn=100603"}] | Yes | 10 | C182 prohibits the use of a child under the age of 18 for prostitution, regardless of the child's consent. The use, procuring or offering of any person under the age of 18 for commercial sexual exploitation constitutes a worst form of child labour, even if prostitution is a legal practice. In regard to the prohibition of child pornography, States need to make sure that national legislation addresses the involvement of a child in the production of pornographic materials, including non-recorded performances. | Law No. 91(I) of 2014 on Preventing and Combating the Sexual Abuse and Sexual Exploitation of Children and Child Pornography prohibits the sale, trafficking, and exploitation of children for any purpose, including sexual and labour exploitation. The Law revises the legal framework governing the prevention and combating of the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children and child pornography and is promulgated for the purposes of harmonising national legislation with international instruments and acts. The Criminal Code also specifies the prohibition of abuse of children or juveniles in pornography (Article 196). Article 11 of the Law No. 60(I) of 2014 on the Prevention, Fighting against Trafficking in and Exploitation of Human Beings and Protection of Victims prohibits trafficking for the sexual exploitation of children per definition including pornography and prostitution. |
| Is forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18 for use in armed conflict prohibited? | 1964 | C182 | Law consolidating and revisioning the laws on the National Guard from 1964 to 2008 - Section 18. (1) | [{"link_name":"Law consolidating and revisioning the laws on the National Guard from 1964 to 2008","source_link":"https://www.cylaw.org/nomoi/arith/2011_1_019.pdf"}] | Yes | 9 | Defined as one of the worst forms of child labour by C182. Applies both to official armed forces and other armed groups. Nevertheless, C182 only prohibits the forced or compulsory recruitment of children under 18, and does not cover the voluntary recruitment of children under 18. | Section 18. (1) of the Law states that all citizens of the Republic, from the 1st of January of the year in which they reach their 18 year of age and until the 31st of December of the year in which they reach their fiftieth 50 year of age, shall be obliged to perform military service in the Force. |
| Is the sale and trafficking of children for sexual and labour exploitation prohibited? | 2014-04-15 | C182 | Law N° 60(I) of 2014 on the Prevention, Fighting against Trafficking in and Exploitation of Human Beings and Protection of Victims - Article 11 | [{"link_name":"Law N° 60(I) of 2014 on the Prevention, Fighting against Trafficking in and Exploitation of Human Beings and Protection of Victims","source_link":"https://natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/r/natlex/fe/details?p3_isn=100603"}] | Yes | 8 | Defined as one of the worst forms of child labour by C182. Including all forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery, such as the sale and trafficking of children, debt bondage and serfdom and forced or compulsory labour. | Article 11 of the Law No. 60(I) of 2014 on the Prevention, Fighting against Trafficking in and Exploitation of Human Beings and Protection of Victims explicitly prohibits trafficking for the sexual exploitation of children. |
| List of hazardous activities prohibited for children | 2001 ; 2012 | C138 & C182 | Protection of Young Persons at Work, No. 48(I)/2001 ; Law 77/2012 Regulating on health and safety at work (protection of young people) - Section 8. (5) | [{"link_name":"-Protection of Young Persons at Work, No. 48(I)/2001","source_link":"https://legislationline.org/sites/default/files/2025-06/The%20Protection%20of%20Young%20People%20in%20Employment%20Law%20of%202001%20-%2048%28I%29_2001.pdf"},{"link_name":"-Law 77/2012 Regulating on health and safety at work (protection of young people)","source_link":"https://www.mlsi.gov.cy/mlsi/dli/dliup.nsf/All/946414B325704D42C2257E0300440E64/$file/KDP_77_2012.pdf"}] | Yes | 7 | C138 and C182 require the national determination of a list of hazardous work prohibited for children under 18 years of age. The competent authorities should consult with workers' and employers' organizations to determine what types of employment or work are considered to be hazardous. Such a list shall be periodically examined and revised as necessary. | According to the Law No. 48(I)/200, employment of young persons under the age of 18 is prohibited for work, which is objectively beyond their physical, mental, or psychological capacity; involves harmful exposure to agents which are toxic, carcinogenic, or cause heritable genetic changes that may harm the unborn child or affect in any other way human health; involves harmful exposure to radiation; involves the risk of accidents, which young persons cannot recognise or avoid, owing to lack of experience and/or training or insufficient attention to risk; or involves a risk to health from extreme cold or heat, or from noise or vibrations. In addition, according to Section 8. (5) of Law No. 77/2012, although young persons are prohibited from engaging in hazardous work, a special exemption from this prohibition may be granted only by the Chief Inspector, and only in the case of young persons who have reached the age of sixteen (16), provided that such exemption is necessary for their vocational training. This is subject to the condition that the said work is carried out under the supervision of a person appointed by the employer, who possesses the necessary knowledge and experience in relation to the risks associated with the specific activity and their prevention, so that all necessary measures are taken to ensure the safety and health of the young person. |
International Legal Framework
International Legal Framework
| Ratification status | Convention | Convention description | Date of ratification | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| in-force | C182 | Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) | 27-NOV-2000 | Source |
| in-force | C138 | Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) | 02-OCT-1997 | Source |
Policies and Plans
Policies and Plans
| Description | sources | Period | Policy name | Implementing agency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The National Strategy and Action Plan for Combating the Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children and Child Pornography in Cyprus is a comprehensive framework aimed at protecting children’s rights to health and well-being. It was published in March 2016 with the primary goal of ensuring that all children have the opportunity to grow up in safe conditions, free from sexual harm. The plan involves various ministries and an Interministerial Committee. The National Strategy was approved by the Council of Ministers in 2016. In October 2021, a new three-year action plan that includes preventive and protective measures was approved by the Council of Ministers. The implementation of the National Strategy for the Prevention and Combating of Sexual Abuse and Sexual Exploitation of Children and Child Pornography Law of 2017 [L.112(I)/2017] was enacted in 2017. Among other provisions, the law provides for the creation of a Committee and a Council responsible for the implementation of the National Strategy. In accordance with the above provision FONI Council was established under the Law on the Implementation of the National Strategy for Combatting Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children and Child Pornography (Law 112 (I) /2017).The National Strategy Implementation Council, “Foni” is responsible for coordinating all actions aimed at preventing and combatting sexual abuse and exploitation of children and depiction Child Sexual Abuse Material. In relevance with the recent legislation on Holistic Sex Education of 2022 (Ν. 205(I)/2022), the Cyprus Pedagogical Institute has enhanced its support of teachers with multiple types of teacher training on the Health Education Curriculum every year, such as series of trainings for primary education teachers on teaching sexuality education through the implementation of the Health Education curriculum, workshops for pupils and teachers of secondary education on issues of sexting and sexual abuse, consensual sexual behaviors etc. More specifically, during the school year 2024-2025, over 1060 teachers, Headteachers and Inspectors of all levels participated in relevant training | [{"link_name":"-National Strategy and Action Plan for Combating the Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children and Child Pornography","source_link":"https://archeia.moec.gov.cy/mc/684/stratigikes_ethniki_stratigiki_schedio_drasis_katapolemisi_sexoualikis_kakopoiisis_ekmetallefsis_paidion_kai_paidikis_pornografias.pdf"},{"link_name":"-L.112(I)/2017","source_link":"https://www.cylaw.org/nomoi/indexes/2017_1_112.html"}] | 2016 | National Strategy and Action Plan for Combating the Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children and Child Pornography | National Strategy Implementation Council (FONI) |