The Council of Ministers approved the support allowances for residents of mountainous areas, essentially continuing in 2026 the aid given every year, in recent years, by the state.
In particular, it concerns two different benefits. One is for residents of mountain communities located at an altitude of at least 600 meters. The second concerns residents who are at least 40 km from an urban center or at a distance between 30 and 39 kilometers from an urban center and at an altitude of at least 700 meters.
How the amounts are distributed
The allowance for communities located at an altitude greater than or equal to 600 metres is granted to residents per year as follows:
For each household / residential unit depending on the altitude of the community / area where it lives:
(a) €175 (altitude 600-800m)
(b) €225 (altitude 801-1000m)
(c) €260 (altitude 1001m and above)
Add-ons,
– for each retired person €165
– for each non-pensioner €165
Simple example: A family of four located at an altitude of between 600 and 800 meters will receive €175 as a household, in addition each person in the household will receive €165, i.e. €660. So the total allowance for this household will reach €835.
Who are the beneficiaries for this benefit?
All Cypriot and European nationals (including workers and/or employees) who reside permanently in a privately owned or rented residence/premises in communities/areas with an altitude greater than or equal to 600 meters and have been proven to reside for the entire year in the community/area for at least the last two years are entitled to financial assistance.
At the same time, those who are:
1/ Non-European citizens, even if they reside permanently in the community/area.
2/ European or non-European domestic helpers residing in the home of the beneficiary applicant.
3/ Monasteries and monks/ nuns.
4/ Persons who have holiday homes in the communities/areas covered by this Scheme
What is the second aid about?
This aid concerns the support of residents of communities/areas remote from urban centers at a distance of at least 40 kilometers from an urban center or 30-39 kilometers from an urban center and at the same time with an altitude greater than or equal to 700 meters, with the aim of facilitating their access to them, which is why this allowance is not given to pensioners.
Specifically:
A) €300 per year per non-retired adult working person, household member, residing in a Community/Area located at a distance of 40-59 km from the nearest urban center or in a Community/Area at a distance of 30-39 km and who at the same time is located at an altitude greater than or equal to 700 m.
B) €600 per year per non-retired adult working person, household member, residing in a Community/Area located at a distance greater than or equal to 60 km. from the nearest urban center.
It should be noted that beneficiaries of the area of Tylliria (Kato Pyrgos, Pano Pyrgos, Pachyammos, Pomos, Piginia, Agios Theodoros Tyllirias, Alevga, Mansoura, Mosfili, Selladi tou Appi), based on a Decision of the Council of Ministers, are exceptionally paid due to the geographical isolation of the area, its remoteness and the special conditions that have been created due to the Turkish invasion, an increased amount of financial aid by 50% in the above amounts, in the framework of the Financial Assistance Scheme to support the inhabitants of remote areas.
Claims should be made to the Community Council in which those who are entitled reside.
