The Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare has announced the opening of applications for its 2026-27 childcare and preschool fee subsidy schemes, including support of up to €200 per month for children over the age of four.
Up to €200 a month for children over four
The first scheme covers children aged over four years and below the age threshold for free compulsory pre-primary education.
Approved by the Council of Ministers on 19 May 2026, the scheme forms part of a reform included in Cyprus's Recovery and Resilience Plan.
Eligible families must:
- Have at least one child aged four or above as of 31 August 2026.
- Reside legally in areas controlled by the Republic of Cyprus.
- Be enrolled, or have secured a place, at a participating kindergarten.
- Not have been accepted into compulsory public pre-primary education because they fall outside the age criteria.
The scheme applies to children born between 1 May 2022 and 31 August 2022.
The subsidy covers 100% of tuition fees, up to:
- €130 per month for community kindergartens.
- €200 per month for private kindergartens.
Parents must obtain a registration certificate from the participating kindergarten and submit a single application per child. In cases of separation or divorce, only the parent with custody may apply.
Applications opened on 7 September 2026 at 10:00am through the government portal (https://www.gov.cy) and the Welfare Benefits Management Service website (https://www.wbas.dmsw.gov.cy).
Families applying by 30 September 2026 will receive support retroactively from 1 September 2026, or from the date attendance began if later. Applications submitted after that date will receive support from the month of application.
Approved subsidies will be paid directly to providers on a monthly basis and will apply for the entire 2026-27 school year.
Scheme continues for children under four
The Deputy Ministry also announced the continuation of the Tuition and Feeding Subsidy Scheme for children up to four years old.
The programme, co-financed by the European Union through the THALEIA 2021-2027 Cohesion Policy Programme, was also approved by the Council of Ministers on 19 May 2026.
Eligible applicants are recipients of Child Benefit in 2026 who have a dependent child under four years of age as of 31 August 2026 and who have enrolled the child in a participating nursery, childcare centre or kindergarten.
Under the scheme, up to 80% of monthly attendance costs are subsidised.
Applications for this programme opened on 1 September 2026, and all parents, including existing beneficiaries from the 2025-26 school year, must reapply.
As with the over-fours scheme, families submitting applications by 30 September 2026 will be eligible for support from the start of the school year.
The Deputy Ministry encouraged parents to make full use of both schemes, saying they are intended to support children's development, enhance skills and facilitate participation in educational and care programmes.
Source: CNA
