How do I arrange adoption or foster-care leave and benefit?
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Detailed explanation, checklist and sources
Dutch employees may take up to six weeks of adoption or foster-care leave. Request leave from your employer at least three weeks ahead; the separate UWV benefit application is made four to two weeks before the start. First check insurance status and documents.
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1. Who qualifies?
This concerns Dutch leave and UWV. Employees insured under the Ziektewet and recipients of WW, Ziektewet or wage-related WGA may qualify. Voluntary sickness insurance or placement within ten weeks after employment/WW/ZW ends may also matter. Self-employment does not automatically qualify; pgb contracts need separate checking. Emergency foster placements are excluded.
2. When can I take leave?
Take up to six weeks within the window from four weeks before to 22 weeks after the child arrives: 26 weeks altogether. Employees may spread leave; benefit recipients take six consecutive weeks. Both employed parents may qualify separately and need not take leave together. Several children arriving simultaneously do not increase leave.
3. How do I request leave?
Notify your preferred schedule at least three weeks before starting. The employer may refuse spreading only for serious business difficulties. Record dates, hours and response. Holiday entitlement continues; the employer cannot require holidays as compensation. Illness during this leave does not stop it.
4. Who applies to UWV?
The employer applies four to two weeks ahead through Verzuimmelder/Digipoort or the WAZO form. Without an employer: WW applicants use Mijn UWV; ZW, wage-related WGA and voluntary ZW applicants contact UWV for a form. For pgb, the budget holder/SVB can apply. Submit or forward adoption/fostering evidence as instructed.
5. How much is paid?
Employees generally receive 100% of UWV daily wage, capped at maximum daily wage, not guaranteed full net salary. For WW/ZW/wage-related WGA, payment follows the other benefit's amount. There is no separate statutory salary entitlement during leave. Check collective top-ups, payment date and recipient.
6. What should I check afterwards?
Keep placement and BRP evidence; for adoption, an accepted immigration/residence registration may accompany placement proof instead. Follow UWV's exact document list. UWV normally decides within four weeks of a complete application. Check the decision and objection instructions. Benefit continues if employment ends during leave; arrange any subsequent benefit separately.
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Is adoption leave the same as parental leave?
No. Adoption/foster-care leave is a separate scheme around the child's arrival. Parental leave has its own hours, age limits and conditions; do not deduct one from the other without checking.
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Rijksoverheid — regelen ↗Rijksoverheid — duur ↗Rijksoverheid — uitkering ↗UWV — voorwaarden ↗UWV — aanvragen ↗UWV — hoogte ↗UWV — dagloon ↗Sources may be in Dutch. General information about Dutch law, not individual legal advice.