In the Netherlands, partners of a person giving birth are entitled to one week of fully paid partner leave (geboorteverlof) immediately after the birth, plus an additional five weeks of paid leave (aanvullend geboorteverlof) that can be taken within the first six months. The additional leave is paid at 70% of the daily wage through the UWV. This entitlement is available to fathers, cohabiting partners, and registered partners.

Statutory entitlement

One week of fully paid geboorteverlof (employer continues paying salary). Additional five weeks of aanvullend geboorteverlof paid at 70% of daily wage through the UWV (up to the maximum daily wage ceiling).

Eligibility

All partners of a person giving birth are entitled to geboorteverlof. The partner must be the father, cohabiting partner, or registered partner of the person giving birth. The leave must be taken within four weeks of the birth for the first week, and within six months for the additional five weeks.

Employer obligations

  • Grant one week of geboorteverlof to all partners following a birth.
  • Continue paying the employee's full salary during the first week of geboorteverlof.
  • Allow the employee to take the additional five weeks of aanvullend geboorteverlof within six months of the birth.
  • Cooperate with the UWV application for aanvullend geboorteverlof payment.
  • Maintain the employee's position and all employment terms during partner leave.
  • Not dismiss the employee during partner leave.

Employee rights

  • Right to one week of fully paid geboorteverlof.
  • Right to five additional weeks of aanvullend geboorteverlof paid at 70% through the UWV.
  • Right to take the additional leave flexibly within six months of the birth.
  • Right to return to the same position after partner leave.
  • Right not to be dismissed or subjected to detriment for taking partner leave.

Common pitfalls

  • Not informing employees about the additional five weeks — many partners are unaware of the aanvullend geboorteverlof entitlement.
  • Confusing the payment mechanisms — the first week is paid by the employer, the additional five weeks are paid by the UWV.
  • Missing the four-week deadline for the first week — the initial geboorteverlof must be taken within four weeks of the birth.

How geboorteverlof is structured

The first week of partner leave (geboorteverlof) must be taken within four weeks of the birth and is fully paid by the employer. The additional five weeks (aanvullend geboorteverlof) can be taken flexibly within six months of the birth, in whole or partial weeks.

Payment for additional leave

The additional five weeks are paid at 70% of the daily wage through the UWV, up to the maximum daily wage ceiling. The employee applies for payment through the UWV portal. The employer does not pay this portion.

Who qualifies as a partner?

Partner leave is available to the father of the child, the spouse or registered partner of the person giving birth, or a cohabiting partner. The partner does not need to be the biological father to qualify.

Frequently asked questions

Can both parents take partner leave?

Only the partner of the person giving birth can take geboorteverlof. The person giving birth takes zwangerschapsverlof (maternity leave), which is a separate entitlement.

Can the additional five weeks be taken in part weeks?

Yes. The additional leave can be taken in whole or partial weeks, as agreed with the employer.

Is the employer required to top up the 70% UWV payment?

There is no statutory requirement to top up, but some collective agreements or employment contracts may provide for enhanced payment.

Sources

This page is provided for general guidance and does not constitute legal advice. Always check the cited primary source for current law before making employment decisions.