Living in Cyprus: Understanding Time, Working Hours, and National Holidays

What time zone does Cyprus use?

Cyprus uses Eastern European Time (EET), which is GMT+2. This keeps the country aligned with nearby European and Middle Eastern countries.

When do the clocks change in Cyprus?

Residents change their clocks every year:

• Clocks go forward one hour on the final Sunday of March, at 01:00 GMT (03:00 local time).
• Clocks return to standard time on the final Sunday of October, at 01:00 GMT (04:00 local time).

What time are sunrise and sunset in Cyprus?

Daylight hours vary through the year. These are approximate times for the 15th of each month:

The summer months have the longest days, with sunrise around 05:30 and sunset at 20:00.

What are normal working hours in Cyprus?

Public sector

Government offices are open Monday to Friday. Work usually starts between 07:30 and 08:30 and ends between 15:00 and 16:00.

Private sector

Private companies set their own hours, but most follow this schedule, Monday to Friday:

• 15 September to 31 May: 08:00 – 13:00 and 15:00 – 18:00.
• 1 June to 14 September: 08:00 – 13:00 and 16:00 – 19:00.

Shops

Shopping is central to daily life, and hours depend on whether a shop is urban, rural or in a tourist area:

• Shops generally open from 07:00 to 21:00, Monday to Saturday.
• On Sundays they open later, usually around 11:00, and close between 14:00 and 22:00.
• Some shops close on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons and all day Sunday. Shops in tourist areas often stay open late, including on Sundays.
• From 15 June to 31 August, an optional siesta break runs from 14:00 to 17:00.

Special shopping hours

Shops may extend their hours during the Christmas and Easter holiday seasons, but they must close by 18:00 on Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve and Good Friday.

Restaurant hours

Dining is a central part of the Cypriot lifestyle. Meals are served at these times:

• Breakfast: 07:00 – 10:00
• Lunch: 12:00 – 15:00
• Dinner: from 19:00 until late

What are the public holidays in Cyprus?

Cyprus widely observes its public holidays. On these days most government offices, banks and businesses close, though shops and services in tourist areas may stay open. Banks close on Easter Tuesday but open on Christmas Eve. Museums and archaeological sites close only on Easter Sunday.

Fixed holidays

• 1 January – New Year's Day
• 6 January – Epiphany Day
• 25 March – Greek National Day
• 1 April – National Anniversary Day
• 1 May – Labour Day
• 15 August – Assumption of the Virgin Mary
• 1 October – Cyprus Independence Day
• 28 October – Greek National Anniversary Day
• 24 December – Christmas Eve
• 25 December – Christmas Day
• 26 December – Boxing Day

Variable holidays

• Green Monday – 50 days before Greek Orthodox Easter
• Good Friday – Greek Orthodox Church
• Easter Monday – Greek Orthodox Church
• Pentecost – Kataklysmos (Festival of the Flood)