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Bringing a baby home comes with plenty of joy—and a shopping list that can put a serious dent in the family budget. For eligible parents in Cyprus, a newly approved scheme will offer €1,000 worth of baby essentials, alongside support at home during the first year.
The Cabinet approved the “Together with Mother and Baby” scheme Thursday, combining practical supplies with visits from social workers to help new parents manage difficulties and find any additional support they need.
Deputy Minister of Social Welfare Tina Pavlou said the scheme is aimed at eligible families receiving the Guaranteed Minimum Income, as well as families with a gross household income of up to €22,000.
It is expected to reach around 1,000 new families, at an annual cost of €1.5 million.
Each eligible family will receive a free package of baby equipment and essential care items worth €1,000 per child. This is a package of goods, rather than a €1,000 cash payment.
But the scheme also recognizes that getting through a baby’s first year takes more than having the right equipment.
A home visit by a social worker will be central to the support offered. The aim is to spot difficulties, answer questions, provide guidance, and explain what help is available. Where a mother needs further support, the social worker will help her access other services.
For a parent juggling sleepless nights, a tighter budget and the unfamiliar demands of caring for a newborn, having someone explain where to turn could be as useful as the supplies themselves.
Pavlou said the initiative would support and strengthen new parents, with particular attention to mothers during the child’s first year. She described it as one of the deputy ministry’s main initiatives for 2026.
The approach, she said, is already used in other European countries and represents a move beyond simply handing out material assistance toward broader support for the family.
Application dates, the full contents of the baby package, and details of how families can enroll were not included in the announcement.
