Maternity and paternity leave 2024
What are you entitled to as an expectant mother at work?
During your pregnancy, you will of course need to see the doctor more often. If you cannot schedule these visits outside working hours, they will be reimbursed by your employer upon confirmation of your doctor's visit - the same rules apply here as for routine medical check-ups and examinations.
Maternity leave and maternity allowance
Maternity leave lasts 28 weeks in case that one child was born. If two or more children are born, the length of maternity leave is extended to 37 weeks. You can then choose to start your maternity 6-8 weeks before the expected date of birth.
Financial support during maternity leave
Work and employment during maternity leave
- with your current employer based on an agreement on the performance of work or work activity, or on a new employment contract, which, however, will be concluded for a different type of work than you did before you took maternity leave.
- you can work for another employer based on an agreement on the performance of work or work activity or an employment contract without restrictions, i.e., also on the role you performed before maternity leave. However, if it is a competitive activity, you will need the written consent of your employer.
- Own business is another option, but it must not be an activity that is identical to the subject of the current employer's activity, in which case written consent would again be a must.
It is not possible to obtain sick-leave contribution at the same time as receiving maternity allowance.
Self-employed mothers
When a self-employed mother receives maternity allowance, she cannot personally do the same job that gave rise to her entitlement. However, you can continue in business through your employees or earn extra money with another employer.