Cyprus & EU Roundup – September 11, 2025

At Emerald Zebra, we stay close to the regulatory, economic, and workforce trends shaping our clients’ hiring and talent strategies. Here’s this week’s snapshot of the most relevant developments in Cyprus and the EU.

Instant Payments: The Final Countdown

The EU’s Instant Payments Regulation (ECB) is reaching its critical deadlines:

• • 9 January 2025 – obligation to receive instant euro payments came into force.
  • 9 October 2025 – PSPs and EMIs must also send instant payments.
  • 5 October 2025 – the EPC Verification of Payee Rulebook takes effect.
  • Fee parity – instant payments cannot cost more than standard SEPA transfers.

For employers: systems must operate 24/7, with IBAN–name checks and real-time fraud prevention.

For professionals: demand is rising for compliance, payments operations, and fraud specialists with SEPA/VoP expertise.

PSD3 / PSR Moves Forward

The Council of the EU has endorsed its position on PSD3 and the new Payments Services Regulation, paving the way for trilogues with the European Parliament. Expect tougher consumer protection, fraud measures, and data access rules.

• Expect tougher consumer protection, stronger fraud measures, and more open data frameworks.

For employers: embed compliance and risk foresight into leadership decisions.

For professionals: upskilling in payments regulation, fraud prevention, and open banking standards will set you apart.

CySEC Tightens CFD Rules

A new directive published on 5 September 2025 further restricts leverage and marketing practices for CFD products in Cyprus. See CySEC announcements for details.

For employers: training, disclosures, and marketing policies must be refreshed.

For professionals: compliance and marketing governance roles are becoming more risk-critical.

iGaming: Enforcement on Unlicensed Ads

Cyprus’ National Betting Authority has flagged a rise in advertising for unlicensed online casinos. Current law prohibits online casino games, limiting legal offerings to licensed sports betting. Enforcement is expected to increase.

For employers: audit ad campaigns and ensure strict compliance.

For professionals: AML, compliance, and legal skills are in demand, while marketers with regulatory know-how will stand out.

Cyprus Promotes FinTech in Japan

Invest Cyprus recently showcased the island’s innovation and fintech potential at WebX Osaka/Tokyo and in a Tokyo investor roundtable. This is part of a wider effort to position Cyprus as a global hub for financial innovation.

For employers: positive momentum for relocation and international hiring.

For professionals: Cyprus continues to build visibility as a career destination.

Workforce Snapshot

According to CYSTAT

• Employment Q2 2025: 508,291 (+1.8% y/y)
• Unemployment Q2 2025: 4.3% (down from 5.5% last year)
• Registered unemployed (Aug 2025): 11,556

For employers: the market remains tight, salary competitiveness and speed-to-hire are essential.

For professionals: strong job security and continued demand, especially in regulated industries.

EU to Base Regional Firefighting Hub in Cyprus

The EU has announced a new regional firefighting hub will be established in Cyprus, boosting the island’s role in EU civil protection and resilience.

For employers: this reinforces Cyprus’ strategic value and creates opportunities in public-sector projects and ESG-related initiatives.

Upskilling with AGRC

As regulations tighten across payments, iGaming, and fintech, compliance, risk, and AML skills are becoming career accelerators. Through our partnership with the Association of Governance, Risk & Compliance (AGRC), we support professionals in gaining globally recognised certifications and employers in building resilient, future-ready teams.

Event to Watch

Wiki Finance Expo – Limassol, 24 September 2025
One of the region’s largest events for FinTech, Forex, Crypto, Payments, and AI, bringing together over 5,000 participants at Parklane.