The Netherlands supports working parents with comprehensive leave policies to help balance work and family life. There are three main types of parental leave: standard birth leave (geboorteverlof), extended birth leave (aanvullend geboorteverlof), and parental leave (ouderschapsverlof).
Geboorteverlof: Standard birth leave
Partners of new mothers are entitled to birth leave equal to their weekly working hours, up to five days. This leave must be used within four weeks of childbirth. The start date is flexible, allowing employees to choose when to take the leave. Employers cannot deny this request.
Birth leave can immediately follow other short paid leave types, such as calamiteitenverlof (emergency leave) or kort verzuimverlof (short-term leave) for attending the birth or registering the child. If your employer follows a collective labor agreement (CAO), you might also be entitled to additional days off.
To apply for birth leave, notify your employer as soon as possible, either verbally or in writing. Note that even in cases of twins or multiple births, the total leave is still capped at five working days.
Read more about standard birth leave on the official government page here.
Aanvullend geboorteverlof: Extended birth leave
Partners can take up to five additional weeks of leave in the six months following childbirth. However, this extended leave is only available after completing the standard geboorteverlof.
During this extended leave, the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV) provides financial compensation, covering 70% of the taxable daily wage, up to a legal cap of €5,075.53 per month (2024 figures).
For example, if your gross monthly salary is €6,000:
- Your daily wage = €6,000 ÷ 21.75 ≈ €275.86
- Legal daily cap = €274.44
- Benefit = 70% of €274.44 ≈ €192.11 per day
- Total monthly benefit = €192.11 × 21.75 ≈ €4,175.39
To request extended leave, submit a written notice to your employer at least four weeks in advance. Employers are responsible for applying to the UWV on your behalf after the child’s birth.
For detailed information on extended leave, visit the Rijksoverheid or the UWV.
Ouderschapsverlof: Parental leave
Parental leave allows both parents to take time off work to care for their child until the child turns 8 years old. The total leave duration is 26 weeks and is split into two parts:
- Paid parental leave: The first nine weeks are paid at 70% of the taxable daily wage (capped at €5,075.53 per month). This portion must be used within the first year of the child’s life.
- Unpaid parental leave: The remaining 17 weeks are unpaid unless specified otherwise in a collective labor agreement (CAO).
To apply for parental leave, employees must submit a written request at least two months in advance. Employers cannot refuse the request, but they may discuss an alternative schedule if it causes significant disruption to business operations.
Impact on income and government benefits
Taking leave can reduce your income and may affect government benefits, such as:
- Housing allowance (huurtoeslag)
- Healthcare allowance (zorgtoeslag)
- Childcare allowance (kinderopvangtoeslag)
It’s important to consider these potential changes when planning your leave. For further details, visit Toeslagen.nl.
Highly Skilled Migrants and the 30% ruling
If you are part of the Highly Skilled Migrant program, parental or unpaid leave does not affect your residence permit or the 30% ruling. However, your employer must inform the IND at least two weeks in advance of your leave period.
Final thoughts
Parental leave in the Netherlands provides excellent support for working parents to balance family responsibilities and professional commitments. By understanding your options for standard birth leave, extended leave, and parental leave, you can better plan for your family’s needs. For the latest information, visit Rijksoverheid or UWV.