Filenews 6 February 2026
Free breakfast in kindergartens, social workers in schools, an increase in funds for culture, a program of €145 million for the improvement of public hospitals, a plan to build affordable housing and an increase in student sponsorship, are some of the actions announced tonight by the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides.
The fifth and final pillar of the government's planning for 2026 concerns the well-being of citizens and the improvement of their daily lives through policies for Health, Education, Housing, the Welfare State.
As stated by the PtD, this year the Bill on Special Education is being submitted, after relevant consultation, so that the school becomes More Inclusive and offers better services based on the needs of ALL children. At the same time, the upgrading of school structures is at the heart of the efforts, as follows:
- Cultivation of modern skills, such as proper management of artificial intelligence and development of critical thinking, through the further updating of the Curricula.
- The upgrading of Technical and Vocational Education continues, with the expansion of the institution of the Technical High School, beyond Nicosia and Limassol, to Paphos and free Famagusta. The innovation of the Technical High School, as well as the reintroduction, after 13 years, of the working week, strengthen the interconnection of education with the labour market.
- Creation of another 60 optional all-day schools in Primary Education, with the simultaneous qualitative improvement of the institution.
The President of the Republic announced that within 2026 the implementation of two very important actions aimed at supporting students and their families will begin.
The first concerns the pilot implementation of the Free Breakfast Provision program in Kindergartens, starting with the Districts of Larnaca and Free Famagusta. This important measure supports families and offers the opportunity to cultivate proper eating habits in children, from preschool age.
The second concerns the implementation of the President's pre-election promise, for the admission of the Social Worker to Primary and Secondary Education schools. The measure is being implemented on a pilot basis from this year, through the cooperation of an Educational Psychologist and a Social Worker, in order to contribute substantially to the reduction of violence and delinquency, but above all to cultivate the mental resilience of our children.
Regarding Culture, the President said that in 2026 a fund of €15 million is available, increased by 20%, to support cultural institutions and creators. At the same time, an amount of €4.5 million is earmarked for the Cultural Programme of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, which essentially marks the beginning of the implementation of the Cultural Diplomacy strategy.
In Sports, the President referred to the continuation of investment in projects that leave a positive imprint on the Future of our country, with particular emphasis on our athletes and the sports infrastructure in our country. Among other things, the completion of the "Spyros Kyprianou" Sports Center, a project worth more than €15 million, as well as the planning that has begun for other infrastructures throughout Cyprus, is practical proof of the government's investment in Sports. He also referred to the decision to support athletes with disabilities, without any discrimination against other athletes.
In Health, the President referred to the development program of €145 million, for the substantial improvement of Public Hospitals in ALL provinces. Specifically, within 2026, important projects such as:
- The renovation and expansion of the A&E and the creation of a new neurology clinic in Nicosia.
- Improvement works at the Limassol Hospital together with new Intensive Care and Dialysis Units.
- Upgrading of the A&E and the Department of Radiology at the Larnaca Hospital, as well as the creation of a Pulmonology Clinic in Paphos.
- Within 2026, the process of building a New Hospital in Polis Chrysochous will begin to meet the needs of the wider region.
At the same time, the establishment of the Food Safety Authority is being promoted, so that our country has a single, strong and independent control mechanism for the protection of Public Health on the basis of international practices. It is a response to the modern challenges that threaten Food Safety and by extension Public Health.
Grandiose plan for the construction of affordable housing
The President said that, "the government has so far invested an amount of more than €300 million in housing, an amount that proves the importance it attaches to the issue. Cyprus will make use of the Plan presented by the European Union, following an initiative by Nicosia. Also, the role of the Cyprus Land Development Agency is further upgraded, through state funding for the implementation of additional projects. In 2026, the Organization is proceeding with the construction of 258 new affordable housing units, in addition to the 180 already in progress, while, in cooperation with the private sector, we are proceeding with the construction of approximately 500 new housing units on state land, an investment with a total value of more than €75 million.
At the same time, within 2026, the Housing Plans are being revised to cover more beneficiaries, while through urban planning incentives and the "Build to Rent" program, about 2,000 new housing units are expected to be created within two years. At the same time, the modernization and speed of the new licensing system increase the housing stock since more than 5,500 families have already benefited from the new procedures.
Motorways and infrastructure
In the field of Infrastructure, the promotion of major road projects continues. In 2026, the construction of the highways from Evrychou to Astromeritis and from Nicosia to Palaichori will be completed. The highways Denia to Astromeritis, Polis Chrysochous to Stroumbi with 4 lanes, and the 2nd phase of the Limassol to Saitta highway are also announced. In the large urban centers, the works for the completion of the road network are progressing with the aim of decongesting. In Nicosia, the next phases of the Bypass are being implemented and for Limassol the 1st phase of the Northern Bypass is being announced.
Social worker at home, increase in student sponsorship
The upward trend of the economy allows the government to further strengthen Social Policy, essentially supporting our fellow citizens at every stage of their lives – from the first steps to old age. In 2026, Social Expenditure increased by 6%, following a corresponding increase in 2025.
In this context:
- For Young Families, the "Together with the Baby and the Mother" Plan is launched, with a budget of 4 million euros, combining material support with home services of a Social Worker for families with newborns,
- For Students, the student grant is modernized, increasing the budget to €62 million, expanding the beneficiaries but also abolishing the income and property criteria for families with five or more dependent children.
- For our Elderly, we are upgrading the institution of home care, with a budget of €3 million, complementing the successful strengthening of institutional care.
Regarding our fellow citizens with Disabilities, the President of the Republic reaffirmed the decision for substantial support through the Bill that was prepared. With the new regulations, access to social services is provided, such as that of the Personal Assistant, benefits are increased and our fellow citizens who currently do not receive any help due to income or property criteria become beneficiaries.
