Birthleave, partnerleave

Birthleave, partnerleave

The law entitles partners of new mothers to a working week off after childbirth. The number of leave hours equals the number of working hours per week. Are you the mother’s partner? Then you need to take up this leave within 28 days after the birth of the child.

On the delivery date, you are entitled to emergency leave with full payment.

You take up the statutory birth leave and the emergency leave in consultation with your supervisor.

Additional birth leave as of 1 July 2020

From 1 July 2020 on, partners will be able to take a maximum of five weeks of ‘additional birth leave’ when their child is born, pursuant to the Additional Leave (Introduction) Act (WIEG: Wet Invoering Extra Geboorteverlof). The number of leave hours equals the number of working hours per week. You have to take out this additional leave in a period of 6 months. It is only possible to divide the leave in whole weeks.

How to apply?

If you are entitled to apply for one of these regulations. First of all you take up the statutory birth leave and the emergency leave in consultation with your supervisor.

Secondly, at least four weeks before the alleged delivery date, send a request to HvA JobService for additional birth leave. HvA JobService needs to send in the forms for additional birth leave to the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV).

You will have fully unpaid leave. You will be reimbursed 70% of your wage (with a maximum of 70% of the maximum Social Security daily wage) by the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV). More information will be found on the website van de Rijksoverheid (only in Dutch).

Who is the mother’s partner?

Birth leave is for the mother’s partner. You are the mother’s partner:

  • if you’re married to her;
  • if you’re her registered partner;
  • if you’re unmarried to her;
  • if you acknowledge her child.