Maternity and equivalent paternity benefits in cash : reference year 2017.
Date: 2019-11-30
Institutions: Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion
Subjects: EU Member State, maternity benefit, maternity leave, paternity leave, social security, social security legislation, social-security benefit, social-security contribution, social-security harmonisation

Maternity and equivalent 
paternity benefits in cash 

Reference year 2017 

Frederic De Wispelaere, Lynn De Smedt & Jozef Pacolet – HIVA-KU Leuven 
November 2018 

Social 
Europe 

EUROPEAN COMMISSION 

Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion 
Directorate D — Labour Mobility 
Unit D2 – Social security coordination 
E-mail:  EMPL-D2-UNIT@ec.europa.eu

European Commission 
B-1049 Brussels

EUROPEAN COMMISSION 

Maternity and equivalent 
paternity benefits in cash 

Reference year 2017 

Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion 
Network Statistics FMSSFE (Contract No VC/2017/0463 ‘Network of Experts on intra-EU mobility – 
Lot 2: Compilation and analysis of EU-level and national data’) 

Network Statistics FMSSFE 

This report has been prepared in the framework of Contract No VC/2017/0463 ‘Network of Experts on intra-
EU mobility – social security coordination and free movement of workers / Lot 2: Statistics and compilation 
of national data’. This contract was awarded to Network Statistics FMSSFE, an independent research 
network composed of expert teams from HIVA (KU Leuven), Milieu Ltd, IRIS (UGent), ICON-INSTITUT Public 
Sector GmbH, Szeged University and Eftheia bvba. Network Statistics FMSSFE is coordinated by HIVA. 

Authors: 

Frederic De Wispelaere, Senior research associate, HIVA Research Institute for Work and Society, University 
of Leuven (KU Leuven). 
Lynn De Smedt, Junior research associate, HIVA Research Institute for Work and Society, University of 
Leuven (KU Leuven). 
Prof dr Jozef Pacolet, Emeritus with formal duties, HIVA - Research Institute for Work and Society, 
University of Leuven (KU Leuven). 

Peer reviewers: 

Prof dr József Hajdú, Head of the Department of Labour Law and Social Security, Szeged University. 
Dr Gabriella Berki, Assistant Professor at the Department of Labour Law and Social Security, Szeged 
University. 

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Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2019

ISBN: 978-92-79-99858-4
doi: 10.2767/629765

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Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged.  

Maternity and equivalent paternity benefits in cash 

Table of Contents 

List of Tables .................................................................................................... 6 

List of Figures ................................................................................................... 7 

Summary of the main findings ............................................................................ 8 

Introduction ...................................................................................................... 9 

1. 

2. 

3. 

General overview .................................................................................... 10 

Export of maternity and equivalent paternity benefits .................................. 13 

Share of export in total maternity and equivalent paternity benefits .............. 18 

Annex I Brief description of the reported benefits ................................................. 21 

Annex II Cross-country tables ............................................................................ 27 

Annex III questionnaire on maternity and equivalent paternity benefits in cash ........ 32 

5 

 
 
 
Maternity and equivalent paternity benefits in cash 

LIST OF TABLES 

Table 1 

Table 2 

Table 3 

Total number of persons who received a maternity or equivalent 
paternity benefit in cash paid by the competent Member State and total 
related expenditure (in €), 2017 

Number of persons who received maternity or equivalent paternity 
benefits in cash residing in a Member State other than the competent 
Member State and total related expenditure (in €), 2016 and 2017 

Share of total number of persons residing in a Member State other than 
the competent Member State in total number of persons who received 
maternity or equivalent paternity benefits in cash, 2017 

10 

15 

18 

6 

 
 
 
Maternity and equivalent paternity benefits in cash 

LIST OF FIGURES 

Figure 1 

Export of maternity and equivalent paternity benefits, by amount paid, 
breakdown by Member State of residence, 2017 

17 

7 

 
SUMMARY OF THE MAIN FINDINGS 

Parents residing in a Member State other than the Member State where they are insured 
(i.e. competent Member State) are entitled to maternity and equivalent paternity benefits 
in cash provided by the competent Member State (i.e. export of maternity and equivalent 
paternity allowances). As a general rule, these benefits are always paid according to the 
legislation of the competent Member State, regardless of the Member State of residence. 
Data relating to the export of maternity and equivalent paternity allowances was collected 
in  the  context  of  EU  legislation  on  social  security  coordination.  Although  the  overall 
response rate improved with respect to last year, the image presented in this summary is 
still incomplete. Therefore, some caution is advised when interpreting the data. 

Based on the available data, Luxembourg and Switzerland stand out when it comes to the 
export of maternity and paternity benefits. This is not a surprising observation since both 
Member  States  are  characterised  by  substantial  numbers  of  cross-border  workers.  The 
majority of these benefits for both Luxemburg and Switzerland are exported to France.  

For most reporting Member States the share of maternity and equivalent paternity benefits 
paid to persons by applying EU legislation on social security coordination is less than 0.5% 
of  total  spending  (Estonia,  Spain,  France,  Cyprus,  Hungary,  Malta,  Poland,  Portugal, 
Slovakia and Finland). For Denmark,  Ireland, the Netherlands and Norway, the  share in 
total  spending  lies  between  0.5%  and  1.5%.  Finally,  the  share  of  the  benefits  paid  to 
persons  residing  in  another  Member  State  than  the  competent  one  is  highest  in 
Luxembourg  (some  four  out  of  ten  maternity  benefits  are  exported),  Liechtenstein 
(11.0%), Switzerland (6.5%), Austria (2.4%) and Belgium (1.8%). The weighted average 
share for the reporting Member States is 0.7% for the total number of persons and 1.1% 
for total expenditure.  

As it is now the second time this data is collected, a comparison between reference year 
2016 and 2017 was possible. In general, it is clear that the total number of persons who 
received  maternity  and  equivalent  paternity  benefits,  the  total  expenditure,  and  the 
average annual amount per person remained rather stable.  

8 

 
 
 
 
 
INTRODUCTION 

This report provides data collected for reference year 2017 on the number of persons who 
received  maternity  and  paternity  benefits  in  cash  and  reside  or  stay  in  a  Member  State 
other than the competent Member State. Maternity and equivalent paternity benefits can 
also be in kind. However, the data related to benefits in kind are not collected. 

The report has been compiled based on the data submitted by Member States, although it 
is not clear whether all the benefits mentioned therein fall under the scope of maternity 
and equivalent paternity benefits.1  

The coordination of maternity and equivalent paternity benefits follows the same rules as 
those  which  apply  to  sickness  benefits  (and,  for  instance,  not  the  provisions  on  family 
benefits). Consequently, cash benefits are provided in accordance with the legislation of 
the competent Member State and at its expense, regardless of where the person is living 
or staying. An example would be the maternity allowance paid during maternity leave in 
the period immediately preceding and following childbirth.  

In section 1, data is provided for all persons who received maternity or equivalent paternity 
benefits in cash paid by the competent Member State (residents + non-residents). Section 
2 provides and discusses the figures on the number of persons who received maternity or 
equivalent  paternity  benefits  in  cash  and  reside  in  a  Member  State  other  than  the 
competent Member State under Regulation (EC) No 883/2004. In the same section, the 
evolution from 2016 to 2017 is analysed. Finally, the share of maternity and equivalent 
paternity  benefits  paid  to  persons  under  Regulation  (EC)  No  883/2004  is  discussed  in 
section 3. 

Out of the 32 Member States, 28 have reported on the total number of persons receiving 
maternity and paternity benefits as well as on the total expenditure with these benefits. 
However, only 19 of these Member States also provided more detailed information relating 
to  the  maternity  and  equivalent  paternity  benefits  granted  under  Regulation  (EC)  No 
883/2004 and a breakdown of this data by receiving Member State.2  

1 See recital 19 of Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 according to which maternity and equivalent paternity benefits 
are paid “during the first months of a new-born child's life”. 
2 Romania does not centralize this type of information for maternity and equivalent paternity benefits. 

9 

 
 
 
 
                                           
1.  GENERAL OVERVIEW 

A  brief  description  of  the  maternity  and  equivalent  paternity  benefits  reported  by  the 
Member  States  can  be  found  in  Annex  I  of  this  report.  This  might  be  an  incomplete 
overview. Therefore, it is worth noting that MISSOC (the EU's Mutual Information System 
on  Social  Protection)  provides  complete  and  more  detailed  information  on  the  different 
types  of  maternity  and  paternity  benefits  applicable  in  Member  States  as  well  as  their 
characteristics.  The  maternity  and  equivalent  paternity  benefits  show  considerable 
differences  in  terms  of  eligibility  criteria,  design  and  level  of  benefits.  As  a  result,  the 
average  annual  spending  per  person  who  received  a  maternity  or  equivalent  paternity 
benefit  will  vary  markedly  between  Member  States.  These  are  the  amounts  that  will  be 
paid to beneficiaries regardless of the cost of living in the Member State of residence.  

Table  1  presents  the  total  number  of  persons  who  received  a  maternity  or  equivalent 
paternity benefit as well as the total related expenditure for each of the reporting Member 
States. These total numbers are used as a nominator to determine the relative impact of 
the coordination rules in a later section of this report (see section 3). Figures from OECD 
(the  Organisation  for  Economic  Co-operation  and  Development)  and  ESSPROS  (the 
European  system  of  integrated  social  protection  statistics)  could  also  be  consulted  for 
additional  information  on  the  maternity  and  paternity  benefits  expenditures.  However, 
recent data is not always available and detailed spending by type of benefit is not always 
provided by both sources. 

In most Member States, the average annual spending per person who received a maternity 
benefit  is  higher  in  comparison  with  equivalent  paternity  benefits  or  other  similar 
allowances.  Furthermore,  high  levels  of  spending  per  person  (higher  than  € 8,000)  are 
observed  in  Denmark,  Luxembourg,  the  Netherlands,  Liechtenstein,  Norway  and 
Switzerland. Similar average amounts per person should also be exportable abroad. This 
will become clear in section 2 of the report. 

Table 1 

Total number of persons who received a maternity or equivalent paternity benefit in 
cash paid by the competent Member State and total related expenditure (in €), 2017 

Total number of 
persons (A) 

Total expenditure  
(in €) (B) 

Average annual 
amount per person 
(in €) (B/A) 

Maternity allowance 
Replacement income for father or co-parent  
Adoption allowance 
Replacement income granted in case of measure of work 
removal due to working conditions for pregnancy 
Replacement income granted in case of measure of work 
removal due to working conditions for breastfeeding 

Belgium 

94,382 
55,295 
166 

24,979 

16,797 

Pregnancy and childbirth benefit  
Paternity childbirth or adoption benefit 
Paternity benefit 
Child-raising benefit 

Maternity benefit in cash 
Compensatory benefit in pregnancy and maternity 

Bulgaria 

88,057 
21,336 
394 
76,881 

Czech Republic 

582,838 
1,934 

Denmark 

441,598,083 
38,045,968 
403,177 

122,245,660 

45,933,149 

188,329,024 
4,778,108 
848,989 
74,984,456 

337,339,581 
327,504 

Maternity and paternity leave (and a corresponding right 
for adopting parents) 

161,374 

1,385,190,820 

Germany 

Maternity benefit (Mutterschaftsgeld) 

470,668 

699,000,000 

Maternity benefit 
Adoption benefit 

Maternity benefit 

Estonia 

10,509 
22 

Ireland 

49,149,131 
92,916 

45,331 

244,710,779 

4,679 
688 
2,429 

4,894 

2,735 

2,139 
224 
2,155 
975 

579 
169 

8,584 

1,485 

4,677 
4,223 

5,398 

10 

 
 
 
2,386,300,000 

3,614 

Total number of 
persons (A) 

Total expenditure  
(in €) (B) 

Paternity benefit 
Adoptive benefit 
Health and Safety benefit 

Maternity benefit 
Paternity benefit 

Maternity benefit 
Paternity benefit 

Maternity/paternity benefit for employed/self-employed  
Parental benefit for employed/self-employed 
Special leave or part time work for parents whose child 
has severe difficulties in development due to health 
reasons 
Maternity/paternity benefit for non-active persons 
Adoption leave 

Maternity/paternity benefit (congedo di 
maternità/paternità) 
Optional supplementary parental leave (Congedo 
parentale facoltativo) 
Paternity leave (congedo di paternità) 
Optional paternity leave 
State maternity allowance 

26,559 
39 
251 

Greece 

Spain* 

268,677 
265,828 

France 

538,617 
312,343 

Croatia 

65,695 
45,894 

9,619 

41,658 
149 

Italy 

336,935 

323,277 

107,369 
861 
708 

Maternity benefit 
Paternity benefit** 
Maternity grant 

Maternity benefit 
Paternity benefit 

Maternity benefit 
Paternity benefit 
Childcare benefit 

Maternity benefit  
Exemption from work for pregnant and breastfeeding 
women 

Infant care allowance  

Maternity benefit 
Maternity leave benefit 

Cyprus 

6,146 
1,235 
7,873 

Latvia 

17,948 
10,968 

Lithuania 

23,650 
16,002 
43,871 

Luxembourg 

8,585 

3,298 

Hungary 

Malta 

1,780 
1,914 
The Netherlands 

Wet Arbeid en Zorg (Work and Care Act)  
Regeling Zelfstandige en Zwangere (ZEZ) (Regulation for 
the self-employed and pregnant) 

Wochengeld  
Familienzeitbonus für Väter (Family time bonus for 
fathers) 

130,225 

10,426 

Austria 

81,278 

3,760 

Poland 

11,980,193 
281,436 
478,812 

1,520,948,930 
402,110,576 

2,622,828,140 
207,751,454 

112,116,908 
71,145,905 

29,906,124 

54,673,168 
430,876 

21,100,000 

1,400,000 

22,040,691 
621,604 
4,405,207 

45,527,755 
3,242,639 

70,371,500 
14,173,000 
207,150,100 

98,500,000 

26,300,000 

2,176,871 
1,281,008 

1,074,000,000 

59,000,000 

475,120,168 

2,454,789 

79,019 

178,083,378 

Maternity allowance (paid by Social Insurance Institution 
ZUS) 
Maternity or equivalent paternity benefit (paid by 
Agricultural Social Insurance Fund KRUS) 

707,840 

1,872,278,640 

34,062 

49,567,333 

Initial parental allowance 
Extended parental allowance 
Allowance for adoption 
Extended allowance for adoption 

Portugal 

156,429 
8,992 
283 
12 

297,202,641 
5,712,775 
977,448 
9,453 

Average annual 
amount per person 
(in €) (B/A) 
451 
7,216 
1,908 

5,661 
1,513 

4,870 
665 

1,707 
1,550 

3,109 

1,312 
2,892 

195 

1,977 

3,586 
503 
560 

2,537 
296 

2,976 
886 
4,722 

11,474 

7,975 

2,254 

1,223 
669 

8,247 

5,659 

5,846 

653 

2,645 

1,455 

1,900 
635 
3,454 
788 

11 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allowance for clinical risk during pregnancy 
Allowance for termination of pregnancy 
Specific risks allowance 

Maternity benefits  
Paternity benefits 

Maternity allowance 
Paternity allowance 
Parental allowance 
Total 

Parental benefit  

Total number of 
persons (A) 

Total expenditure  
(in €) (B) 

61,732 
6,139 
316 

Romania 

Slovenia 

Slovakia 

62,009 
6,553 

Finland*** 

61,296 
60,606 
74,793 
149,092 

Sweden 

157,347,860 
4,996,890 
1,236,625 

176,631,853 
22,442,642 

353,388,758 
108,626,027 
471,019,747 
934,434,880 

853,338 

3,024,745,033 

United Kingdom 

Iceland 

Parental benefits to parents who are active in the labour 
market 
Maternity/paternity Grants  

Maternity daily benefit  

Parental benefit  

Allocation en cas de maternité dans le cadre des 
allocations pour pertes de gains (APG) (Maternity 
allowance) 

10,775 

1,094 

Liechtenstein 
297 

Norway 

73,928,058 

3,953,655 

2,928,252 

140,111 

1,903,705,985 

13,587 

Switzerland 

81,310 

684,194,000 

8,415 

Average annual 
amount per person 
(in €) (B/A) 
2,549 
814 
3,913 

2,848 
3,425 

5,765 
1,792 
6,298 
6,268 

3,545 

6,861 

3,614 

9,859 

*  ES: this data does not include special regimes for civil and military officials. The total number of military officers 
who received the benefit is 4,390, of whom nine received the exported benefit. Data for civil servant cannot 
be provided.  

** CY: The numbers for the paternity benefit only apply to the last 5 months of 2017, as this benefit was only 

introduced on 1 August 2017.  

*** FI: the total expenditure consists of all allowances, including the special maternity allowance amounting to 
€ 1,400,348. The total number of persons is lower than the sum of the three allowances, as one person can 
receive multiple allowances.  

Source Questionnaire on maternity and equivalent paternity benefits in cash 2018 

12 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2.  EXPORT OF MATERNITY AND EQUIVALENT PATERNITY 

BENEFITS  

In this section data relating to the export of maternity and the equivalent paternity benefits 
by applying the coordination rules are reported. However, it is necessary to indicate that 
the image presented is incomplete due to missing data from almost half of the Member 
States. This is not without consequence for the overall conclusions.  

Total numbers and amounts are reported in Table 2 while more detailed data by Member 
State of residence are provided by Tables A2.1 and A2.2 in Annex II as well as by Figure 1. 
Figure 1 also shows the importance of proximity when exporting maternity and equivalent 
paternity benefits, as most Member States export these benefits to neighbouring Member 
States.  

Based on the available data, two Member States stand out when it comes to the export of 
maternity and paternity benefits: Luxembourg and Switzerland.  This is not a surprising 
observation since both of these Member States are characterised by substantial numbers 
of cross-border workers.  

Out of these two Member States, Luxembourg is the Member State with the most persons 
who reside abroad and receive maternity or equivalent paternity benefits (5,253 persons). 
Luxembourg exported over € 52 million on these benefits during the 2017 reference period. 
The most important receiving Member States are its neighbouring Member States. Half of 
the total expenditure on maternity leave by applying Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 goes 
to  beneficiaries  residing  in France  (52%).  As  a  receiving  Member  State,  Belgium  (25%) 
and  Germany  (23%),  both  take  in  about  a  quarter  of  Luxembourg’s  total  expenditure. 
Compared to 2016, both the number of persons who reside in another Member State than 
Luxembourg and received a maternity benefit from Luxembourg (-11%) and total related 
expenditure (-22%) have decreased. 

Switzerland  only  has  slightly  less  persons  residing  abroad  and  receiving  maternity  or 
equivalent  paternity  benefits  compared  to  Luxembourg  (5,100  persons).  In  total,  it 
exported  over  € 44  million  benefits  abroad.  The  majority  of  these  benefits  (APG)  are 
exported  to  France  (66%  of  the  total  expenditure).  Germany  (16%)  and  Italy  (16%) 
consist  of  a  smaller  share  in  the  total  expenditure.  For  Switzerland,  the  number  of 
maternity benefits exported abroad increased by 5% compared to 2016. Nonetheless, the 
amount paid to households that reside abroad decreased by 18%.  

In comparison with Luxembourg and Switzerland, all other Member States’ figures follow 
by a distance. Belgium, Austria, Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands can be regarded 
as runner-ups, as they each exported over € 10 million maternity and equivalent paternity 
benefits to more than 1,300 persons residing abroad. 

Belgium exported almost € 12 million of maternity and equivalent paternity benefits, with 
maternity allowance (€ 5.9 million) and replacement income granted in case of pregnancy 
(€ 3.9 million) being the largest components. Almost all of these benefits are exported to 
its  neighbouring  Member  States,  in  particular  France  (64%  to  100%,  depending  on  the 
kind of benefit), and to a lesser extent the Netherlands (7% to 24%). 

Some 2,000 persons enjoy a maternity allowance (Wochengeld) under Regulation (EC) No 
883/2004  paid  by  Austria,  while  almost  30  persons  received  a  family  time  bonus  for 
fathers. Again, proximity plays an important role, as its neighbouring Member States are 
the  ones  to  which  most  maternity  and  paternity  benefits  are  exported  (for  maternity 
allowance: Germany: 28%, Slovakia: 26%, Hungary: 22%, and for paternity allowance: 
Germany: 65%, and by a lesser degree Slovakia: 11%).  

Denmark paid a total amount of € 18 million to 2,401 persons or a total average annual 
amount  per  beneficiary  of  € 7,525.  Finally,  both  Norway  and  the  Netherlands  are  close 

13 

 
 
runner-ups to the four leading Member States as their exported amounts of maternity and 
equivalent paternity benefits are € 14.6 million and € 10.5 million respectively.  

In contrast to the above-mentioned Member States, there are Member States that export 
hardly  any  maternity  or  equivalent  paternity  benefit.  These  Member  States  are  Estonia, 
Spain,  Cyprus,  Hungary,  Malta,  Poland,  Portugal,  Slovakia  and  Liechtenstein.  Ireland, 
Finland and France belong to an ‘in-between category’.   

However, it is important to keep in mind that the absolute figures regarding the export of 
benefits, do not say anything about the relative share in total spending by Member States. 
These figures will be discussed in section 3.  

For sixteen Member States, a comparison between the data from reference year 2016 and 
2017  was  possible.  Both  the  number  of  persons,  the  total  expenditure  and  the  average 
annual amount per person remained relatively stable for the majority of Member States 3. 
For France, a strong evolution was noticed as it knew an increase in exporting maternity 
leave (84% increase in number of persons and 44% increase in total expenditure), whereas 
the export of paternity leave remained rather stable (an 11% decrease of persons and a 
1% reduction of expenditure). However, as no particular reason for this increase can be 
identified, it might be the case that there was simply more information available regarding 
maternity and equivalent paternity benefits.  

The Member States that knew the most remarkable changes are Belgium, Ireland, Poland 
and  Slovakia.  For  Belgium,  the  export  of  the  adoption  allowance  knew  a  considerable 
increase  in  both  number  of  persons  (300%)  and  total  expenditure  (2,874%).  However, 
this change concerns a growth from one person to four persons and is therefore not very 
meaningful. Furthermore, the same applies to Poland and Slovakia, neither of which are 
big  exporters  of  maternity  or  equivalent  paternity  benefits.  For  instance,  the  number  of 
persons rose by 200% for Poland, but is actually only a one-person change, going from 
two to three persons to whom a benefit was exported. Therefore, the evolutions of Belgium, 
Poland and Slovakia are not very meaningful. Ireland, however, does  show a significant 
evolution.  All  three  types  of  benefits  for  which  there  was  data  available,  show  a  large 
increase in number of  persons and expenditure.  In total, for the  sixteen Member States 
which  reported  data  in  both  years,  the  number  of  persons  increased  while  the  total 
expenditure decreased, albeit both very slightly.  

However, concerning the evolution from 2016 to 2017, it is important to acknowledge that 
this is only the second time this data is collected. It is possible that the data from the first 
year was  still unstable, causing the comparison with 2017 to be inaccurate as well. The 
data collection itself still has to mature, for instance by being confronted with problems 
such  as  the  proper  understanding  of  the  definitions  and  missing information.  Therefore, 
some of the remarkable evolutions discussed above might flatten out in the future, as the 
data becomes more reliable as data from multiple years can be compared.   

3 This is the case for Denmark, Estonia, Cyprus, Austria, Portugal, Finland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.  
14 

 
 
 
 
                                           
Table 2 

Number  of  persons  who  received  maternity  or  equivalent  paternity  benefits  in  cash 
residing  in  a  Member  State  other  than  the  competent  Member  State  and  total  related 
expenditure (in €), 2016 and 2017 

Total number of persons 

Total expenditure (in €) 

2017 

2016 

Evolution 

2016 

Evolution 

Average annual amount per 
person 
2016 

Evolution 

2017 

1,210 

1,260 

4 

723 

716 

1 

67% 

76% 

870,895 

494,822 

691 

300% 

6,543 

220 

2,874% 

1,636 

3,313,320 

4,860 

4,583 

77% 

76% 

6% 

0% 

644% 

691 

220 

2017 
Belgium 
5,880,910 

579 

406 

43% 

3,904,642 

2,696,902 

45% 

6,744 

6,643 

2% 

410 

336 

22% 

1,311,092 

1,065,431 

23% 

3,198 

3,171 

1% 

Bulgaria 

Czech Republic 

Denmark 

2,401 

2,573 

-7% 

18,068,300 

18,551,463 

-3% 

7,525 

7,210 

4% 

Maternity allowance 

Paternity/birth allowance 

Adoption allowance 
Replacement income granted 
in case of measure of work 
removal due to working 
conditions for pregnancy 
Replacement income granted 
in case of measure of work 
removal due to working 
conditions for breastfeeding 

Maternity and paternity 
leave (and a corresponding 
right for adopting parents) 

Maternity benefit 

11 

10 

10% 

0 

3 

0 

Maternity Benefit 

Paternity Benefit 

Adoptive Benefit 

Maternity benefit 
Paternity benefit 

Maternity benefit 

Paternity benefit 

445 

122 

1 

15 
16 

518 

174 

281 

195 

84% 

-11% 

Maternity allowance 
Maternity grant  

4 
2 

5 
3 

-20% 
-33% 

Maternity leave 
Exemption from work for 
pregnant and breastfeeding 
women 

3,801 

4,277 

-11% 

1,452 

Infant care allowance 

74 

Germany 

Estonia 
47,415 
Ireland 
2,110,569 

50,463 

-6% 

4,310 

5,046 

-15% 

0 

4,743 

3,967% 

55,250 

1,380 

3,904% 

453 

460 

-2% 

5,595 
Greece 

Spain 
122,289 
34,247 
France 
1,659,488 

118,877 
Croatia 

Italy 

Cyprus 
15,986 
2,176 
Latvia 

Lithuania 

Luxembourg 
41,088,016 

11,738,783 

Hungary 
160,437 
Malta 

0 

5,595 

8,153 
2,140 

1,154,979 

119,518 

44% 

-1% 

3,204 

4,110 

683 

613 

-22% 

11% 

27,476 
2,176 

-42% 
0% 

3,997 
1,088 

5,495 
725 

-27% 
50% 

52,850,000 

-22% 

10,813 

12,357 

-12% 

8,085 

2,168 

Maternity benefit 

2 

2,477 

1,239 

The Netherlands 

15 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total number of persons 

Total expenditure (in €) 

2017 

2016 

Evolution 

2017 

2016 

Evolution 

Average annual amount per 
person 
2016 

Evolution 

2017 

Wet Arbeid en Zorg (Work 
and Care Act) 

1,574 

Wochengeld 

2,081 

2,009 

4% 

Family time bonus for fathers 

26 

10,532,707 

Austria 
11,577,593 

16,950 
Poland 

6,692 

10,674,031 

8% 

5,563 

5,313 

5% 

652 

Maternity or equivalent 
paternity benefit (paid by 
ZUS) 

3 

1 

200% 

21,835 

1,151 

1,797% 

7,278 

1,151 

532% 

Initial parental allowance 

170 

172 

Extended parental allowance 

10 

Allowance for adoption 
Extended allowance for 
adoption 
Allowance for clinical risk 
during pregnancy 
Allowance for termination of 
pregnancy 
Specific risks allowance 

1 

0 

43 

5 

1 

14 

1 

37 

4 

Maternity benefits  

Paternity benefits 

Maternity allowance 

Paternity allowance 

Parental allowance 

35 

3 

190 

211 

341 

57 

2 

224 

266 

343 

-39% 

50% 

-15% 

-21% 

-1% 

-1% 

-29% 

0% 

Portugal 
490,654 

12,272 

13,432 

0 

465,032 

13,202 

11,851 

6% 

-7% 

13% 

2,886 

2,704 

1,227 

943 

13,432 

11,851 

7% 

30% 

13% 

16% 

103,093 

123,636 

-17% 

2,398 

3,342 

-28% 

25% 

2,504 

6,078 

-59% 

501 

1,520 

-67% 

2,527 

-34% 

238% 

-17% 

-36% 

5% 

2,631 

2,459 

7% 

5,073 

2,251 

125% 

5,974 

6,135 

1,876 

2,314 

6,804 

6,438 

-3% 

-19% 

6% 

2,527 
Romania 

Slovenia 

Slovakia 
92,088 

15,220 
Finland 
1,135,019 

140,152 

4,501 

1,374,294 

395,758 

615,594 

2,320,026 
Sweden 

2,208,181 

United Kingdom 

Iceland 

Liechtenstein 

Maternity or equivalent 
paternity benefit 

34 

83 

-59% 

321,969 

917,879 

-65% 

9,470 

11,059 

-14% 

Parental benefit  

1,311 

1,589 

-17% 

Norway 
14,556,682 
Switzerland 

15,595,629 

-7% 

11,103 

9,815 

13% 

Allocation en cas de 
maternité dans le cadre des 
allocations pour pertes de 
gains (APG) 

5,100 

4,850 

5% 

44,364,000 

54,066,000 

-18% 

8,699 

11,148 

-22% 

23,638* 

Total 

173,175,838 

* Some persons are counted more than once (i.e. risk of double counting) 
Source Questionnaire on maternity and equivalent paternity benefits in cash 2017 and 2018 

16 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 1 

Export  of  maternity  and  equivalent  paternity  benefits,  by  amount  paid,  breakdown  by 
Member State of residence, 2017 

100%

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

Other 
9%

CH 5%

LU 5%

ES 7%

DE
8%

BE
65%

Other 
13%

Other 
10%

Other 
9%

26%

Other 
23%

NL
24%

FR
64%

SE
32%

DE
10%

DK
47%

PT
33%

NL
10%

FR
21%

DE
7%

BE
19%

SE
9%

FI
16%

LV
18%

UK
54%

BE
32%

PL
13%

ES 11%

Other 
3%

Other 
10%

Other 
3%

PL 10%

Other 
9%

CH 7%

Other 
8%

SK
7%

NL
18%

BE
75%

UK
7%

FR
12%

ES
33%

DE
27%

RO
9%

AT
14%

HU
20%

CZ
42%

BE
7%

SK

Other 
25%

UK
7%

SE
26%

ES 6%

EE
10%

DE
14%

DK 5%

BE
7%

FI

CH 63%

AT
37%

LI

FR
52%

DE
23%

BE
25%

LT
82%

EL
15%

SK
26%

SI
9%

HU
22%

DE
28%

CZ
6%

AT

DE
35%

BE
52%

NL

SK
72%

RO
11%

PL
7%

HU

BE

DK

EE

IE

ES

FR

CY

LU

PL

PT

* Denmark has provided a breakdown by nationality, not Member State of residence.  
Source Questionnaire on maternity and equivalent paternity benefits in cash 2018 

17 

 
 
 
 
 
3.  SHARE OF EXPORT IN TOTAL MATERNITY AND EQUIVALENT 

PATERNITY BENEFITS 

For most reporting Member States the share of maternity and equivalent paternity benefits 
paid to persons under Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 is less than 0.5% of total spending 
(Estonia, Spain, France, Cyprus, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia and Finland) 
(Table 3).  

For  Denmark,  Ireland,  the  Netherlands  and  Norway,  the  share  in  total  spending  lies 
between 0.5% and 1.5%.   

The  share  of  the  benefits  paid  to  persons  residing  in  another  Member  State  than  the 
competent one is the highest in Luxembourg (some four out of ten maternity benefits are 
exported), Liechtenstein (11%), Switzerland (6.5%), Austria (2.4%) and Belgium (1.8%). 
This is due to the fact that they employ a large number of cross-border workers.  

For the nineteen reporting Member States, the unweighted average for the share of total 
number of persons is 3%. Furthermore, the share of total expenditure is also 3%. However, 
it is clear that these averages are highly inflated by the shares of Luxembourg and to a 
lesser extent by the shares of Liechtenstein and Switzerland.  

In total for these nineteen Member States that could report data on both the total amount 
of maternity and equivalent paternity benefits and the coordination regarding the export 
of  these  benefits,  some  3.6  million  persons  receive  maternity  and  equivalent  paternity 
benefits,  amounting  to  an  expenditure  of  € 15  billion.  The  export  of  these  benefits  only 
involves some 23,600 people4, with a total expenditure of € 173 million. As a result, the 
weighted average shows that only 0.7% of the number of people who receive maternity 
and  equivalent  paternity  benefits  are  involved  in  the  export  of  these  benefits.  The  total 
share of the benefits paid to persons residing in another Member State than the competent 
amounts to 1.1%.  

Table 3 

Benefit 

Share of total number of persons residing in a Member State other than the competent 
Member State in total number of persons who received maternity or equivalent 
paternity benefits in cash, 2017 

Total number of persons 

Total expenditure (in €) 

Belgium 

Maternity allowance 
Paternity/birth allowance 
Adoption allowance 
Replacement income granted in case of measure of 
work removal due to working conditions for pregnancy 
Replacement income granted in case of measure of 
work removal due to working conditions for 
breastfeeding 
Total  

Maternity and paternity leave (and a corresponding 
right for adopting parents) 

Maternity benefit 

Bulgaria 

Czech Republic 

Denmark 

Germany 

Estonia 

Ireland 

1.3% 
2.3% 
2.4% 

2.3% 

2.4% 

1.5% 

0.1% 

1.3% 
2.3% 
1.6% 

3.2% 

2.9% 

1.8% 

1.3% 

0.1% 

4 Some persons might be counted more than once.  

18 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                           
Benefit 
Maternity Benefit 
Paternity Benefit 
Adoptive Benefit 
Total 

Maternity benefit 
Paternity benefit  
Total 

Maternity leave 
Paternity leave 
Total 

Maternity allowance 
Maternity grant 
Total 

Greece 

Spain 

France 

Croatia 

Italy 

Cyprus 

Latvia 

Lithuania 

Luxembourg 

Total number of persons 

Total expenditure (in €) 

1.0% 
0.5% 
2.6% 

0.01% 
0.01% 

0.1% 
0.1% 

0.1% 
0.0% 

44.3% 

44.0% 

0.1% 

0.0% 
0.0% 

1.2% 

2.6% 

0.7% 

0.0% 

0.1% 
0.1% 
0.4% 
0.0% 
0.1% 
0.1% 
0.3% 

0.1% 
0.0% 

0.9% 
0.5% 
2.0% 
0.8% 

0.01% 
0.01% 
0.01% 

0.1% 
0.1% 
0.1% 

0.1% 
0.0% 
0.1% 

41.7% 

44.6% 

42.3% 

0.1% 

0.0% 
0.0% 
0.0% 

1.0% 

2.4% 

0.7% 

2.4% 

0.0% 

0.2% 
0.2% 
1.4% 
0.0% 
0.1% 
0.1% 
0.2% 
0.1% 

0.1% 
0.1% 
0.1% 

19 

Maternity benefits 
Exemption from work for pregnant and breastfeeding 
women 
Total 

Infant care allowance  

Maternity benefit 
Maternity leave benefit  
Total 

Wet Arbeid en Zorg (Work and Care Act) 

Wochengeld (Maternity benefit) 
Familienzeitbonus für Väter (Family time bonus for 
fathers) 
Total 

Maternity or equivalent paternity benefit 

Initial parental allowance 
Extended parental allowance 
Allowance for adoption 
Extended allowance for adoption 
Allowance for clinical risk during pregnancy 
Allowance for termination of pregnancy 
Specific risk allowance  
Total 

Hungary 

Malta 

The Netherlands 

Austria 

Poland 

Portugal 

Romania 

Slovenia 

Slovakia 

Maternity benefits  
Paternity benefits 
Total 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Benefit 

Maternity allowance 
Paternity allowance 
Parental allowance 
Total 

Maternity or equivalent paternity benefit 

Parental benefit  

Allocation en cas de maternité dans le cadre des 
allocations pour pertes de gains (APG)  

Unweighted average 
Weighted average 

Total number of persons 

Total expenditure (in €) 

Finland 

0.3% 
0.3% 
0.5% 

Sweden 

United Kingdom 

Iceland 

Liechtenstein 

Norway 

Switzerland 

Total 

11.4% 

0.9% 

6.3% 

3.0% 
0.7% 

0.3% 
0.4% 
0.5% 
0.4% 

11.0% 

0.8% 

6.5% 

2.9% 
1.1% 

Source Questionnaire on maternity and equivalent paternity benefits in cash 2018 

20 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ANNEX I BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE REPORTED BENEFITS 
Benefit  

Brief description of the benefit 

Belgium 

Maternity allowance 
Replacement income for father or 
co-parent 
Adoption allowance 
Replacement income granted in 
case of measure of work removal 
due to working conditions for 
pregnancy 
Replacement income granted in 
case of measure of work removal 
due to working conditions for 
breastfeeding 

Pregnancy and childbirth benefit  

Paternity childbirth or adoption 
benefit 

Paternity benefit 

Child-raising benefit 

Maternity benefit in cash 

Compensatory benefit in pregnancy 
and maternity 

Maternity and paternity leave (and 
a corresponding right for adopting 
parents) 

Mutterschaftsgeld (maternity 
allowance) 

Bulgaria 

The  insured  for  sickness  and  maternity  mother  has  the  right  to  get  benefits  for 
pregnancy and birth for a period of 410 calendar days, 45 days of which before the 
birth. 
The  insured  for  sickness  and  paternity  father  has  the  right  to  get  benefits  for 
childbirth  or  adoption  of  a  child  to  5  years  of  age  in  the  amount  determined  for 
pregnancy and childbirth, up to 15 calendar days during the relevant leave. 
The insured for sickness and paternity father has the right to get benefits after the 
childbirth  at  the  amount  determined  for  pregnancy  and  birth  after  the  age  of  6 
months of the child for the remaining up to 410 calendar days during the relevant 
leave. 
After the expiry of the benefits for pregnancy and childbirth, during the additionally 
paid  leave  for  raising  a  child,  the  mother  is  paid  a  monthly  benefit.  Where  the 
additional paid leave for raising a child is used by the father, rather than the mother, 
he has been paid a monthly benefit. 

Czech Republic 

Benefit pertains to an employee (self-employed person) during the time of so-called 
maternity leave. Employee must acquire 270 days of insurance within last two years 
before the day of starting the benefit (=usually start of 6-8th week before expected 
day of delivery). Supporting period is 28 weeks (37 weeks for women who gave birth 
to two or more children). Benefit range is 70% of the daily basis  of assessment. In 
specified cases, it is provided to men. 
Benefit  is  provided  over  the  period  of  transfer  of  a  pregnant  employee  or  mother 
(until  the  end  of  the  ninth  month  after  childbirth)  to  a  different  work  for  reasons 
provided by law. The objective is to compensate for income drop due to the transfer. 
Supporting period continues over the period of transfer. Benefit range is determined 
as  the  difference  between  daily  basis  of  assessment  before  the  transfer  and  an 
average income achieved after this transfer. 

Denmark 

• 4 weeks before expected confinement 
• 14 weeks after confinement for the mother, and in this period 2 continuous weeks 
for the father 
• 32 weeks in all for the parents after the 14th week. This period can be split up or 
postponed, but must be taken before the 9th birthday of the child. If the mother 
and father return to part-time work, the leave can be extended proportionally. 

Germany 

Employees  who  are  members  of  a  statutory  health  insurance  receive  maternity 
allowance equal to the net monthly salary deducted in the last three calendar months 
prior  to  the  protection  period,  but  not  more  than  13  euros  per  calendar  day 
(maternity benefit pursuant to § 24i SGB V / § during maternity periods and the day 
of birth. 14 KVLG 1989). 
In  the  event  of  termination  of  employment  during  a  pregnancy  or  during  the 
protection period, the health insurance company also pays its member the grant for 
maternity benefit. The same applies if an employer cannot pay his allowance due to 

21 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Maternity benefit 

Adoption benefit 

Maternity Benefit 

Paternity Benefit 

Adoptive Benefit 

Health and Safety Benefit 

Maternity benefit 
Paternity benefit 

Maternity allowance 

Paternity allowance  

Maternity/paternity benefit for 
employed/self-employed  
Parental benefit for employed/self-
employed 
Special leave or part time work for 
parents whose child has severe 
difficulties in development due to 
health reasons 
Maternity/paternity benefit for 
non-active persons 
Adoptive leave 

Maternity/paternity benefit 
(congedo di maternità/paternità) 

Optional supplementary parental 
leave (Congedo parentale 
facoltativo) 

bankruptcy (grants for maternity benefits under Section 20 (3) Maternity Protection 
Act - MuSchG). 

Estonia 

Maternity  benefit  is  paid  by  the  Estonian  Health  Insurance  Fund  in  the  amount  of 
100%  from  your  previous  calendar  year  earnings  from  where  the  social  tax  has 
declared to been paid from. It is paid since the first day of exemption from work and 
you have the right to receive maternity benefit for 140 days.  
Adoption  benefit  is  paid  by  the  Estonian  Health  Insurance  Fund  in  the  amount  of 
100%  from  your  previous  calendar  year  earnings  from  where  the  social  tax  has 
declared to been paid from. It is paid since the first day of exemption from work and 
you have the right to receive adoption benefit for 70 days.  

Ireland 

Maternity  Benefit  is  a  social  security  payment  for  insured  employed  and  self-
employed pregnant women who qualify for maternity leave.  The payment is made 
for the 26-week period of statutory maternity leave. Additional leave/benefit may be 
granted in the event of a premature birth. 
Paternity Benefit is a social security payment for insured employed and insured self-
employed persons who qualify for paternity leave.  The payment is made for the 2-
week period of statutory paternity leave. 
Adoptive Benefit is a social security payment for adopting mothers and single males 
who adopt a child and who qualify for adoptive leave.  It is available to both insured 
employed and self-employed persons.  Adoptive Benefit is paid for the continuous 
period of 24 weeks statutory adoptive leave from the date of placement of the child. 
Health and Safety Benefit is a social security payment for insured employed women 
who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and who qualify for health and safety leave. 

Greece 

Spain 

France 

Maternity provided to the mother to compensate for her pre- and post-natal parental 
leave, the duration of which varies according to the number of children of the insured 
Maternity allowance for women at occupational risk during pregnancy The data take 
into account both types of compensation. 
Paternity allowance paid to the father to compensate for his post-natal parental leave 
(11 days). 

Croatia 

Paid to employed/self-employed because of childbirth, usually in duration of 6 
months. 

Paid to employed/self-employed parents after first 6 months of the age of a child.  

Paid to parents who are either not working, or are working part time, to be able to 
take care of a child with developmental issues.  

Paid to parents who are outside of the working market (unemployed, pensioners 
etc.). 
Paid to adoptive parents upon the adoption of a child. 

Italy 

Five-month compulsory  paid leave: one- to two-month  leave  prior to confinement 
and three- to four-month leave after delivery (depending on the duration chosen for 
the prenatal leave). Continued payment of wages by the employer on behalf of the 
National  Institute  for  Social  Security  (Istituto  Nazionale  della  previdenza  sociale, 
INPS). The amount of the wages paid is then deducted from the owed contributions. 
Maternity/paternity benefit (indennità di maternità/paternità): 80% of earnings for 
the compulsory period. No ceiling. 
After expiry of the compulsory leave, a reduced paid leave may be claimed by either 
the mother or the father for a six-month period altogether till the child reaches the 
age of three (or within three years after the child’s adoption). Besides the 6-month 

22 

 
 
 
 
 
 
leave, this benefit can be claimed for a further 5 months, at most, till the child is 12 
of  age,  but  the  relevant  cash  benefit  can  only  be  paid  upon  condition  that  the 
claimant parent’s salary does not exceed twice and a half times the minimum pension 
as established by law for the current year. Once the maternity leave has ended and 
within the 11 following months, as an alternative to the parental leave, vouchers are 
granted  in  order  to  purchase  baby-sitting  or  public  child-minders’  services  for  a 
maximum period of six months and up to an amount of  €600 per month. Payment 
during Optional supplementary parental leave (congedo parentale facoltativo): 30% 
if the child is under 3, unpaid if the child is 3-12 years old (with some exceptions). In 
the public sector, it is paid at 100% of previous earnings during the first 30 days of 
leave. No ceiling. 
One-day compulsory paid leave for the father (to be claimed within five months after 
the child’s birth) to be granted at the same time as the maternity paid leave, plus two 
days of paid leave if the mother agrees to transfer them from her maternity leave. 
Furthermore, the father may claim for a paid leave of up to three months after the 
child’s birth in case the mother does not claim for it, or if he has the sole charge of 
the child. Same benefits in case of adoption. 
A  State  assistance  benefit  provided  and  granted  directly  by  the  INPS,  in  case  of 
atypical employment or gaps which do not provide sufficient coverage 

Cyprus 

Paid to women who meet the social insurance contribution criteria and are expecting 
or  have  adopted  a  child.    From  1/8/2017,  it  can  be  paid  also  to  women  who  are 
expecting a child through a surrogate mother. It is paid for 18 weeks provided the 
woman does not receive any employment income. It may be extended in cases of 
multiple births and hospitalisation of the child after premature birth. 
It was introduced on 1 August 2017.  It is paid to fathers on birth or adoption of a 
child for 2 weeks during the first 16 weeks of the child's life, provided they meet the 
contribution criteria. 
It is paid on the birth of a child to the mother provided she or her husband meet the 
contribution criteria. It is a lump sum one off payment of 544 euro. 

Latvia 

Maternity  benefit  paid  before  and  after  childbirth,  can  be  requested  by  expectant 
mothers who: are employed and receive a salary, are self-employed or are spouses 
of a self-employed person and have voluntarily joined the social insurance. During the 
postnatal  period,  maternity  benefit  can  also  be  obtained  by  the  child’s  father  or 
another person who takes care of the newborn at home, but no later than until the 
child’s 70th day of life. This applies to cases where: 
•The child’s mother is unable to take care of the baby until the 42nd postnatal day 
due to sickness; 
•The child’s mother has refused to take care of the child;  
•The child’s mother has died during childbirth or before the 42nd postnatal day;  
•The child is a foundling. 
Paternity benefit can be requested by fathers who: are employed and receive a salary, 
are  self-employed  or  are  spouses  of  a  self-employed  person  and  have  voluntarily 
joined the social insurance. 
Paternity benefit can also be obtained by one of the parents due to the family care of 
an existing child under three years of adoption. 
Lithuania 

The maternity benefit for women, who gave birth after 30 weeks of pregnancy and 
later, is paid for 126 calendar days. In cases of complicated childbirth and if more than 
one child was born, the benefit is paid for additional 14 calendar days. The amount 
of a maternity benefit during a pregnancy and childbirth leave period shall make 100 
per cent of the beneficiary’s compensatory wage. 
Paternity benefits shall be paid for the duration of paternity leave. After the birth of 
a child, eligible employees are entitled to 30 consecutive calendar days of paternity 
leave. This leave can be granted at any time from the day the child is born until the 
child reaches three months of age (or from birth until the child reaches six months of 
age in cases of complicated childbirth or when two or more children are born). 
A childcare benefit shall be paid for the period of a childcare leave from the end of 
pregnancy and childbirth leave until the child is one or two years old. The amount of 
childcare benefit depends on chosen receipt duration of the benefit: if the insured 
person chooses to receive the benefit until the child turns 1 year old, the amount of 

23 

Paternity leave (congedo di 
paternità) 

State maternity allowance 

Maternity benefit 

Paternity benefit 

Maternity grant 

Maternity benefit 

Paternity benefit 

Maternity benefit 

Paternity benefit 

Childcare benefit 

 
 
the benefit is 100% of the beneficiary’s compensatory wage; if the person chooses to 
receive the benefit until the child turns 2  years old – the benefit until the child turns 
1 year old is 70 % and 40 % of the beneficiary’s compensatory wage until the child 
turns 2 years old.  

Luxembourg 

Indemnités pécuniaires de 
maternité proprement dites 
(Maternity benefits) 

Dispense de travail femmes 
enceintes et allaitantes (Exemption 
from work for pregnant and 
breastfeeding women) 

Maternity benefits in cash are paid for maternity leaf 8 weeks before birth and 8 to 
12 weeks after birth. 8 weeks after birth for women that do not breastfeed their baby 
and 12 weeks for those who breastfeed. In 2018, there will be 12 weeks after birth 
for all women, also for those who do not breastfeed. 
Payment of money for the pregnant women that cannot stay in their actual working 
position  in  a  period  preceding  the  start  of  maternity  leaf,  due  to  risks  for  their 
pregnancy  related  to  the  kind  of  job  they  have  and  for  which  women  reallocation 
inside their firm is technically and objectively not possible. 

Csecsemőgondozási díj (infant care 
allowance) 

Maternity benefit 

Maternity leave benefit  

Hungary 

Infant  care  allowance  is  primarily  for  the  mother,  for  the  father  (or  other  person) 
exceptionally. Infant care allowance is an employment-based benefit, which requires 
365  days  of  insurance  before  the  child  is  born.  This  benefit  is  for  the  duration  of 
maternity leave, up to the 168th day following the birth of the child. The amount of 
infant  care  allowance  is  70%  of  the  daily  gross  earnings.  The  amount  depends 
primarily on the gross earnings in the previous 180-day period, but may in some cases 
be different. 

Malta 

A  14-week  flat-rate  benefit  based  on  universal  entitlement  payable  to  ordinary 
residents or women married to a citizen, or women who were last insured under the 
Maltese  scheme  prior  to  giving  birth,  and  are  self-employed,  self-occupied  or 
unemployed. 
A  4-week  flat  rate  benefit  payable  to  employees  and  self-occupied  women  alike 
following  the  expiry  of  the  14  weeks  paid  Maternity  Leave  from  the  employer  or 
Maternity Benefit in case of self-occupied women and is conditional upon the return 
to work of the women.  

The Netherlands 

Wet Arbeid en Zorg (Work and Care 
Act)  

Regeling Zelfstandige en Zwangere 
(ZEZ) (Regulation for the self-
employed and pregnant) 

 The WAZO (Wet Arbeid en Zorg) is a Dutch law that establishes the right to different 
kinds  of  leave  from  work,  such  as  maternity  leave  and  a  maternity  benefit.  The 
objective of this law is to make it easier for employees to combine both work and a 
family life.  
Within the WAZO, there is a specific regulation or arrangement for employees who 
are self-employed. The ZEZ (Regeling Zelfstandige en Zwangere) establishes the same 
benefits  for  self-employed  women  as  for  women  working  for  an  employer.  Self-
employed women have to right to maternity leave and maternity benefits.  

Wochengeld (maternity benefit) 

Familienzeitbonus für Väter (Family 
time bonus for fathers) 

Maternity allowance (paid by Social 
Insurance Institution ZUS) 

Austria 

The maternity benefit is a cash  benefit from the insured event of maternity and is 
intended to completely replace the lost earnings. It is usually due for 8 weeks before 
the expected date of delivery, on the day of delivery, and 8 weeks after delivery. 
Working fathers who intensively and exclusively take care of their families  directly 
after  the  birth  of  a  child,  who  do  this  with  permission  of  their  employers  and  are 
thereby  off  work  without  their  income,  are  entitled  to  the  “family  time  bonus” 
(Familienzeitbonus) amounting to € 22.60 per day This bonus must be taken within a 
specified period of 91 days from the birth of the child, lasting at least 28 days and at 
most 31 days without interruption.  

Poland 
Benefits paid by Social Insurance Institution (ZUS). 
The maternity allowance is granted to an insured woman who within the period of 
sickness insurance or within the period of parental leave: 
• gave birth to a child; 
• took a child under seven years of age into custody and applied to the guardian 
court for its adoption; 
• took a child under seven years of age to be brought up in a foster family, with the 
exception of a professional foster family.  
The period of payment of the maternity allowance in respect of childbirth or in 
respect of taking a child to be brought up depends on the number of children born 
in one confinement or taken to be brought up and equals: 
• 20 weeks - in the case of a single birth or one child taken into custody; 

24 

 
 
 
• 31 weeks - if two children have been born in one confinement or have been 
simultaneously taken; 
• 33 weeks - if three children have been born in one confinement or have been 
simultaneously taken; 
• 35 weeks - if four children have been born in one confinement or have been 
simultaneously taken; 
• 37 weeks - if five or more children have been born in one confinement or have 
been simultaneously taken. 
Maternity allowance is also granted for a period corresponding to a period of a 
parental leave.  Maternity allowance for the period of parental leave is granted up 
to: 
• 32 weeks -  in the case of a single birth or one child taken into custody; 
• 34 weeks -  if two children have been born in one confinement or have been 
simultaneously taken; 
• 29 weeks - if a child has been taken into custody and the employee is granted a 9-
week minimal leave under the terms of maternity leave.  
Insured fathers raising a child are entitled to maternity benefit for a period fixed as 
the period of paternity leave for up to weeks.  
Benefits paid by Agricultural Social Insurance Fund (KRUS). 
Maternity benefit is granted by the virtue of the law or at the request to an insured 
person who is subject to an accident, sickness and maternity insurance, as well as 
pension insurance, or only to pension insurance, who: 
• is a mother or father of a child; 
• adopted a child in the case of taking care of a child under the age of 7, and in the 
case of a child with regard to whom there was a decision about an adjournment of 
compulsory education- up to 10 years of age;  
• decided to raise a child aged up to 7 years old, and in the case of a child with 
regard to whom there was a decision about an adjournment of compulsory 
education- up to 10 years of age, if at that time an application for adoption was 
submitted; 
• decided to raise a child aged up to 7 years old as a foster family, except for a 
professional foster family, and in the case of a child with regard to whom there was 
a decision about an adjournment of compulsory education- up to 10 years of age. 
The insured father of the child is entitled to maternity benefit only in the case of: 
• shortening the period of maternity benefit at the request of a child's mother after 
she has used this benefit for a period of at least 14 weeks from the date of 
childbirth; 
• death of a child's mother; 
• abandonment of the child by the mother. 
Maternity benefit shall be valid from the day of: 
• giving birth to a child; 
• adopting a child, but not longer than to the completion of 7 years of age, and in 
the case of a child with regard to whom there was a decision about an adjournment 
of compulsory education, not longer than to the completion of 10 years of age; 
• fostering a child, not longer than to the completion of 7 years of age, and in the 
case of a child with regard to whom there was a decision about an adjournment of 
compulsory education, no longer than to the completion of 10 years of age. 
Maternity benefit shall be valid for a period of time of: 
• 52 weeks - if one child is born during one birth, one child is adopted or one child is 
fostered; 
• 65 weeks - if two children are born during one birth, two children are adopted or 
two children are fostered; 
• 67 weeks - if three children are born during one birth, three children are adopted 
or three children are fostered; 
• 69 weeks - if four children are born during one birth, four children are adopted or 
four children are fostered; 
• 71 weeks - if five or more children are born during one birth, five or more children 
are adopted or five or more children are fostered. 
Portugal 

Maternity or equivalent paternity 
benefit (paid by Agricultural Social 
Insurance Fund KRUS) 

Initial parental allowance 
Extended parental allowance 

Allowance for adoption 

Maternity/paternity benefit - from 120 to 150 consecutive days. 
Supplementary maternity/paternity benefit – up to 3 months. 
Idem  initial  parental  allowance  (maternity/paternity  benefit  -  from  120  to  150 
consecutive days). 

25 

 
 
 
Extended allowance for adoption 

Allowance for clinical risk during 
pregnancy 
Allowance for termination of 
pregnancy 

Specific risks allowance 

Idem extended parental allowance (supplementary maternity/paternity benefit – up 
to 3 months). 
Granted  for  as  long  as  considered  necessary  to  prevent  the  risk,  insofar  as  the 
employer is unable to give another task to the woman in risk. 

Granted for a period of 14 to 30 days. 

Granted to pregnant, parturient or nursing women pursuing night shift activity or that 
are exposed to agents, processes or conditions at work that may be considered as 
clinical risks for their health and safety. 

Romania 

Slovenia 

Slovakia 

materské  - matka (Maternity 
benefits for mother) 
materské - otec (Maternity benefits 
for father) 

Mother receives maternity benefits generally for 34 weeks in amount of 75 % of her 
average salary. Maternity begins at least six weeks before expected date of childbirth. 
Father receives maternity benefits generally for 28 weeks, in amount of 75 % of his 
average salary. Paternity benefits begins from taking a child into care. 

Maternity allowance 

Paternity allowance 

Parental allowance 

Parental benefit 

Finland 

Mothers normally go on maternity leave 30 days before the calculated time of birth. 
In  this  case,  mothers  receive  a  maternity  allowance.  It  is  paid  for  a  total  of  105 
weekdays – about 4 months. 
The  paternity  leave  can  last  up  to  54  working  days  (about  9  weeks).  Fathers  can 
choose to stay at home for 1 to 18 days at the same time as the child's mother while 
she is paid maternity or parental allowance. The rest of the leave can be taken after 
the parental allowance has ended. Paternity leave can be taken while the child is still 
under two years old. 
Both  parents  can  take  parental  leave  but  they  cannot  be  on  parental  leave  at  the 
same time. During the parental leave, Kela pays parental allowance for 158 working 
days (about half a year).  

Sweden 

Parental  benefit  provides  a  possibility  to  stay  at  home  with  the  child  instead  of 
working, seeking work or studying.  
The benefit may be granted for 480 full days for each child. Parents can take leave in 
one continuous period or in several blocks of time, as a full time or a partial benefit. 
When the parent is receiving partial parental benefit (paid at 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 3/4), he 
or she has a right to shorten his or her working hours correspondingly. It is paid at a 
sickness benefit level (390 days) or at a flat rate level (90 days). The first 180 days 
taken out must be at the sickness benefit level, only thereafter can days at a flat rate 
level be taken out. 

United Kingdom 

Iceland 

Parental benefits to parents who 
are active in the labour market 
Maternity/paternity Grants  

Payments  from  the  Maternity/Paternity  Leave  Fund  to  parents  working  in  the 
domestic labour market, both employed by others or those who are self-employed. 
Maternity/paternity grants to parents who are not active in the labour market. 

Maternity daily benefit 

Parental benefit 

Liechtenstein 

Norway 

Parental benefit is intended to ensure parents with an income in relation to birth or 
adoption of a child. 

Switzerland 

Allocation en cas de maternité dans 
le cadre des allocations pour pertes 
de gains (APG) (Maternity 
allowance) 
Source Questionnaire on maternity and equivalent paternity benefits in cash 2018 

Maternity Allowance for Loss of Earnings Allowances (APG). 

26 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ANNEX II CROSS-COUNTRY TABLES 

27 

 
 
Table A2.1  Total  number  of  persons  who  received  maternity  or  equivalent  paternity  benefits  in  cash  residing  in  a  Member  State  other  than  the 

competent Member State, 2017 

EL 
  Maternity 

ES 

FR 

HR  IT 

CY 

LV  LT 

LU** 

Paternity 
benefit 

Maternit
y benefit 

Paternity 
benefit 

  Maternity 

benefit 

Maternity 
grant 

  Maternity 

benefit 

(Exemption 
from work for 
pregnant and 
breastfeeding 
women) 

BE 
Adoption 
allowance 

Maternity 
allowance 

Replaceme
nt income 
for father 
or co-
parent  

Replacement 
income 
granted in 
case of 
measure of 
work removal 
due to working 
conditions for 
pregnancy 

Replacement 
income 
granted in 
case of 
measure of 
work removal 
due to working 
conditions for 
breastfeeding 

4 

2 
2 
3 
33 

2 
1 
24 
790 
1 
9 

16 
2 

277 
2 
21 
5 
5 

1 

5 
9 

1 
1 

21 

3 

13 
970 

4 

5 
4 

204 
1 
16 
7 
3 

1 
6 

8 

5 

2 
478 

1 

4 
1 

1 
326 

2 

2 
- 

77 

67 

4 
1 
3 

- 

3 
2 
1 

1 

BG  CZ 

DK* 

DE 

EE 

  Maternity 

  Maternity 

and 
paternity 
leave (and 
a 
correspondi
ng right for 
adopting 
parents) 
1 
4 
5 
1,125 
305 
1 
4 
2 
12 
8 
2 
11 

2 
7 

7 
1 
16 
4 
114 
4 
24 

7 
7 
665 
15 
18 

30 

benefit 

2 

3 

2 
2 

2 

Maternity 
Benefit 

IE 
Paternity 
Benefit 

Adoptive 
Benefit 

8 
1 
3 

16 

45 
4 

24 
1 
4 
9 
1 
5 
1 
1 

54 
14 
2 

8 

1 

8 
1 

3 

2 

1 

14 
6 

1 

4 
240 

85 

1 

benefit 

2 

1 

3 

1 

6 

1 

1 

BE 
BG 
CZ 
DK 
DE 
EE 
IE 
EL 
ES 
FR 
HR 
IT 
CY 
LV 
LT 
LU 
HU 
MT 
NL 
AT 
PL 
PT 
RO 
SI 
SK 
FI 
SE 
UK 
IS 
LI 
NO 
CH 
Unknown 
Total 

2 

1 

1 

1 

11 

352 

114 

1 

3 

44 

1 
25 

1 
26 

18 
3 

2 
1 
3 
10 
1 

1 
1 
9 

17 

15 

12 

17 

3 
1 

1 

3 
3 
1 

1 

3 

1 

1 

2 

1 

1,210 

1,260 

4 

579 

                 410    

2,401 

11 

445 

122 

1 

15 

16 

518 

174 

4 

2 

3,801 

HU 
Infant care 
allowance 

1 

1 

1 

1 
2 

9 
1 
57 

1 

74 

945 

1 

815 

296 

309 

2,022 

813 

1 

4 

8 
1 
2 

1 

7 

3 

24 
1,425 

28 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
MT 

NL 
  Wet Arbeid 
en Zorg 
(Work and 
Care Act) 

AT 

Wochen-
geld 

Family 
time 
bonus for 
fathers 

BE 
BG 
CZ 
DK 
DE 
EE 
IE 
EL 
ES 
FR 
HR 
IT 
CY 
LV 
LT 
LU 
HU 
MT 
NL 
AT 
PL 
PT 
RO 
SI 
SK 
FI 
SE 
UK 
IS 
LI 
NO 
CH 
Unknown 
Total 

0 

695 

5 
1 
599 

1 
1 
2 
7 

2 

2 
2 

2 

1 
235 
2 
5 

4 

2 
3 

3 

2 
143 

457 

17 

4 
2 
6 
15 

551 

3 

10 

106 
205 
543 
1 
1 
1 

8 

23 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 
3 

1 

Maternity 
allowance 
(paid by 
ZUS) 

PL 
Maternity or 
equivalent 
paternity 
benefit (paid 
by KRUS) 

1 

1 

1 

Initial 
parental 
allowance 

Extended 
parental 
allowance 

Allowance 
for 
adoption 

PT 

Extended 
allowance 
for 
adoption 

Allowance 
for clinical 
risk during 
pregnancy 

Specific 
risk 
allowance 

Allowance 
for 
termination 
of 
pregnancy 

RO  SI 

SK 

  Maternity 
benefits 
for mother 

Maternity 
benefits 
for father 

Maternity 
allowance 

FI 
Paternity 
allowance 

Parental 
allowance 

SE  UK  IS 

LI 
  Maternity 
daily 
benefit 

NO 
Parental 
benefit  

CH*** 
APG 

1 

6 
3 

1 
12 

2 

67 
33 

2 
1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

2 
13 
2 

7 
11 

2 

4 

4 

1 
3 

4 

20 
5 

1 

1 

1 

1 

1 
3 
1 

1 

2 
2 

1 

1 

1 

14 

1 

1 

9 

3 
2 

4 

1 

1 

1 

11 

1 
9 
24 
20 
4 

8 
8 
1 
3 

1 
1 
1 
1 
1 
5 
5 
4 
4 

1 
2 

49 
14 
1 

2 
9 

7 
1 
1 
3 
22 
71 

7 
4 
1 
1 

6 
2 

1 
2 
4 
9 
3 
1 
1 
2 

43 
6 
3 

4 
6 

18 

2 
13 
42 
54 
5 

22 
10 
1 
5 
1 
1 
3 
6 
1 
2 
11 
7 
5 
5 

2 
3 

75 
24 
3 

8 
12 

13 

5 
128 
43 
6 
3 
1 
26 
14 

760 

3,190 

14 

1,040 

11 
58 

7 

15 
3 
172 
8 
10 
1 
16 
25 
642 
38 
46 

50 

20 

13 

21 

6 

3 

26 

2,081 

1,574 
* Denmark has provided a breakdown by citizenship. 
** The total cases for Luxembourg’s maternity benefit also include one case where the place of residence is Singapore. 
*** For Switzerland a number of isolated cases in other Member States on the list were included in the “Unknown” category for data protection reasons.  
Source Questionnaire on maternity and equivalent paternity benefits in cash 2018 

170 

211 

190 

341 

10 

43 

35 

34 

1 

0 

5 

1 

0 

3 

40 
5,100 

1,311 

29 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table A2.2  Related expenditure to persons who received maternity or equivalent paternity benefits in cash  residing in a Member State other than 

the competent Member State (in €), 2017 

Maternity 
allowance 

Replacement 
income for 
father or co-
parent  

14,535 
20,778 
22,629 
191,472 

8,568 
5,190 
114,821 
3,754,618 
1,668 
62,151 

574 
955 

16,697 

2,036 

10,435 
656,517 

2,830 

78,289 
10,887 

2,636 
2,679 

1,383,514 
16,213 
59,731 
15,291 
16,529 

153,545 
693 
9,538 
4,245 
1,708 

3,060 

43,010 
57,958 

904 
4,904 

BE 
Adoption 
allowance 

Replacement 
income 
granted in 
case of 
measure of 
work removal 
due to 
working 
conditions for 
pregnancy 

Replacement 
income 
granted in 
case of 
measure of 
work removal 
due to 
working 
conditions for 
breastfeeding 

DE 

EE 

  Maternity 

benefit 

Maternity 
Benefit 

IE 
Paternity 
Benefit 

Adoptive 
Benefit 

BG  CZ 

DK* 
  Maternity and 
paternity 
leave (and a 
corresponding 
right for 
adopting 
parents) 

EL 
  Maternity 

ES 

benefit 

FR 

HR  IT 

CY 

LV  LT 

LU** 

Paternity 
benefit 

Maternity 
benefit 

Paternity 
benefit 

  Maternity 

benefit 

Maternity 
grant 

  Maternity 

benefit 

Exemption 
from work for 
pregnant and 
breastfeeding 
women 

HU 
Infant care 
allowance 

49,126 

24,521 

6,543 

7,230 
3,533,231 

5,237 
1,082,710 

2,288 

9,412 

13,874 
608 

8,165 

282,389 

173,804 

10,882 
1,505 
3,510 

622 
2,189 
4,632 

-199 

3,705 
30,791 
35,223 
8,562,263 
1,785,450 
12,047 
30,791 
11,212 
79,832 
75,808 
37,736 
123,022 

14,227 
70,048 

85,096 
19,736 
97,847 
28,968 
372,101 
20,863 
183,150 

32,297 
54,273 
5,852,064 
94,593 
130,390 

14,937 

3,8910 
6,110 
16,415 

77,738 

23,429 

6,588 

1,081,982  78,417 

544 

  10,101,446  2,470,729 

460 

7,511 

12,690 

9,023 

3,501 

131,885  12,486 

  9,524,231  3,023,781 

282 

225,607 
18,906 

3,780 
460 

25,554 

3,751 

3,169 
124,067 

8,501 

 2,397  

544 

3,501 

4,278 
43,516 

10,355 

  21,298,587  6,011,953 

6,525 

7,584 

292 

8,463 

1,371 

930 

470 

93,807 
3,950 
21,353 
45,349 
5,405 
19,180 
5,900 
4,498 

26,6731 
58,106 
8,264 

5,997 
2,585 

42,525 

470 

7,521 
4,388 

17,384 

1,134,431  38,727 

5,595 

5,569 

6,017 

12,499 

40,198 

16,905 

86,351 
17,054 

8,588 
3,628 
110 
12,030 
-45 

7,337 
3,170 
38,767 

13,179  

1,088 

252 
475 

-919 

2,401 
2,680 
666 

25,264 

86,239 
1,646 
8,861 

66,047 

26,985 

831 
11,858 

17,545 
1,984 
115,608 

934 

410 

9,005 

4,453 

5,880,910 

870,895 

6,543 

3,904,642 

1,311,092 

18,068,300 

47,415  2,110,569  55,250 

5,595 

122,289 

34,247  1,659,488  118,877 

15,986 

2,176 

  41,088,016  11,738,783 

160,437 

224,767 

12,107  

86,088 

2,629 

139,288 

30 

BE 
BG 
CZ 
DK 
DE 
EE 
IE 
EL 
ES 
FR 
HR 
IT 
CY 
LV 
LT 
LU 
HU 
MT 
NL 
AT 
PL 
PT 
RO 
SI 
SK 
FI 
SE 
UK 
IS 
LI 
NO 
CH 
Unknown 
Total 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AT 
Wochengeld  Family time 
bonus for 
fathers 

PL 
Maternity 
allowance 
(paid by 
ZUS) 

PT 

RO  SI 

SK 

Initial 
parental 
allowance 

Extended 
parental 
allowance 

Allowance 
for 
adoption 

Extended 
allowance 
for adoption 

Allowance 
for clinical 
risk during 
pregnancy 

Allowance 
for 
termination 
of 
pregnancy 

Specific 
risk 
allowance 

  Maternity 
benefits for 
mother 

Maternity 
benefits for 
father 

Maternity 
allowance 

FI*** 
Paternity 
allowance 

Parental 
allowance 

SE  UK  IS 

LI 
  Maternity 
daily 
benefit 

NO 
Parental 
benefit  

CH**** 
APG 

MT 

NL 

  Wet Arbeid 

en Zorg 
(Work and 
Care Act) 

5,455,900 

41,155 
10,320 

3,902 
656,015 

3,668,225  3,230,927 

11,074 

5,762 
6,250 
10,051 
43,631 

17,541 

13,223 

6,985 

19,463 
10,180 
42,880 
109,783 

633 

701 

701 

26,296 

2,594,930 

701 

16,608 
1,080,175 
23,157 

19,871 

11,201 

9,315 
41,317 

41,326 

58,888 

556,828 
1,089,363 
2,983,546 
9,826 
1,347 
9,906 

49,055 

25,724 

109,427 

633 

BE 

BG 
CZ 
DK 
DE 
EE 
IE 
EL 
ES 
FR 
HR 
IT 
CY 
LV 

LT 
LU 
HU 
MT 
NL 
AT 
PL 
PT 

RO 
SI 
SK 
FI 
SE 
UK 
IS 
LI 
NO 
CH 
Unknown 
Total 

16,347 

10,617 

4,576 

8,129 
134,251 

11,174 

160,163 
57,659 

9,328 
2,857 

1,733 

3,932 

10,435 

678 
1,831 

1,556 

546 

2,400 

4,549 
32,186 
2,375 

4,331 
33,345 

5,021 

2,100 

2,278 

25,097 

1,069 

6,182 

13,432 

51,031 
8,523 

1,043 
1,279 

2,501 

6,010 

78,703 

8,826 

131,812 

39,106 

5,144 

1,929 

4,972 

2,160 

18,176 

12,831 
3,180 

8,696 

5,105 

12,803 
62,044 
157,311 
114,678 
38,387 

1,329 
21,828 
744 
93,699 
7,775 
44,055 
278,040 
101,580  323,382 
49,229 

65,437 
20,990 
2,491 
9,351 

1,253 

1,919 
3,427 
1,188 
10,797 
47,430 
44,472 
18,057 
7,262 

4,980 
7,202 

9,163 
7,762 
3,650 
1,082 

9,435 
7,854 

2,177 
2,312 
8,905 
15,876 
4,177 

792 
4,195 
8,937 

186,932 
60,721 
2,966 
69,677 
1,378 
9,276 

45,760 
34,205 
3,749 
12,808 
95,064 
49,973 
18,508 
26,319 

10,292 
9,578 

290,085 
77,349 
9,930 

86,710 
24,951 
6,652 

456,087 
163,548 
9,677 

184,570 

79,667 
1,702,663 
491,916 
95,806 
20,625 
33,125 
221,224 
160,257 

7,277,000 

29,241,000 

146,764 

6,990,000 

  118,997 

83,847 

577,277 

88,126 

169,397 
5,911 
1,947,298 
71,646 

106,585 
860 
172,933 
167,847 
7,156,708 
472,057 
344,686 

417,000 

160,000 

279,000 

16,728 
30,734 

12,142 
14,667 

73,790 
81,714 

  203,052 

54,887 

760 

686 

237 

2,780 

4,091 
4,400 
188 

922 

182 

3 

8 
15 

10,532,707  11,577,593 

16,950 

21,835 

490,654 

12,272 

13,432 

0 

103,093 

2,504 

2,527 

92,088 

15,220 

1,135,019  395,758  2,320,026 

  321,969  14,556,682  44,364,000 

* Denmark has provided a breakdown by citizenship. 
** The total for Luxembourg’s maternity benefit also includes an expenditure of € 13,522 towards Singapore.  
***  The  reported  totals  for  Finland  do  not  equal  the  sum  of  the  parts.  However,  the  differences  are  very  small  (€ 11,  € 10  and  € 14  respectively). 

Therefore, the totals shown are the ones reported by Finland.   

**** For Switzerland the expenditure for a number of isolated cases in other Member States on the list were included in the “Unknown” category for data 

protection reasons. 

Source Questionnaire on maternity and equivalent paternity benefits in cash 2018

31 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Maternity and equivalent paternity benefits in cash 

ANNEX III QUESTIONNAIRE ON MATERNITY AND EQUIVALENT 
PATERNITY BENEFITS IN CASH 

1)  Total number of persons who received a maternity or equivalent paternity benefit in cash paid 

by the competent Member State and total related expenditure (in €) 

Name of the maternity or equivalent paternity benefit:  

Brief description of the benefit:  

Total number of 
persons 

Total expenditure (in €) 

If more maternity or equivalent paternity benefits in cash exist, please replicate the above 
table. 

32 

 
 
 
 
Maternity and equivalent paternity benefits in cash 

2)  Concerning persons who received maternity or equivalent paternity benefits in cash residing 
in a Member State other than the competent Member State, please indicate the number of 
cases and amount paid (in €) by your authorities during the calendar year 2016, specifying the 
name  of  the  benefit(s)  which  exist  under  your  legislation  -  in  the  field  'name  of  the  cash 
benefit'.  

Name of the 
cash benefit:  
Number 
of 
cases 

Amount 
paid  
(in €) 

Name of the 
cash benefit: 
Number 
of 
cases 

Amount 
paid  
(in €) 

Name of the 
cash benefit: 
Number 
of 
cases 

Amount 
paid  
(in €) 

Total 

Number 
of 
cases 

Amount 
paid  
(in €) 

Member 
State of 
residence 

Belgium 
Bulgaria 
Czech 
Republic 
Denmark 
Germany 
Estonia 
Ireland 
Greece 
Spain 
France 
Croatia 
Italy 
Cyprus 
Latvia 
Lithuania 
Luxembourg 
Hungary 
Malta 
Netherlands 
Austria 
Poland 
Portugal 
Romania 
Slovenia 
Slovakia 
Finland 
Sweden 
United 
Kingdom 
Iceland 
Liechtenstein 
Norway 
Switzerland 
Total 
   

33 

 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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