Calculate Maternity Leave

Calculate Maternity Leave (Netherlands)

Introduction

With this maternity leave calculator, you can easily calculate when your maternity leave starts and when your leave is expected to end. Enter your due date to receive an immediate overview of the key leave dates under Dutch rules.

Are you expecting twins or multiple babies? The calculation also takes into account the different leave rules that apply in these cases.

What is maternity leave?

Maternity leave is the leave you take before the birth of your child. In the Netherlands, you may start maternity leave between 6 and 4 weeks before your due date. Many pregnant people choose to start their leave 6 weeks before the due date.

After the birth, maternity leave automatically transitions into leave after childbirth. Together, these leave periods make up maternity leave and leave after childbirth.

How long do maternity leave and leave after childbirth last?

For a pregnancy with one child, the total maternity leave and leave after childbirth lasts at least 16 weeks.

The breakdown is as follows:

• Maternity leave: 4 to 6 weeks before the due date.
• Leave after childbirth: at least 10 weeks after the birth.
• Total leave duration: at least 16 weeks.

If your baby is born later than the due date, these extra days are added to your leave. As a result, the total leave period may be longer than 16 weeks.

Maternity leave for twins or multiple births

Are you expecting twins, triplets, or other multiples? More generous leave rules apply.

For a multiple pregnancy, maternity leave may start between 10 and 8 weeks before the due date. In addition, total maternity leave and leave after childbirth lasts at least 20 weeks.

The calculator automatically takes this longer leave period into account when you indicate that you are expecting multiple babies.

How does this tool calculate leave?

The calculation uses the official Dutch rules for maternity leave and leave after childbirth. Based on the details entered, it calculates, among other things:

• The due date.
• The earliest possible start date for leave.
• The latest possible start date for leave.
• The duration of maternity leave.
• The duration of leave after childbirth.
• Any additional leave days for a late birth.
• The expected end date of leave.

If you enter the actual date of birth, the calculator can provide a more accurate result.

Frequently asked questions

When must I start maternity leave at the latest?

For a pregnancy with one child, maternity leave must start no later than 4 weeks before the due date. For twins or multiple births, it must start no later than 8 weeks before the due date.

What happens if my baby is born later?

If the baby is born after the due date, the extra days between the due date and the actual birth are added to the leave.

Am I always entitled to at least 10 weeks of leave after childbirth?

Yes. After the birth, you are entitled to at least 10 weeks of leave after childbirth. This period starts on the day after the birth.

Do different rules apply for twins?

Yes. For twins or multiple births, leave starts earlier and total maternity leave and leave after childbirth lasts at least 20 weeks.