The Cypriot government’s initiative to bring back highly skilled citizens working abroad is rapidly gaining momentum. According to Deputy Minister to the President Irini Piki, around 500 professionals have already registered on the new Minds in Cyprus platform.
The project was presented earlier this year in London by President Nikos Christodoulides and has become a key part of the national strategy to encourage Cypriots to return to the island. Initial interest was impressive: more than 300 specialists from 23 countries signed up in the first two weeks alone. Today, the platform has evolved into an active meeting point between employers and potential candidates.
Growing Employer Interest and Attractive Salaries
Around 130 companies and organizations currently publish job openings through Minds in Cyprus. Many of these vacancies target experienced specialists and senior managers, offering salaries starting from €50,000 and reaching €110,000–115,000 per year, including bonuses and coverage under the Gesy healthcare system.
Major national companies, including Cyta, already use the platform to recruit key staff. Piki emphasized that most registered users are highly skilled professionals with solid experience who are seeking meaningful career opportunities back home.
The platform is also growing as an information hub, offering support with relocation, education, housing, healthcare, and social integration — acknowledging that successful repatriation requires more than just job openings; it requires a high quality of life.
New Tax Incentives: The Government Bets on Talent
The government has already submitted an expanded package of tax benefits to Parliament. It provides a 25% income tax exemption for Cypriots who have lived abroad for over seven years and worked there for at least three. The maximum tax benefit will be €25,000 per year.
Key updates include:
- reducing the minimum required absence from 15 to 7 years,
- allowing work experience to be counted over a five-year period.
The Ministry of Finance stresses that this program does not increase state spending, as it targets new taxpayers and will ultimately expand the tax base.
Additionally, repatriated families will receive a €1,000 subsidy for school expenses for their children.
According to Piki, these incentives are another step toward bringing Cypriot specialists back home, where they can contribute to the country’s development and realize their potential.
Real Challenges: Salary Competition & Quality of Life
Despite growing interest, obstacles remain. The high-tech sector — now accounting for around 14% of Cyprus’s GDP and having grown by 80% in the last five years — continues to face a severe talent shortage. Salaries abroad are often higher, and many professionals say that tax incentives alone are not enough to motivate their return.
Personal motivations also play a role: many Cypriots abroad highlight broader opportunities for self-fulfillment and more diverse lifestyle choices. This means the repatriation strategy must address not only economic but also social and cultural factors.
International Events and Next Steps
The government is preparing a second series of outreach events. The London presentation gathered more than 750 attendees in person and over 2,200 participants online. Christodoulides stated that the repatriation program is a key pillar of Cyprus’s long-term strategic development.
Current data for 2025 confirms Cyprus’s growing attractiveness for professionals in IT, finance, healthcare, and science. Investors note the improvement of the business environment and the expansion of international projects, while infrastructure for global tech companies continues to grow in Limassol and Nicosia.
Cyprus aims to create an environment where top professionals can not only return but also build ambitious, world-class projects at home — strengthening the island’s role in Europe’s innovation landscape.