What are the benefits when you have a child?

Maternity leave is leave for pregnant workers around the birth of a child. During this leave, you receive benefits so your income continues.

This scheme falls under the Dutch Labour and Care Act (WAZO). The benefit is paid by the UWV. Your employer applies for the benefit for you from the

You are entitled if you:

• Are pregnant

• Are employed (including as an on-call or temporary employee)

• Have

  employee insurance
  .

You get at least 16 weeks of leave in total. 6 weeks before delivery (maternity leave) and 10 weeks after delivery (birth leave).

If you give birth later than expected, then the weeks move on. And if you give birth earlier, then you get to add the weeks missed after delivery.

You get 100% of your daily wage. But there is a maximum daily wage of €304.25 gross per day.

ZEZ benefit is a benefit for self-employed individuals who are pregnant. You get this benefit if you have your own business and you miss income because you are pregnant and can (temporarily) work less.

The ZEZ benefit is paid by the UWV. You apply for this benefit yourself from the UWV.

You are entitled to the ZEZ benefit if you:

• Are self-employed (with or without employees)

• Work as an independent professional, such as freelancer, artist or alpha worker

• Or are a cooperating partner of a self-employed individual

• Work as a self-employed individual on the day before benefits begin.

You get the benefit for at least 16 weeks during and after your pregnancy. Usually, benefits begin 6 weeks before your due date.

You will receive the benefit for at least 10 weeks after giving birth. If you have a multiple birth (e.g. twins), the benefit will last at least 20 weeks.

The amount of ZEZ benefit depends on your turnover and work. Did you work at least 1,225 hours in the year before your pregnancy? Then you get the maximum benefit: equal to the statutory

Did you work less than 1,225 hours? Then the UWV calculates your benefit based on your earnings in the previous year or past years. The benefit is never higher than the statutory minimum wage.

Apply for ZEZ benefit through My UWV. Preferably do this at least 4 to 2 weeks before you want to start receiving the benefit. You can also apply for it up to a year back, but restrictions sometimes apply.

Paid parental leave is leave for parents to care for their child during the first year of life. During this leave, you receive benefits so that you keep (part of) your income.

This benefit is paid by the UWV. Your employer applies for the benefit for you from the UWV.

You get 70% of your daily wage. But there is a maximum daily wage of €304.25 gross per day.

You are entitled to paid parental leave if you:

• Are employed (including as an on-call or temporary employee)

• Are a parent of a child under 1 year of age (for the paid portion)

• Take parental leave according to the rules.

• Adoptive and foster parents are also entitled to parental leave.

You are entitled to a total of 26 weeks of parental leave per child. Of these 26 weeks, 9 weeks are paid. You must take these 9 weeks within the first year of your child's life. The other 17 weeks are unpaid (unless your employer agrees otherwise). You can take the leave in parts. If you have multiple jobs then you are entitled to leave with each employer.

Additional birth leave is additional leave for the mother's partner after the birth of a child. This leave is in addition to the standard birth leave of 1 week. Additional birth leave allows the partner to stay home longer to care for the baby and the mother.

The benefit for additional birth leave is paid by the UWV. The employer applies for the benefit from the UWV. Your employer may not refuse the leave but may discuss the schedule.

You get 70% of your daily wage. There is a maximum daily wage.

You are entitled to additional birth leave if you:

• Are a partner of the mother

• Are in salaried employment

• First took the standard 1-week birth leave.

You can take up to 5 weeks of additional birth leave. You must take this leave within 6 months of the birth of your child. You can take the leave all at once or in parts.

Adoption and foster care benefits are benefits for parents who take in an adopted or foster child. Both parents may be entitled to leave of absence and benefits.

The benefit is intended to take time off to get used to the new family situation. The benefit is paid by the UWV.

You are entitled to this benefit if you:

• Take in an adopted or foster child

• Are in salaried employment

• Are insured for employee insurance.

You get a maximum of 6 weeks of leave per child. You must take the leave starting 2 weeks before the child's admission, or until 22 weeks after the child's admission. You may take the leave consecutively or in parts.

You get 100% of your daily wage. There is a maximum daily wage €304.25 gross per day.