How do I request additional birth leave in the Netherlands?
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Detailed explanation, checklist and sources
Looking for paternity or partner leave? The partner uses birth leave and, where applicable, additional birth leave; parental leave is a separate scheme. Normally notify your employer in writing at least four weeks before additional birth leave starts. Take ordinary birth leave first and use the additional leave within six months after birth. Your employer generally applies for the UWV benefit separately; your leave notification is not that application.
On this page
1. Check partner and employment conditions
This guidance concerns partners employed under the Dutch scheme. You have acknowledged the child, are married to or the registered partner of the mother, or live unmarried with her and share housing and household expenses only with her. Directors-major shareholders, domestic workers and certain personal-budget care agreements have separate conditions and application routes; check these with UWV.
2. Use your own weekly working hours
Ordinary birth leave equals your contractual weekly working hours, paid by your employer. Take it within four weeks of birth; your child’s hospital stay does not postpone that period. Tell your employer orally or in writing beforehand or as soon as possible after birth when you will take it. The employer may not refuse it. Existing parental leave does not reduce these contractual hours. Take ordinary leave before additional leave. You may then take one to five whole working weeks of additional leave, spread out if desired, within six months of birth. Use your own working hours; a multiple birth does not add weeks.
UWV · Voorwaarden aanvullend geboorteverlof ↗
Rijksoverheid · Verlof bij de werkgever aanvragen ↗
3. Give timely written notice
Notify the employer by letter or email at least four weeks before the intended start. If an unexpected event such as premature birth makes that impossible, notify as soon as possible. State the start date or triggering event, number of complete working weeks and proposed distribution. Keep the notice and request confirmation of receipt.
4. Record the schedule and any changes
Discuss the schedule with your employer. It can change the distribution up to two weeks beforehand only for a compelling business or service interest and after consultation. Ask for a concrete explanation and record revised arrangements. Keep the six-month limit in view whenever dates change; consultation or requesting help does not automatically extend it.
5. Check the separate UWV application
After birth, the employer normally applies to UWV through its portal or official form for the total number of weeks. Ask for confirmation that this separate application was submitted. If the employer cannot or will not apply, contact UWV. Keep the decision in Mijn UWV; UWV states a four-week decision period after receiving a complete application.
6. Review income, decision and further help
UWV calculates the benefit using seventy per cent of the assessed daily wage, with that daily wage limited to the statutory maximum; this is not automatically your full salary. Check the calculation and any employer supplement in your collective agreement or arrangements. Do not confuse additional birth leave with paid parental leave. Use local preparation and our own help-request route for refusal, unclear income or an approaching deadline.
Draft notification of additional birth leave
Complete all brackets, check partner eligibility and hours, and delete inapplicable wording. Send it yourself at least four weeks beforehand, or as soon as possible for an unforeseen exception. This notifies the employer; it is not a UWV application.
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Do I apply directly to UWV for leave?
As an ordinary employee, notify your employer about leave; the employer normally applies separately for the UWV benefit. If it cannot or will not, call UWV. Special employment situations have other routes. Your leave email is not automatically a benefit application.
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Partner basis and employment contract
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- Partner basis and employment contract
- Weekly working hours and birth date
- Ordinary birth leave already taken or planned
- Whole additional weeks, distribution and six-month limit
- Written notification and employer arrangements
- UWV application, decision and income calculation
Contact with a lawyer
You can use the chat and information without a phone number. A contact request requires a phone number, a verified email address and your wish for telephone contact. Our team assesses which partner fits your question. Data is shared only under the stated consent procedure. A partner or engagement is not guaranteed.
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UWV · Voorwaarden aanvullend geboorteverlof ↗Rijksoverheid · Verlof bij de werkgever aanvragen ↗UWV · Uitkering aanvragen ↗UWV · Hoogte uitkering ↗UWV · Dagloon en maximumdagloon ↗Rijksoverheid · Gewoon geboorteverlof melden en opnemen ↗Rijksoverheid · Arbeidsduur en loon geboorteweek ↗Sources may be in Dutch. General information about Dutch law, not individual legal advice.