Mother - Postpartum leave

Your baby is (almost) here and you would like to take some extra time off. But what exactly are your rights? You’ve probably seen many different terms already: maternity leave, birth leave, parental leave… And the rules also differ depending on whether you are employed or self-employed. In this article, we clearly explain the key facts so you know exactly what to expect.

As an employee

• Pregnancy leave (before birth): You may stop working from 6 weeks before the day after your due date, but no later than 4 weeks before the day after your due date (in case of a single pregnancy).
• Maternity leave (after birth): Minimum of 6 weeks immediately after birth, and then an additional 4–6 weeks flexible within the first 30 weeks after the initial 6 weeks. (If your baby has a long hospital stay after birth, you may be entitled to additional maternity leave, also called “couveuse leave”.)
• Parental leave: 26 weeks per child until the age of 8, of which 9 weeks are paid if taken within the first year of your child’s life.

👉 More information on leave arrangements: Rijksoverheid.nl and UWV.nl.

Self-employed

Are you a freelancer or business owner? Then you can apply for a pregnancy leave and maternity leave  allowance for self-employed parents (ZEZ benefit) via the WAZO scheme.
Unfortunately, you are not entitled to statutory parental leave.
👉 More information for self-employed parents: www.uwv.nl/nl/zez

Are you receiving a benefit

If you are pregnant and receiving an unemployment, sickness or salary-linked WGA benefit, you will qualify for paid maternity leave. Unfortunately, you are not entitled to statutory parental leave.
👉 More information for self-employed parents: www.uwv.nl/nl/zez

Not sure what applies to your situation? Contact your employer or the UWV!