The Republic of Cyprus has acceded to the Convention on the Recovery Abroad of Maintenance, signed in New York on 20 June 1956. The Ratification Law is 50/78. In implementing this convention, the Ministry of Justice and Public Order has been designated as the Central Authority and cooperates with counterpart central authorities in other Contracting States.

The object of the convention is: To facilitate the recovery of maintenance by a person who is entitled to receive it (claimant) from another person who owes maintenance (respondent) but who is located in another country.

With Cyprus’ accession to the European Union, the Republic is bound by the Council Regulation (EC) No 4/2009 on jurisdiction, applicable law, recognition and enforcement of decisions and cooperation in matters relating to maintenance obligations, which entered into force on 18 June 2011.

General Information

If you are a parent and wish to claim maintenance by requesting a monthly payment for maintenance of a child from the other parent who does not reside with your child, you can appeal to the Courts in your country of residence to determine the debtor’s obligation to pay maintenance and set the maintenance amount. Such a decision based on the law of the European Union will be recognised and enforced in the other EU Member States.

Council Regulation (EC) No 4/2009 on jurisdiction, applicable law, recognition and enforcement of decisions and cooperation in matters relating to maintenance obligations has been in force since 18 June 2011.

Council Regulation (EC) No 4/2009 of 18 December 2008 relating to maintenance obligations aims to ensure the effective and swift recovery of maintenance.

These rules ensure the judicial protection of the maintenance creditor by enabling him/her to sue the debtor before any court of the creditor's country of residence.

Additionally, in most cases, the Hague Convention Protocol of 2007 determines the law applicable to maintenance obligations and any judgment on maintenance that is issued by Member State courts moves freely within the European Union and may be enforced in all Member States without additional formalities. Finally, maintenance creditors and debtors benefit from administrative assistance offered by Member States.

On the European e-Justice Portal, you will find information about the application of the Regulation, as well as a user-friendly tool for filling in the forms.

Where maintenance is paid or received by a person residing in a non-EU State, the Convention on the international recovery of child support and other forms of family maintenance and the Protocol on the law applicable to maintenance obligations may help you in recovering your maintenance in non-EU States which are contracting parties to the Convention. The Convention entered into force for the EU towards third countries which are parties to the Convention on 1 August 2014.

Central Authority

Ministry of Justice and Public Order
International Legal Cooperation Unit
125 Athalassas Ave.
1461 Nicosia
Cyprus

Ms Troodia Dionysiou
International Legal Cooperation Unit
Ministry of Justice and Public Order
Tel: (+357) 22805932
Fax: (+357) 22518328
Email: tdionysiou@mjpo.gov.cy

Ms Constandina Sophocleous
International Legal Cooperation Unit
Ministry of Justice and Public Order
Tel: (+357) 22805973
Fax: (+357) 22518328
Email: csophocleous@mjpo.gov.cy

Relevant links:

- European e-Justice Portal

- Hague Protocol of 23 November 2007

- Hague Convention

- ARCHIVED European Judicial ATLAS website (closed on 30 September 2017)

Procedure for Completing Applications for Recognition and Enforcement of a Maintenance Decision in other Member States under Regulation EC 4/2009

General information on completing applications:

A. Application for the recognition, declaration of enforceability or enforcement of a decision in matters relating to maintenance obligations (Annex VI)

B. Application to obtain a decision or have modified a decision in matters relating to maintenance obligations (Annex VII)

Procedure for completing an Application for Recognition and Enforcement of a Maintenance Decision to non-EU States under the Hague Convention of 23 November 2007

The link to useful information on completing applications is provided below:

https://www.hcch.net/en/instruments/conventions/specialised-sections/child-support

Compulsory forms to accompany the application (provided below for easy reference).

- Transmittal Form Annex I

- Application for Recognition or Recognition and Enforcement

- Restricted Information on the Applicant

- Statement of Enforceability of a Decision

- Abstract of a Decision

- Statement of Maintenance Arrears

- Statement of Proper Notice

- Financial Circumstances Form

Procedure for completing applications for Recognition and Enforcement of a Maintenance decision by other Member States under (EC) 4/2009 & the Hague Convention of 23/11/2007