Newsroom
The government is preparing to open applications for two schemes that provide financial support for families paying kindergarten and childcare costs during the 2026-2027 school year.
The main Tuition and Childcare Subsidy Scheme for children up to four years old is entering its fifth year and is being funded under the European Union co-financed Cohesion Policy Programme “THALIA 2021-2027”.
Families approved for Child Benefit can receive a subsidy covering as much as 80% of tuition and childcare costs. Children up to the age of two are eligible for a higher level of support.
The online application system is expected to open in early September 2026, according to an official from the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare who spoke to K.
Around 11,000 children received support through the scheme during the 2025-2026 school year. There were 364 participating providers, while a further 282 kindergartens and other providers took part in the separate SED4+ scheme.
Separate support for children aged four and over
The government has also approved the SED4+ scheme, which applies to children who have reached the age of four and are not yet old enough to enter free compulsory pre-primary education.
To qualify for the 2026-2027 school year, a child must have reached the age of four by 31 August 2026. The family must legally reside in areas controlled by the Republic of Cyprus, and the child must either attend or have secured a place at a kindergarten participating in the scheme.
Unlike the subsidy for younger children, SED4+ covers 100% of eligible tuition fees regardless of household income.
The subsidy applies to the standard kindergarten timetable from 7:45am to 1:05pm, with a monthly ceiling of €130 per child at a community kindergarten and €200 at a private kindergarten.
The scheme does not pay for meals or childcare provided outside the standard hours. Those services can be charged separately by the kindergarten.
Approximately 1,900 children benefited from SED4+ during the 2025-2026 school year. The scheme is administered by the Welfare Benefits Management Service.
Parents must apply for each child
Parents who qualify for either scheme must submit a separate electronic application for each child.
Applications will be accepted exclusively through the government’s CyLogin portal, which can be found here: CYLogin registration portal
The application period is expected to begin in early September.
The schemes are intended to reduce the cost of early-years education and childcare for families while supporting access to kindergarten services during the years before children enter free compulsory pre-primary education.
