Parents in Denmark have the right to a total of 52 weeks parental leave.

The mother is entitled to four weeks of leave prior to giving birth and 10 weeks of maternity leave after giving birth. Fathers and co-mothers have the right to two weeks of paternity leave right after the birth.

After the first 10 weeks of maternity leave, each of the parents has the right to parental leave for 32 weeks. A father or co-mother may begin the parental leave before the first 14 weeks after the birth of the child.

Salary and benefits during maternity and paternity leave

For part of your maternity or paternity leave, you will receive full or partial salary payments from your employer. How much you receive and how long you are entitled to receive salary payments depends on your employment contract or the collective agreement under which you are covered.

Parents, who are not entitled to paid maternity/paternity leave from their workplace, can receive maternity/paternity benefits.

Adoptive parents

For adoptive parents, the same rights apply in general as for biological parents.

Read more about maternity and paternity leave and benefits on Life in Denmark.