Maternity leave
If you're an employee in the Netherlands, you are legally entitled to at least 16 weeks paid maternity leave.
Usually, expectant mothers start their maternity leave around 4 to 6 weeks before the due date. This period before the birth, and the 10-12 weeks afterwards, is covered by the maternity allowance (zwangerschapsuitkering).
In general, it is prohibited to terminate the contract of a pregnant woman (who has informed the employer about the pregnancy) and who is on maternity leave. At the end of maternity leave, you can choose to go back to work, or take full-time or part-time parental leave.
Paternity / Partner leave
Partners of mothers who have just given birth are entitled to 1 workweek of paid leave (geboorteverlof) even if they work part-time. To have additional time with the new child, fathers/partners can take five weeks of paternity leave (vaderchapsverlof), for which you can receive 70% of your regular salary – unless your employer is willing to pay more.
Parental leave
Parents with children up to eight years old are entitled for parental leave, which is generally unpaid. It allows you to take 26 times the hours you work per week.
Paid parental leave
As of 2022, parents are entitled to 9 weeks of (partially) paid parental leave. The parents will receive 70% of their daily wage if these 9 weeks are taken out during the first year of the child’s life.
