Parental leave

General Information:

Parental leave allows employees to devote time to their child while maintaining a connection to their profession. During parental leave, employees have a legal right to work part-time. In principle, parental leave can be taken until the child reaches the age of three. Each parent’s parental leave is considered separately.

Requirements:

  • The eligible parent lives in the same household as the child.
  • The eligible parent primarily cares for and raises the child themselves.
  • The eligible parent does not work more than 32 hours per week during parental leave.

Procedure:

  • Parental leave can be taken, either in full or in part, by each parent individually or jointly by both parents.
  • For mothers, parental leave begins no earlier than the day after the end of the maternity protection period. The time spent in maternity leave is counted toward the maximum period up to the child’s third birthday.
  • For fathers, parental leave begins no earlier than the day after the child’s birth.
  • Parental leave can also be divided into up to three separate periods per parent.
  • Up to 24 months of parental leave can, with the employer’s consent, be deferred to the period until the child reaches the age of eight.

Employment During Parental Leave:

  • Employment is permitted during parental leave if the agreed weekly working hours for each parent are reduced to 15–32 hours for at least two months.
  • Part-time work with another employer or as a self-employed person requires the employer’s consent.

Application for parental leave: