The Minds in Cyprus initiative drew more than 350 UK-based Cypriot professionals to back-to-back events in Birmingham and London this week, as the government pushed its most ambitious diaspora recruitment drive to date.
According to a statement by the government, twenty-four Cypriot companies and organisations attended, offering more than 110 specialist positions across technology, fintech, financial and professional services, research and innovation, and energy.
Deputy Minister to the President Irene Piki represented the government at both events, held on 22 June in Birmingham and 23 June in London. She presented progress made in the initiative’s first year, available incentives, and current job prospects in Cyprus.
The London event took the form of a career fair. Birmingham hosted an open roundtable focused on the Cypriot economy, labour market needs, and ways to strengthen ties with the diaspora.
Piki said the government was not simply trying to bring people back, but to create the conditions under which returning — or collaborating with Cyprus — could become a real choice, backed by concrete opportunities, targeted incentives, and practical support.
She pointed to strong recent economic performance, citing high growth rates, historically low unemployment, a significant reduction in public debt, and successive upgrades from international credit rating agencies. These developments, she said, were generating real demand for skilled professionals, particularly in high-value sectors such as technology, financial services, research, and innovation.
More than 700 professionals have already registered on the Opportunities for Talent platform, which lists more than 330 specialist vacancies from businesses and organisations operating in Cyprus, according to figures presented at the events.
Tax incentives were also outlined. A new 25% income tax exemption applies to Cypriots who have spent seven years abroad, while an existing 50% exemption covers specific cases. Both were described as transitional tools designed to reduce the cost and uncertainty of the early years for those considering a return.
The initiative’s Action Plan includes faster processing of professional licence applications and qualification recognition, residence and work permit arrangements for spouses and partners, family support on education and relocation, and consolidated information through a dedicated Information Hub.
Representatives from the Tax Department and the Research and Innovation Foundation also attended, providing practical guidance on tax matters, funding programmes, research opportunities, and innovation support tools.
Piki said the initiative was aimed both at those considering a return and at those who wished to remain connected to Cyprus — whether through collaboration with Cypriot businesses, knowledge transfer, or participation in projects being developed in the country.
«Minds in Cyprus is not simply asking people to come back. It is creating the conditions so that the idea of returning or collaborating can become a real choice,» she said.
The events were organised by the government and Invest Cyprus, with support from the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), the professional network Cypriots in the City, and dozens of businesses and organisations based in Cyprus.
Further information on the events, available positions, incentives, and the Opportunities for Talent platform is available at www.mindsincyprus.com.
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