Pregnant and self-employed

Pregnant and self-employed? Then you don’t have an employer looking after your health, work conditions, or leave. That means you are responsible for your own safe working environment and for applying for any benefits. But don’t worry! With good preparation, you can absolutely combine your work and pregnancy.

1. Safe and healthy work as a freelancer

As a self-employed professional, you're responsible for your own working conditions. Some types of work can be harmful to you or your baby, such as:

• Contact with solvents, radiation or pesticides
• Physically demanding tasks like heavy lifting or long periods of standing
• Exposure to infections (e.g. in healthcare or childcare)
• Irregular work hours or night shifts
• High-stress work environments
• Working in loud or vibrating environments
• Extreme cold or heat

👉 Visit the (Dutch) RIVM website or Arboportaal for more details. Not sure if your work is safe? Feel free to discuss it with us — even before you become pregnant.

2. Pregnancy and job applications

Are you looking for a new freelance assignment or considering a salaried role alongside your business? Good to know:

• You’re not required to tell a potential employer you are pregnant during a job application.
• You may not be rejected based on your pregnancy.

Read more at Rijksoverheid (Dutch).

3. ZEZ benefit: financial support for freelancers

As a self-employed person, you’re not entitled to standard maternity leave via an employer. But you can apply for the ZEZ benefit (Self-employed and Pregnant) through UWV.

Who is eligible for the ZEZ benefit?

You may qualify if you are:

• A business owner
• A contributing partner in a business
• A freelancer, childminder, artist, or GP
• Working with a personal care budget (pgb)
• A co-owner or shareholder of the business you work for
• A domestic or private household help

👉 Apply for the ZEZ benefit here.

How much will you receive?

UWV calculates the amount based on your income from the past year. Note: the benefit will never exceed the legal gross minimum wage.
What do you need for the application?

• A pregnancy certificate from us, which you'll receive during a check-up
• Your most recent tax return or annual financial report

More information: UWV ZEZ page.

4. Maternity leave for freelancers

As a freelancer, you largely decide yourself how long you’ll keep working. But there are some general guidelines:

• Your leave must start between 34 and 36 weeks of pregnancy.
• Maternity leave lasts at least 16 weeks.

Want to stop working earlier? That’s fine, but your ZEZ benefit will only start from 34 weeks.

5. Insurance and financial planning

Do you have a disability insurance (AOV)? Check carefully if and when you’re covered during pregnancy. Some insurers require you to have taken out the policy a certain time before getting pregnant.

It’s also wise to:

• Set aside extra savings in case the ZEZ benefit isn’t enough.
• Save in advance if you expect to work less during your pregnancy.

6. Plan for back-up

Hopefully you’ll be able to work until week 34–36, but pregnancy can be unpredictable. Make sure you have a back-up plan:

• Can you outsource work to a fellow freelancer?
• Can you finish current projects before your leave starts?
• Are there clients you can temporarily pause?

Start thinking about this in your second trimester, so you can enter your leave with peace of mind.

Paternity/Partner Leave

As a self-employed partner, you are not entitled to paid partner or paternity leave. However, if your partner is employed, they may take partner or parental leave. Learn more at uwv.nl – paid parental leave or uwv.nl – additional birth leave.

See also our article: Partner leave after birth.

Summary

Being self-employed while pregnant requires a bit more preparation, but with the right planning and support you can combine your business and pregnancy just fine. Key points:

• Ensure a safe work environment and adjust your activities if needed.
• You are not required to disclose your pregnancy when applying for a job or freelance contract.
• Apply for the ZEZ benefit at UWV for financial support.
• Maternity leave starts between 34 and 36 weeks and lasts at least 16 weeks.
• Review your disability insurance and save extra money in advance.
• Plan for temporary coverage or adjust your projects ahead of time.

Want advice about your specific situation? Feel free to talk to us during a check-up! 😊