Maternity, Paternity and Parental Leave in Luxembourg

Maternity leave is paid by the health insurance (CNS). Paternity leave is paid by the employer, which is then reimbursed by the State. Parental leave is available to each parent and paid by the Children's Future Fund (CAE) as replacement income. The amounts below follow the social minimum wage (€2,771.33 a month since 1 June 2026).

Maternity leave (congé de maternité)

• 20 weeks in total: 8 weeks before the expected birth and 12 weeks after the actual birth. If the baby comes early, the unused prenatal days are added after the birth, within the 20 weeks.
• You must have been compulsorily insured for health and maternity for at least 6 months in the 12 months before the leave.
• Send the CNS and your employer a medical certificate with the expected date of birth, issued in the last 12 weeks of pregnancy (not earlier).
• Maternity benefit: paid by the CNS, not by the employer. For employees it is based on the highest salary of the last 3 months. It is at least the social minimum wage and at most 5 times the social minimum wage.
• Your employment contract continues during the leave, and you are protected against dismissal during pregnancy once your employer knows about it.

Paternity leave (congé de paternité)

• 10 days for the father or the person recognised as second parent, at the birth of a child or when a child under 16 arrives for adoption.
• Tell your employer in writing at least 2 months before the dates you want. Without notice, the leave is taken in one block straight after the birth.
• Your salary continues; the State reimburses the employer from the 17th hour of leave.

Parental leave (congé parental)

• Each parent has a right to parental leave for each child. One parent takes the first parental leave right after maternity or adoption leave. The second must start before the child's 6th birthday (12th birthday after an adoption).
• Conditions: at least 12 months of continuous affiliation through an employment contract before the leave, a contract of at least 10 hours a week, and still being employed during the leave.
• Options for a 40-hour contract: 4 or 6 months full-time, 8 or 12 months half-time, or split leave (for example 4 periods of one month within 20 months). Half-time and split leave need the employer's agreement.
• Parental leave allowance (2026): replaces your average monthly income of the 12 months before the leave. For full-time leave after a full-time job it is at least €2,771.33 and at most €4,618.88 a month (gross, taxed and subject to contributions).

Common pitfalls for newcomers

• Ask for the first parental leave at least 2 months before maternity leave starts. If it is not taken right after maternity leave, it is lost and the other parent can only take the second leave.
• A parent still in a probation period that ends after maternity leave can take only the second parental leave.
• Parental leave needs 12 months of Luxembourg affiliation, so recent arrivals may not qualify yet.
• Ask for the second parental leave at least 4 months ahead: employers can postpone it in some cases.

Official guidance: Guichet.lu: maternity leave, Guichet.lu: paternity leave, Guichet.lu: parental leave, CNS: maternity and paternity