The mother's partner is entitled to additional partner's leave if they have an employment contract and 1 of the following applies:

  • They have a declaration of parentage ('erkenning') for the child.
  • They are married to the mother of the child.
  • They are the mother's civil partner ('geregistreerd partnerschap').
  • They are living with the mother and they share the home and household costs.

In addition, 1 of the following must apply:

  • They are in paid employment.
  • They provide housekeeping services for the elderly or people with disabilities ('alfahulp'), or they work as private home help ('particuliere huishoudelijke hulp').
  • They are a director and majority shareholder ('directeur-grootaandeelhouder, dga').

Working and receiving a benefit

If the mother’s partner is working and receiving a benefit from UWV, they are entitled to additional partner's leave for the hours that they work.

Working for someone with a personal budget ('persoonsgebonden budget, pgb')

If the mother’s partner is working for someone who receives a personal budget, their entitlement to additional partner's leave depends on the type of care contract ('zorgovereenkomst') they have.

If they have an employment contract, they are entitled to additional partner's leave if they meet the criteria mentioned above.

Often, they will not be entitled to this leave if they have 1 of the following types of care contract: 

  • a care contract with a partner or family member (‘zorgovereenkomst met partner of familie’)
  • a care contract for self-employed care providers (‘zorgovereenkomst van opdracht’)

The type of contract is stated in the care contract itself. More information about the different types of care contracts is available on the SVB ('Sociale Verzekeringsbank') website (in Dutch).

If a baby is stillborn

If a baby is stillborn during or after the 24th week of pregnancy, the entitlement to additional partner's leave still applies.

Additional partner's leave must be taken within 6 months of the baby being born. Those in paid employment must take it after their standard leave. The leave can be taken in different ways, for example, 5 weeks in a row or spread over 6 months.

Standard leave (‘standaard geboorteverlof’)

Standard leave is 1 working week, taken within 4 weeks of the baby being born. This is also known as paternity leave ('vaderschapsverlof') or partner's leave ('partnerverlof'). Employers and employees arrange this together.

Additional partner’s leave is a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 5 times the number of hours in the working week.

The amount of additional partner’s leave is the same for twins or a multiple birth as it is for 1 child.

As well as additional partner's leave, the mother’s partner might also be entitled to up to 9 weeks' paid parental leave.