Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus’ Human Resource Development Authority (Anad) has brought self-employed workers into all its training schemes for the first time, a change that took effect on April 6. Anad chairman Constantinos Fellas described the move as a “historic change” in vocational training.
Reform and scope
Fellas said the reform marks a new era for thousands of professionals across Cyprus, allowing self-employed persons to participate in Anad schemes with a subsidy in the same way as employees. He said the decision reverses a long-standing gap in the country’s training system.
Background and rationale
According to Fellas, self-employed workers had for years remained outside Anad’s sphere of activity despite being “a key part and a living cell of the Cypriot economy.” He said this left thousands of professionals without access to subsidised training, even though they contributed directly to the country’s economic activity and needed opportunities to upgrade their knowledge and skills.
Legal basis
Fellas said the gap has been closed through the human resources development (amendment) law of 2026 and the approval of the human resource development authority (fees payable by employers and self-employed persons) regulations of 2026.
Contributions and collection
He said the new framework is mandatory and universal, with self-employed persons paying a contribution of 0.5 per cent of their insurable earnings, equivalent to what employers pay for their employees. The collection will be carried out by the social insurance services together with social insurance contributions.
Access to subsidised training
Fellas said the payment of the fee acts as the self-employed worker’s “ticket” to the subsidised training system, strengthening Anad while giving access to schemes that had until now been available to employees.
How do you think the inclusion of self-employed workers in Anad training schemes will affect professional upskilling in Cyprus?