Parental leave laws across the EU

Date: 09/11/1995

Austria: Each family receives 24 months' leave, with a flat-rate benefit of 13 ecu per day and a higher rate for a single parent or one with a partner on a low income

Belgium: No statutory leave, but workers can take 6-12 months' full-time 'career break' or, in the case of childbirth, a 12-week period after the end of maternity leave. The career break is not a right but must be agreed by the employer. Alternatively, workers can ask to work half-time for between six months and five years

Denmark: Ten weeks per family. Each parent is entitled to an additional six months' leave, paid at 80&percent; of unemployment benefit rates, with a second six-month period if the employer agrees

Finland: 158 working days per family paid at 66&percent; of earnings. A further period of child-care leave until the child is three. If both parents are employed, one may work reduced hours until the end of the year when the child starts compulsory schooling

France: Leave, which may be shared, is granted until a child is 36 months old. Employers with less than 100 workers may refuse to give leave. Parents taking leave may work part-time

Germany: Either parent may take leave until the child is three. For the first six months, payment of 320 ecu a month, followed by income-related benefit until the child is two. The parent taking leave may work up to 19 hours a week for any employer

Greece: Each parent is entitled to three months' unpaid full-time leave, which cannot be transferred between parents. Single parents may have six months' leave. Employers may refuse leave if it has been claimed by more than 8&percent; of the workforce during the year

Ireland: None

Italy: Six months extra after maternity leave, to be taken before the child's first birthday. The parent receives 30&percent; of normal earnings. If a child is disabled, leave can be extended to the child's third birthday or taken as two hours' paid leave a day

Luxembourg: None

Netherlands: Each parent entitled to a six month period when he or she can work reduced hours at any time until child is four years old. No payment for lost earnings

Portugal: Each family is entitled to between six and 24 months' leave, to be taken at the end of maternity leave. Workers with a child under 12 or handicapped child are entitled to work half normal working hours

Spain: 12 months' unpaid leave per family. A further two years may be taken, but the parent is then not entitled to return to his/her old job unless it is free. Parents with children under six or a disabled child may reduce working hours by between a third and a half, but with no compensation for lost earnings

Sweden: 18 months per parent. Payment is available for 450 days per family, for 360 days at 90&percent; of earnings and 90 days at 7 ecu per day. Leave must be taken before the child reaches the age of eight and can be taken in a block or split into shorter periods. Parents are entitled to work 75&percent; of normal working hours until the child has completed the first year of school, but with no payment for lost earnings

United Kingdom: None