Maternity pay if you have an employment contract

You will be entitled to paid maternity leave for at least 16 weeks. Keep in mind that 4 to 6 weeks of this leave must be taken in one go right before your expected due date. After giving birth, you will be entitled to a minimum of 10 weeks’ paid leave. You must take at least 6 of these 10 weeks right away after giving birth.

Please note: If you are going to have a multiple birth, you will be entitled to at least 20 weeks’ maternity leave. You must take 8 to 10 weeks of this leave in one go right before your expected due date.

If your baby arrives early, you can add any unused maternity leave from before the birth to your leave after the birth. If your baby comes late, you will still be entitled to a minimum of 10 weeks’ leave after giving birth.

You will also be entitled to more than 10 weeks’ leave if your newborn has to be hospitalised for more than 7 days after the birth.

You will be entitled to 100% of your full average daily income while on maternity leave. In most cases, we will transfer the maternity pay directly to your employer. They will then continue paying your salary in the same way they always have.

Please note: Your maternity pay will not be more than the highest average daily income (‘maximumdagloon’). However, your employer might supplement this.

Tell your employer you are pregnant at least 3 weeks before your maternity leave starts. We recommend doing this even earlier. This gives your employer enough time to come up with a plan of how to cover your absence while you are on leave.

You will need to prove you are pregnant by getting a maternity certificate (‘zwangerschapsverklaring’) from your doctor or midwife. Keep this certificate for at least 1 year after your maternity leave has ended, as we may ask for it at a later date.

Your employer will need your due date when applying for maternity pay on your behalf. This information is included on your maternity certificate.

You should also tell your employer when you would like your maternity leave to start. You are free to choose any date as long as it is 4 to 6 weeks before the day after your due date. Your employer must apply for maternity pay 4 to 2 weeks before your maternity leave starts.

If you fall ill before, during or after your maternity leave, tell your employer right away.

Should you give birth prematurely or experience a stillbirth after the 24th week of pregnancy but before your maternity leave starts, you will still be entitled to paid maternity leave for 16 weeks.

If you have experience a stillbirth but are still pregnant because you are having a multiple pregnancy, you will continue to be entitled to paid maternity leave for 8 to 10 weeks before your due date.

• You must ensure the information you give us is accurate (for example, your contact details, your living situation).
• You must inform us of a change in your circumstances within 1 week of that change occurring (for example, if your contact details change, your living situation changes or you move abroad).
• You must let us know if you give birth before your maternity leave starts. Keep in mind you must always inform your employer of your delivery, whether this occurs before or during your maternity leave.
• You must let us know if you would like to change the start date of your maternity leave and/or pay.
• You must respond to our letters and messages on time.

If your contract ends while you are on maternity leave, you will continue to receive maternity pay for the duration of your leave. We will transfer the benefit payments directly to you instead of to your employer.

You will receive a decision about whether you qualify for maternity pay within the first 4 weeks of your maternity leave. Your employer will also receive a copy of this decision.