An expectant mother is entitled to a number of weeks of leave, both before and after childbirth. The partner is also entitled to several days of leave. In case of a premature birth, exceptions can be made.
Leave arrangements
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Leave arrangements
Mother and employee
Prenatal leave for employees amounts to 6 weeks, of which 1 week before childbirth is mandatory. Postnatal leave consists of 9 weeks. This results in a total of 15 weeks of maternity leave. In the case of multiple births, the total maternity leave amounts to 19 weeks (8 weeks of prenatal leave and 11 weeks of postnatal leave).
In the case of a premature childbirth, the mandatory week of prenatal leave lapses. The remaining 5 weeks of prenatal leave can then be taken after birth. If the baby must remain in the hospital for more than 7 days after birth, postnatal leave can be extended by a period equal to the number of days the child is hospitalized, excluding the first 7 days. This extension can amount to a maximum of 24 weeks.
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Mother and self-employed
The maternity leave for self-employed workers amounts to a total of 12 weeks. Of these, 3 weeks are mandatory: 1 week before the birth and 2 weeks after the birth. The remaining 9 weeks can be taken at any chosen time. In case of multiple births, maternity leave lasts 13 weeks.
Self-employed workers can also extend maternity leave if the child must remain in the hospital for a least one week after birth. In this case, maternity leave can be extended by a period equal to the number of full weeks of uninterrupted hospitalization of the child, after the initial 7 days.
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Father/co-parent and employee
A father or co-parent is entitled, as an employee, to 20 days of paternity- or birth leave. This leave must be taken within 4 months after childbirth. Unfortunately, no extension of paternity or birth leave is possible in the case of premature birth or prolonged hospitalization of the baby.
Paternity or birth leave must be requested from the health insurance fund.
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View the campaign by UCLL University of Applied Sciences regarding paternity or birth leave.
Father/co-parent and self-employed
A self-employed father or co-parent can take 20 days of paternity or birth leave. During this period, a benefit is granted, which must be requested from the social insurance fund. Unfortunately, no extension of paternity or birth leave is possible in the case of premature birth or prolonged hospitalization of the baby.
The paternity or birth leave must be requested from the social insurance fund.
Learn more? Click here
View the campaign by UCLL University of Applied Sciences regarding paternity or birth leave.
Maternity leave application
The application for maternity leave can be submitted using the form ‘Certificate of incapacity for work’, available on the website of the health insurance fund. Additionally, the certificate ‘Application for maternity leave’ from the pregnancy booklet may also be used. This certificate must be completed by a physician or midwife. The document must be submitted to the advising physician of the health insurance fund no later than two days after the start of the maternity leave. Payment of the maternity leave is carried out through the health insurance fund.
Breastfeeding leave
After postnatal leave, additional leave can be taken to breastfeed. This leave is unpaid. The duration of this leave has to be agreed upon with the employer. This is referred to as individual breastfeeding leave.
If exposure to substances or circumstances that pose health risks occurs during the performance of work, preventive (prophylactic) breastfeeding leave may be taken. Depending on the situation, adapted work may be provided, or leave can be granted, with a maximum duration of five months after childbirth.