Dutch Maternity, Paternity and Parental Leave
Dutch leave policy is shifting fast from a maternity-centric model toward shared, gender-balanced leave. The 2019 expansion of paternity leave (WIEG) and the paid parental leave (betaald ouderschapsverlof) of 9 weeks introduced in August 2022 are the headline changes, and the wage-replacement rate was raised to 70% in 2024 (the exact effective dates depend on legislation).
Zwangerschapsverlof / Bevallingsverlof (maternity leave)
- A combined 16 weeks of pregnancy and post-birth leave. Zwangerschapsverlof starts 4–6 weeks before the due date, and at least 10 consecutive weeks of bevallingsverlof must be taken after birth.
- Wage replacement: UWV pays 100% of your previous daily wage up to the maximum daily wage. The maximum daily wage is around €274 (2024) and adjusted yearly.
- For multiple births, leave is extended by 4 weeks.
Geboorteverlof / Aanvullend Geboorteverlof (partner / paternity leave)
- The partner gets 1 week of fully paid leave (geboorteverlof) immediately after birth, with the employer paying 100% of wages.
- Within the next 6 months you can take an additional 5 weeks (aanvullend geboorteverlof), paid by UWV at around 70% of wages up to the daily-wage cap.
Ouderschapsverlof (parental leave)
Each parent is entitled to up to 26 weeks (measured against their weekly working hours) of parental leave per child, taken in flexible blocks until the child turns 8.
- Under the betaald ouderschapsverlof introduced in August 2022, the first 9 weeks are paid by UWV at around 70% of wages (up to the daily-wage cap), and must be taken before the child's first birthday.
- The remaining 17 weeks are unpaid and can be used flexibly until the child is 8. Some employers and CAOs add wage top-ups.
Kraamzorg (post-partum home care)
A distinctly Dutch arrangement: for 8–10 days after birth a kraamverzorgende (post-partum carer) visits the family home to support new-born and maternal health, breastfeeding, and household tasks. The basic insurance (basisverzekering) covers around 49 hours, with a co-payment of roughly €5–€6 per hour.
What Koreans often miss
- For workers using the 30% ruling, the wage base used to calculate maternity and parental leave benefits is generally the post-ruling taxable wage, so payouts may come in lower than expected.
- Kinderopvangtoeslag (childcare subsidy) and parental leave can run in parallel. If parental leave reduces your hours, your subsidised childcare hours are recalculated accordingly.
- Visa holders (especially kennismigrant) who reduce hours below visa thresholds during long parental leave can put their permit at risk — confirm with IND and your employer in advance.
Official guidance: UWV: Verlof, government.nl: Parental leave, Rijksoverheid: Betaald ouderschapsverlof