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After the birth of a child, the biological or adoptive parent can take care of the child at home for 320 days of parental leave. When there are two parents, each parent is entitled to 160 working days of leave. If more than one child is born, parental leave is extended by 84 days for each child born.
A parent may transfer a maximum of 63 working days of their parental leave to the other parent, a guardian, or their own or the other parent’s spouse or cohabiting partner. Parents may simultaneously care for their child at home for 18 working days during pregnancy or parental leave. The employer must be notified of parental leave at least two months before the start of the leave, or at least one month before if the leave is 12 days or less.
A parent in employment may divide parental leave into a maximum of four periods of at least 12 days, and parental leave may be taken until the child reaches the age of 2. If an employee is simultaneously entitled to parental allowance for another child or children, they may take a maximum of four periods of parental leave during the same calendar year. The employer may also agree on partial parental leave in conjunction with part-time work. In this case, half days are deducted from the parental leave quota.
The parent giving birth may take pregnancy leave 14–30 days before the birth of the child if the pregnancy has lasted at least 154 days. However, pregnancy leave always begins no later than the day following the end of the pregnancy. Pregnancy leave lasts for 40 working days and must be taken as a continuous period; it cannot be postponed to a later date. Sundays and public holidays are not included in the calculation of working days. The employer must be notified of maternity leave no later than two months before the intended start date of the leave.
The Kela website provides more information and instructions on what to consider during pregnancy and when applying for pregnancy allowance.
The law only regulates the right to pregnancy and parental leave, and payment of wages during leave is based on the collective agreement, employment contract, or workplace practices.
However, you can apply for pregnancy or parental allowance paid by Kela for the period of pregnancy or parental leave. If your employer pays your salary during the leave, the pregnancy and parental allowance granted by Kela is, as a rule, paid directly to your employer.
