Maternity leaves in the different countries of the European Union

In Spain, we are at the bottom in terms of the duration of maternity leave. This data becomes especially relevant when there is a greater need to promote policies aimed at fostering childbirth in Spain, due to the aging population. The variations in this regard in the rest of the EU are significant but the weakness of this right in the Spanish case stands out.

In Spain, maternity leave is 16 weeks. Six weeks must be taken compulsorily after childbirth and continuously. The other ten weeks can be taken before or after pregnancy.

Regarding paternity leave, after many years of precariousness, it has been equalized to maternity leave, that is, 16 weeks. This time is non-transferable, so it can only be taken by the father, either at the same time as the mother or when the mother has already finished her leave period. In this way, it has been possible to reach almost a year of shared leave between both parties. However, there are variables that influence the extension of maternity leave periods such as multiple pregnancies, hospitalization of a premature newborn, or if the newborn is born with a disability.

These permits apply to biological motherhood and also to cases of adoption, guardianship, and foster care.

What is the situation in the rest of Europe?

Generally, Nordic countries like Finland, Iceland, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway are the most advanced in social and work-life balance policies. For example, Sweden offers 480 days (16 months) to be shared between the father and mother. The father is required to take at least 60 days.

Norway provides 392 days (56 weeks) at 80% of the salary or 322 days (46 weeks) at 100%. The mother must take 21 days before childbirth and 42 days after, and the father is entitled to 70 days of assistance.

In Germany, the mandatory period is 14 weeks (98 days), of which 42 must be taken before childbirth. Once the leave is over, mothers have the option to add another year at 67% of assistance up to a maximum of 1800 euros, and the father can also request this right under the same conditions.

On the other hand, there are countries that are even more disadvantaged than Spain, such as Liechtenstein, which only grants 56 days to the mother and none to the father, Slovenia with 84 days for the mother and 11 for the father.

Parents in Holland, Malta, Switzerland, and Turkey barely have three days of leave.

In the last election period, different voices have called for an increase in the period of maternity and paternity leave in Spain. The data on EU countries show a wide range of figures, for now, all we can do is make the most of what we have.