More cash for Dutch parents: 9 weeks of paid parental leave guaranteed

If you’ve just welcomed a little one into your life, the Dutch have just introduced a special treat for you. From August 2nd (hey, that’s today), you’re entitled to 9 weeks of paid parental leave. 👩‍🍼

In total, parents have the right to 26 weeks of unpaid leave after having kids, which can be used until the child is 8 years old.

Now, 9 out of these 26 weeks will be paid, which is an improvement from the previous arrangement. 🤷‍♀️

The catch(es)

But, it wouldn’t be the Netherlands without some bureaucratic catches and fine print. 🙄

The first catch is: If you want your 9 weeks of paid leave, you have to take them within the first year of your child’s life.

READ MORE | Everything you need to know about maternity leave in the Netherlands in 2022

If you don’t want to, or if you’re not able to, the 9 weeks can still be used later — but they will be unpaid.

This brings us to the second significant catch to the new Dutch parental leave arrangement: you’ll only get 70% of your wage paid during your paid time off.

Now, 70% might be plenty for some — at least if you’re a parent in a double-income household.

Though, for many low/single income households, 9 weeks on 70% income might just not be feasible.

The advantages

On a more positive note, these rules apply to biological and non-biological parents alike, and they apply to parents of children born before August 2nd 2022.

Another positive development is that parents of twins are entitled to twice as much (quick maths tells us that is 18 weeks of paid parental leave). Makes sense if you ask us; double the work = double the need for time off.

READ MORE | Becoming a father? Here’s everything you need to know about paternity leave in the Netherlands in 2022

Although many will say the new system is an improvement on the previous one, the Netherlands is still lagging behind many other European countries when it comes to parental leave benefits.

What do you think of the new system? Should we celebrate the improvement or call for better terms? Tell us in the comments below!

Feature Image:Depositphotos
Juni Moltubak
Juni Moltubak
Juni moved to the Netherlands after realizing how expensive tuition fees in the UK are, and never regretted her choice of studying in The Hague. After three years of Political Science, she is ready for a new adventure — an internship at DutchReview! When you don’t see her typing on her laptop she can be found strolling around Haagse Bos or sitting in her lovely garden scrolling through interior design TikToks.

1 COMMENT

  1. If a private company wants to offer 100% paid parental leave that’s fine and dandy it’s up to the company. However if the government forces companies to pay people parental leave that’s a dictatorship and tyranny.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Related posts

Latest posts

Damsko, Roffa, Agga: do you know the nickname for your Dutch city?

Let’s say you’ve lived in the Netherlands for a couple of years now — you’re fairly local, you’ve been around. But are you on...

Saunas in the Netherlands: what is going to a naked sauna really like?

A sauna in the Netherlands may sound like the perfect way to relax — until you walk in and everyone is butt naked. 🙈 Yes,...

A guide to 12 breathtaking castles and palaces in the Netherlands

When it comes to destinations with historic castles, the Netherlands might not immediately spring to mind. However, the Dutch have some pretty breathtaking castles...

It's happening

Upcoming events

The latest Dutch news.
In your inbox.