President of Cyprus announces reform to child benefit system

On September 6, 2026, the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, announced a significant reform to the child benefit program coinciding with the start of the new school year. The initiative aims to support families by increasing the benefit amount and expanding income eligibility thresholds to include more households, specifically targeting middle-class families.

Under the new policy, the maximum income thresholds for families with three dependent children are set at €90,000, and for families with four dependent children, the limit reaches €100,000. Families with five or more dependent children remain exempt from income criteria, a rule in place since 2025. The reform is expected to benefit approximately 17,000 additional families and over 23,000 children. Furthermore, the government is addressing structural flaws, such as the abrupt termination of support caused by minor increases in family income.

In addition to the child benefit adjustments, the administration is extending tuition subsidies for children up to four years and four months old. This specific measure is projected to assist an additional 2,000 families and 2,800 children.