After the birth, both full-time and part-time employees are entitled to at least 10 days of birth leave. This used to be called paternity leave.
Duration, form and conditions
From 1 January 2021, as a father or partner of the mother after the birth of the child, you are entitled to 15 days of birth leave.
You can take the 15 days within 4 months after the birth. You are not obliged to take the 15 days.
You do not have to take the 15 days all at once. You can choose to spread them over a period of 4 months from the date of delivery.
The day of the birth counts as the first day of that four-month period.
As of 1 January 2023, birth leave will be increased to 20 days.
Applying for childbirth leave
You must apply to your employer for childbirth leave. Please notify the KU Leuven Personnel Department first. If your name is on the birth certificate as father or co-mother, the birth certificate is sufficient to apply for your birth leave.
Wage and allowance
During the first 3 days, your wages are paid by your employer. The remaining 12 days you will receive an allowance from the health insurance fund. This benefit amounts to 82% of your limited gross salary. This applies to the new scheme from January 2021.
Birth leave also applies to the self-employed!