It is interesting to know the maternity and paternity leave that are granted in Europe in order to assess and compare the situation of the different countries.
We have compiled the information on the periods of withdrawal and the benefits received in that period in 35 European countries.
In general terms we can say that the Nordic countries (Finland, Iceland, Denmark, Sweden and Norway) are the most advantageous in social policies, with measures that promote equality between father and mother and facilitate work and family reconciliation.
Spain, with 112 days for the mother and 15 days for the father, is at the tail of Europe. Specifically, it occupies the eighth place behind Turkey, Switzerland (both with 112 days for the mother and 3 for the father), Latvia (112 days for the mother, 10 for the father), Cyprus (only 112 days for the mother), Belgium (105 days the mother and 10 the father), Slovenia (84 days for the mother and 11 days for the father) and Liechtenstein (only 56 days for the mother).
Germany has a shorter period than that of Spain for the mother, 98 days (14 weeks), of which 42 days are before the birth, but after delivery one year is added to 67 percent of help with a cap of 1800 euros The same for a year for the father. In addition, although the couple may see their income reduced during this year, quite strong birth aid is granted.
The shortest permit in Europe
Liechtenstein has the shortest leave for the mother, 56 days, and no day for the father, followed by Slovenia with 84 days for the mother and 11 days for the father.
As for the father, the shortest withdrawal periods are those in the Netherlands and Malta, with only two days. It is followed by Switzerland and Turkey with 3 days.
The longest permit in Europe
The Longest maternity and paternity leave are those of Sweden, with 480 days (16 months) shared between father and mother receiving 80% up to 390 days. The father has the obligation to take at least 60 days + 10 working days from birth.
It is followed by Norway with 392 days (56 weeks) at 80 percent or 322 days (46 weeks) at one hundred percent. The father is entitled to 70 days of help (10 weeks) receiving one hundred percent of his salary. The mother is obliged to take 21 days before delivery and 42 days after delivery, the rest can be shared with the father. For something Save the Children Norway stands out as the best country to be a mother.
The situation of Spain
The 16 weeks of maternity leave occupy Spain in eighth European place. Maternity leave is specified in 16 weeks 100% paid leave, expandable to two more weeks for each child, from the second, if it is a multiple birth, and in case of disability of the baby. This right can also be exercised in cases of adoption and foster care, whether permanent or temporary, provided the children are under six years old.
Of the 16 weeks, the first 6 are mandatory for the mother, while the other 10 weeks can be divided between the father and the mother simultaneously or consecutively.
For its part, the father has 2 days per birth plus 13 days, which can be 15 days in case of multiple births and 20 in case of large families.
Although it is far from being the ideal situation and light years from what happens in countries like Sweden or Norway, Spain is not so bad. You just have to take a look at other countries.
However, the most worrying thing is that there is no view that the situation will change. In fact, it has been requested to raise maternity leave to six months, there are many associations that fight for it, without favorable results. In the same vein, the paternity leave has been about to be extended to 4 weeks from 2011, but the project has made water.
Equality between father and mother
Few countries have equal or more or less equal periods of leave for mother and father. In general, there are very marked differences if we compare between the permits granted to motherhood and fatherhood. The parents are in worse condition than mothers
Among the countries of Europe with more egalitarian policies We could highlight:
- Sweden: 480 days for father and mother.
- Romania: 126 days for father and mother.
- Germany: up to 98 days for father and mother.
- Iceland: both have 90 days at 80 percent + 90 days to share with the father / mother.
The only country that has exactly the same rights between maternity and paternity leave is Iceland and, curiously, Austria offers more days off for fatherhood than for motherhood.
A model that is not strictly egalitarian, but that allows both to share the permit is that of Finland. The mother is entitled to 105 days of leave and the father to 18, but both can also share 158 days from the birth of the child.
Although there is increasing awareness, few parents take parental leave beyond 15 days after birth. Permit enjoyment rates are much higher in the Nordic countries where there are more flexible and reinforced schemes with high salaries.
One of the issues raised to facilitate family reconciliation is to create mandatory paternity leave. But this is another debate.
Below you can see a box with the maternity and paternity leave from 35 countries in Europe.
