Key Facts: Cyprus vs Italy Wages
- Cyprus Minimum Wage
- €6.28/hr ($7.31 USD)
- Italy Minimum Wage
- No statutory minimum wage
- Cyprus Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €2,200 /mo ($2,562.01 USD)
- Italy Avg. Gross Monthly Salary
- €2,600 /mo ($3,027.83 USD)
- Data Sources
- Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance; 2026 figure verified via Wikipedia EU member states by minimum wage table (eff 2026-01-01) (2026-05-04), Ministry of Labour and Social Policies (Ministero del Lavoro e delle Politiche Sociali) (2026-02-24)
Cyprus
Italy
Updated 2026-05-04
Unlike Italy, which has no statutory minimum wage, Cyprus mandates a wage floor of $7/hr. Average salaries are lower in Cyprus at $2,562/mo compared to $3,028/mo in Italy.
Cyprus has higher GDP per capita ($63,007 vs $62,014). Cyprus' unemployment rate is 4.9% compared to Italy's 6.4%.
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Cyprus | Italy |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage /hr | €6.28 $7.31 | None |
| Minimum wage /mo | €1,088 $1,267.03 | None |
| Minimum wage /yr | €13,056 $15,204.38 | None |
| Avg. gross salary /mo | €2,200 /mo $2,562.01 | €2,600 /mo $3,027.83 |
| Avg. net salary /mo | €1,850 /mo $2,154.42 | €1,850 /mo $2,154.42 |
| Median individual income /yr | €17,000 /yr $19,797.37 | €22,500 /yr $26,202.40 |
Percentage differences are based on USD equivalent values. Positive means Cyprus is higher.
Work Week
- Cyprus
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Overtime : 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is typically 38-40 hours depending on sector (most common is 40 hours in 5 days). Maximum 48 hours/week averaged over 4 months. Overtime premium depends on collective agreements, typically 50%.
- Italy
-
40 hrs/wk standard
Max 48 hrs/wk
Standard workweek is 40 hours (Legislative Decree 66/2003). Maximum average weekly hours including overtime is 48 hours over a 4-month reference period, per EU Working Time Directive. Overtime compensation is regulated by collective agreements, typically 15-30% surcharge depending on hours and sector.
See this comparison from Italy's perspective: Italy vs Cyprus
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the minimum wage higher in Cyprus or Italy?
In Cyprus, the minimum wage is €6.28/hr ($7.31 USD). In Italy, it is no statutory minimum wage.
How much less does the average worker earn in Cyprus compared to Italy?
The average gross salary in Cyprus is €2,200/mo ($2,562.01 USD), compared to €2,600/mo ($3,027.83 USD) in Italy. In USD terms, workers in Cyprus earn approximately 18% less. Average salaries reflect the full labor market, not just the minimum wage floor. The gap between Cyprus and Italy is shaped by differences in industry composition, labor productivity, and the overall cost of living in each country. Workers in Italy earn more in nominal terms, though how far that income stretches depends on local prices in Cyprus.
How do work hours compare between Cyprus and Italy?
Both Cyprus and Italy mandate a similar standard work week of 40 hours. When work hours are equal, the country with the higher minimum wage delivers proportionally higher weekly earnings. Standard work week rules set the baseline; actual hours worked often differ based on industry norms and individual employment contracts.
What is the cost of living difference between Cyprus and Italy?
While direct cost of living data varies by source, GDP per capita (PPP) gives a useful proxy for overall economic level. Cyprus has the higher GDP per capita at $63,007, which is 1.0x that of Italy at $62,014. From Cyprus' perspective, this means goods and services are priced at a higher economic level. A higher GDP per capita generally correlates with higher wages, higher consumer prices, and greater availability of goods and services. Workers moving between these two countries should expect significant differences in rent, food, and transportation costs.