You will need to decide when you would like your paid maternity leave to start. You are free to choose any date as long as it is between 4 to 6 weeks before the day after your due date. Make sure you apply for maternity pay 2 to 4 weeks before your maternity leave starts.

If you are receiving an unemployment benefit, log in to Mijn UWV so that you can access and complete the ‘Maternity pay application form’ (‘Zwangerschapsuitkering aanvragen’). You will need either a DigiD account or a valid European electronic ID (‘Europees erkend inlogmiddel’) to do this.

If you are receiving a sickness or salary-linked WGA benefit, call UWV Telefoon Werknemers (the employee helpline) and ask them to send you the ‘Maternity pay application form’.

• your due date
• the exact date your maternity leave starts

Please note: You will need to get 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.

You might want to make changes to your application, such as changing the date on which your maternity leave starts. Please call UWV Telefoon Werknemers to inform us of these types of changes.

If the information on your application is correct, we will send you a confirmation. If we need more information, we will let you know.

You will receive a decision about your maternity pay application digitally via Mijn UWV within the first 4 weeks of your maternity leave. This decision will explain when your benefit is due to start, how long you will be entitled to maternity pay and how much you will receive. If you have an employer, they will receive a copy of this document.