Cyprus plans lifeguard staffing and certification overhaul from 2027

Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus’s Interior Ministry plans to overhaul staffing for the country’s 114 lifeguard towers and introduce a new lifeguard certification system from 2027, following a series of drownings and persistent staff shortages.

Contract changes under review

Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou held a meeting on Monday with officials responsible for beach management and instructed them to review the seasonal contract system for lifeguards.

Options include replacing three-month and four-month contracts, which have attracted limited interest, with longer-term positions. Ministry data indicates that longer contracts are more attractive to candidates.

Of 374 lifeguard positions nationwide, 80 remain unfilled. Officials identified difficulties filling short-term contracts and an overall shortage of qualified lifeguards as the main causes.

Twenty-eight of 35 three-month positions, 19 of 39 four-month positions and 31 of 67 six-month positions remain chronically vacant. By comparison, only two of 125 eight-month positions are unfilled.

The ministry believes that offering longer-term contracts could fill more than half of the vacant positions. The changes are scheduled to take effect from 2027, as the current summer season is already nearing its end.

Extended operating hours

Most lifeguard towers are currently staffed until 6pm, although beachgoers continue swimming later in the day.

The minister instructed officials to extend lifeguard working hours until 7pm in June, July and August, when visitor numbers are highest. District administrations, local authorities and other bodies will also be consulted on adjusting tower opening times according to visitor numbers and risk levels at individual beaches.

New certification standard

Following consultations involving the ministry, the Human Resource Development Authority and trade unions, Ioannou approved the replacement of certificates and medals issued by the Cyprus Lifesaving Federation with the HRDA’s Professional Qualifications Standard.

Under the new system, the HRDA would certify lifeguard training, allowing candidates to train through private providers and nautical clubs. The ministry said the change is expected to expand the pool of potential lifeguards and reduce certification costs.

Staffing programme

The ministry said this year’s staffing programme used all 2,958 approved person-months allocated for lifeguards and may be adjusted during the season based on recruitment levels, visitor numbers and beach risk assessments.

District administrations may extend operating hours at specific lifeguard points through overtime where demand is higher and funding is available. The ministry said funding is available this year because several approved positions remain unfilled.