Parental leave by country
Last reviewed: 7 November 2026
Parental leave compared across countries: maternity leave, paternity leave, parental leave, pay during leave, job protection. Pick a country for the full list of rules, each with its official source.
| Country | Maternity leave | Paternity leave | Parental leave | Pay during leave | Job protection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | 6 weeks before + 8 weeks after birth | ⚠ Not yet verified | Until child's 3rd birthday; 24 months up to age 8 | Elterngeld 67% of pay, EUR 300 to 1,800 a month | No dismissal in pregnancy, 4 months after birth, leave |
| Netherlands | 16 weeks paid in total | 1 week full pay + 5 weeks additional | 26 x weekly hours per child; 9 weeks at 70% | 100% (16 weeks); additional leave up to 70% | No dismissal in pregnancy, leave and 6 weeks after |
| United Kingdom | Taking parental leave, Great Britain: 52 weeks (2 weeks compulsory after birth) | Taking parental leave, Great Britain: 2 weeks, in one or two blocks | Taking parental leave, Great Britain: Shared 50 weeks; unpaid 18 weeks per child | Taking parental leave, Great Britain: SMP 39 weeks; GBP 194.32 or 90% a week | Taking parental leave, Great Britain: Rights protected; redundancy priority to 18 months |
| France | 16 weeks (1st/2nd child), 26 from the 3rd | 3 days + 4 compulsory + 21 optional days | 1 year, renewable; +1-2 months birth leave | Social security daily allowance (capped) | No dismissal in leave; 10 weeks after maternity |
| Spain | 19 weeks (32 for a single parent) | 19 weeks, same as the mother | Up to 8 weeks to child's 8th birthday; 3 years' absence | Social security subsidy: 100% of base | Dismissal null during leave and 12 months after |
| Italy | 5 months (2 before, 3 after the birth) | 10 working days (20 for multiple births) | Up to 10 months in total (11 if father takes 3+) | Maternity 80%, paternity 100%, parental 30% or 80% | No dismissal until the child is 1; right to return |
| United States | 12 weeks unpaid (FMLA), if eligible | Both parents: 12 weeks unpaid (FMLA) | 12 weeks in any 12 months, unpaid | Unpaid (accrued paid leave may be used) | Same or equivalent job on return |
| Mexico | 6 weeks before + 6 weeks after birth | 5 paid working days | ⚠ Not yet verified | 100% of wage via IMSS (42 + 42 days) | Return to post within 1 year of birth |
| Ireland | 26 weeks + up to 16 weeks additional | 2 weeks, within 6 months of birth | Parent's leave 9 weeks; parental leave 26 weeks unpaid | EUR 299 a week (maternity, paternity, parent's) | Right to return; protected from unfair dismissal |
| Australia | Up to 12 months unpaid; can start 6 weeks early | Same 12 months unpaid leave as the birth parent | 12 months unpaid, extendable to 24; 100 flexible days | Up to 130 days at minimum wage (births from 1 Jul 2026) | Return to pre-leave position |
| Poland | 20 weeks (31 for twins) | 2 weeks, until child is 12 months | 41 weeks shared (9 each); child-rearing leave 36 months | 100% maternity and paternity; 70% parental (81.5% if chosen) | No dismissal from pregnancy to end of leave |
| Portugal | 120 or 150 days shared; mother 42 days compulsory | 28 compulsory days + 7 days | 3 months complementary; childcare leave 2-3 years | 100% (120 days) or 80% (150 days) of reference pay | Dismissal needs prior opinion of equality authority |
| Belgium | 15 weeks (17 for multiples) | 20 days within 4 months of birth | 4 months full-time per child (to age 12) | 82% then 75% (capped); parental: flat rate | No dismissal from notice to 1 month after; 6 months' pay |
| Sweden | 7 weeks before + 7 weeks after birth | 10 days of temporary parental benefit at birth | Full leave to 18 months, then while on parental benefit | 480 days: 390 income-based, 90 at SEK 180 a day | No disadvantage or dismissal because of leave |
| Austria | 8 weeks before + 8 after birth (12 if caesarean) | 1 month of leave after the birth | Karenz until child is 22 months (24 if single parent) | Wochengeld; childcare benefit; EUR 54.87/day father bonus | No dismissal in pregnancy, 4 months after birth, Karenz |
| Greece | 17 weeks (8+9), then 9 months special leave | 14 working days, paid | 4 months each until the child is 8 | Employer 15-30 days, then insurance and DYPA payments | Right to return to same or equivalent job |
| Switzerland | At least 14 weeks after birth | 2 weeks, within 6 months of birth | ⚠ Not yet verified | Maternity 98 days, other parent 14 days, 80% of pay | No dismissal in pregnancy and 16 weeks after birth |
| Denmark | 4 weeks before + 10 weeks after birth | 2 weeks after birth | 32 weeks each after week 10 (up to 46) | Dagpenge: mother 14, father 22 weeks (§ 9-10 leave) | No dismissal for pregnancy or leave; compensation |
| Czechia | 28 weeks (37 for twins) | 2 weeks, starting within 6 weeks of birth | Until the child is 3, on request | Maternity and paternity benefit 70% of daily base | No dismissal in pregnancy or on leave; return to same job |
| Hungary | 24 weeks, 2 of them compulsory | 10 working days, within 4 months of birth | 44 working days parental leave; unpaid leave to age 3 | Infant care allowance 100%; GYED 70% until child is 2 | No dismissal in pregnancy or on leave |
| Finland | 40 working days of pregnancy allowance | 160 days each; 18 days together | 160 working days each (320 total) | Income-based; minimum EUR 31.99 a day | No dismissal for pregnancy or leave; right to return |
| Norway | 3 weeks before + 15 weeks mother's quota (100%) | 2 weeks leave; father's quota 15 weeks (100%) | Benefit 49 weeks at 100% or 61 weeks at 80% | 100% for 49 weeks or 80% for 61 weeks | No dismissal for pregnancy or during leave (1 year) |
| New Zealand | 26 weeks primary carer leave | 1 or 2 weeks unpaid partner's leave | Up to 52 weeks in total, incl. 26 primary carer | Up to 26 weeks, up to a weekly maximum | Job kept open (key position and redundancy exceptions) |
| Croatia | Until the child is 6 months; 98 days compulsory | 10 working days (15 for multiple births) | 8 months (30 from the 3rd child or twins) | 100% of basis; parental leave capped | No dismissal in leave; 15 days after |
| Romania | 126 days (63+63); 42 after the birth compulsory | 10 working days (+5 with childcare course) | Until the child is 2 (3 if disabled) | Maternity 85% of base; child-raising 85% of net income | No dismissal while pregnant or on leave |
| Japan | 8 weeks after birth; 6 before on request | Up to 4 weeks within 8 weeks of birth, 2 parts | Until age 1 (up to 2 in special cases) | 67% for 180 days, then 50% | No dismissal or disadvantage for taking leave |
| Turkey | 8 weeks before + 16 weeks after birth | 10 days paid leave | Unpaid part-time leave 60-180 days; 6 months unpaid | Social insurance allowance for 24 weeks | Pregnancy and birth not valid reasons to dismiss |
How to read the comparison
The table compares these points:
- Maternity leave
- Paternity leave
- Parental leave
- Pay during leave
- Job protection
Before you rely on it
These are national rules. Regions, cities, employers and venues can add their own, and the law changes. A rule marked “to verify” has not yet been confirmed against an official source. Each country page links to the official sources, and those are the place to confirm the details.
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.