Nearly two‑thirds of small and medium‑sized enterprises (SMEs) in Cyprus say it is difficult to hire workers from non‑EU countries, according to a Flash Eurobarometer survey published by the European Commission on Monday.
Some 65% of Cypriot SMEs that have attempted to recruit third‑country nationals described the process as difficult, compared with an EU average of 54%, highlighting obstacles mainly linked to lengthy and complex administrative procedures.
Cypriot SMEs find it harder than EU counterparts
The survey found that 47% of Cypriot SMEs cited the complexity or duration of recruitment and immigration processes as the main barrier, significantly above the EU‑wide figure of 31%. Difficulty in finding suitable candidates was reported by 38% of Cypriot businesses, compared with 25% across the bloc, while a lack of information on immigration procedures was flagged by 18%, broadly in line with the EU average of 16%.
Cleaning and support services were the most common occupations for which Cypriot SMEs turned to third‑country workers, cited by 42% of respondents, followed by skilled construction workers at 29% and food preparation and processing staff at 26%. In each category, Cyprus recorded markedly higher shares than the EU average.
Asked which support services would be most helpful, Cypriot SMEs ranked immigration and relocation assistance first, at 38%, compared with 18% across the EU. Information and guidance on recruiting third‑country nationals followed at 28%, while workplace integration support was also considered important.
At EU level, financial support such as grants, subsidies and tax incentives was ranked as the most useful measure, while Cypriot businesses placed it fourth.
On integration and retention, 25% of Cypriot SMEs reported difficulties integrating third‑country workers into their companies, compared with 30% at EU level. Retention challenges were reported by 27% in both Cyprus and the EU.
Despite the higher rate of recruitment attempts, awareness of available support services remains limited. Only 17% of Cypriot SMEs said they were familiar with such services, marginally above the EU average of 15%, while more than 70% reported no familiarity.
The survey was conducted in December 2025 among 12,900 businesses across the EU and 260 in Cyprus. It found that 21% of Cypriot companies had attempted to hire workers from outside the EU to address skills shortages, compared with an EU average of 14%.
Source: Eurobarometer; CNA
