The state is changing the parental leave and benefits system once again and starting from the 1st of July 2020, the paternity leave will increase from 10 to 30 calendar days. In addition, additional parental allowance will be paid to the father. The purpose of the change is to allow fathers to play a larger role in raising their children.
The new system will come into effect starting from the 1st of July 2020, meaning that it will be valid for the fathers whose children will be born on the 1st of July or later.
Currently, fathers are entitled to 10 working days of paternity leave over two months before the expected due date determined by a doctor or midwife or during the two months after the child’s birth. It should be borne in mind that if the child is born before 1 July 2020, the old rules still apply. If the father has used up his right to the 10 days of paternity leave under the old procedure in the two months before the birth, the old system applies and they are not entitled to the remaining 20 days holiday later even if the child was born on 1 July or later.
The father may not work while he is receiving the additional parental benefit. Fathers who do not work likewise have the right to receive additional parental benefit for 30 calendar days.
The amount of the parental benefit is calculated primarily on the nine full calendar months preceding the child’s birth month (i.e. the average pregnancy length regardless of whether the child was born premature, at term or later). The parental benefit is calculated based on the income in the preceding 12 calendar months.
To receive paternity leave, the applicant should file the application with his employer. The application should state the expected due date of the child, the name of the mother of the child and her personal identification code. If the child has already been born, the child’s name and personal identification code should be communicated to the employer.
