The government wants to introduce paid parental leave as of 21 August 2022. Parents are currently entitled to 26 weeks of parental leave per child, which they may take during the first eight years of their child’s life. In principle, this leave is unpaid. Under the government’s plans, parents will receive benefits from the Social Security Institution (UWV) during the first nine weeks of parental leave. The amount of the benefit will be 50% of the daily wage, up to a maximum of 50% of the statutory maximum daily wage. Paid parental leave must be taken in the child’s first year of life. The remaining 17 weeks of (unpaid) parental leave can be taken up until the child’s eighth birthday.

With this regulation, the government aims to promote the equal distribution of labour and care between partners. It also gives substance to the European directive on work-life balance.

After the introduction of the government’s plans, parental leave around and after birth will be as follows:

Mother

• Maternity leave: four to six weeks before the due date – 100% paid
• Maternity leave: ten to twelve weeks following birth – 100% paid
• Parental leave: nine weeks during the first year following giving birth – 50% paid
• Parental leave: 17 weeks up until eight years following birth – unpaid

Partner

• Birth leave: one week within four weeks following birth – 100% paid
• Additional birth leave: five weeks within six months following birth – 70% paid
• Parental leave: nine weeks in the first year following birth – 50% paid
• Parental leave: 17 weeks in the first eight years following birth – unpaid