How Long Does Finland’S Maternity Leave Last?

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Maternity leave in Finland starts 30 working days before and ends 75 working days after the child’s due date. Pregnant employees can choose to go on maternity leave earlier, albeit no earlier than 50 working days before their due date. After the child is born, they will receive pregnancy allowance (maternity allowance under the old law) for as many days as are left of the 40 working days to be paid to them.

Employers must be notified of a pregnancy leave, parental leave, or childcare leave no later than two months before the start of the leave. If the child’s estimated date of delivery is before 4 September 2022, the old provisions on maternity, paternity, and parental leave apply. Parents can receive maternity, paternity, and parental leave as follows:

Maternity leave lasts 105 calendar days in Finland, typically beginning 30 working days before the anticipated child’s delivery and continuing through the baby’s birth. More than 30 days but no more than 50 days before. The length of pregnancy leave is 40 working days, with the leave usually starting 30 working days before the estimated due date, but the leave must start no later than 14 working days before the estimated date.

Pregnancy leave (raskausvapaa) allows mothers to begin pregnancy leave 30 weekdays before the child’s expected date of birth, and must begin it at least 14 weekdays. Parents may take leave over several periods until their child reaches the age of two, and they can transfer some of their own leave days to the other parent or other custodian.

For the first time, the reform gives equal parental leave for both parents in Finland, with both parents receiving 160 days of parental allowance. There is also a law up for vote that allows for 4 months of parental leave at 80 pay, up to 1900 euros a month.

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📹 How long is paid maternity leave in Finland?

Finland’s Generous Paid Maternity Leave Policy Generous Maternity Leave Discover how Finland’s maternity leave policy …


What Countries Pay Moms To Stay At Home
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What Countries Pay Moms To Stay At Home?

The countries with exemplary parental leave policies include Finland, Germany, Iceland, and Norway. These nations support families significantly, providing payments for stay-at-home parents, especially in Finland, South Korea, and Denmark. Nordic countries are known for their generous childcare systems, including free care for low-income families. In contrast, in countries lacking guaranteed paid leave or childcare, many parents opt to stay home, often expressing love for their role but feeling compelled by financial limitations.

France offers a notable policy, granting mothers 16 weeks of paid leave for a first child. Finland, South Korea, and Denmark also provide financial support for stay-at-home parents. Australia's legal framework mandates 12 months of maternity leave, highlighting a trend where various nations offer extensive benefits to mothers, including subsidized childcare. Additionally, stay-at-home moms can benefit financially through refundable tax credits. The Fairness for Stay-at-Home Parents Act aims to rectify aspects of the Family and Medical Leave Act that disadvantage mothers who choose to remain at home post-birth.

Countries like Norway provide up to 49 weeks at full or 80% salary for new mothers. In the global landscape, Bulgaria stands out with the most extensive maternity leave, offering 410 days, while Iceland's leave is paid at 80% of wages, illustrating a commitment to supporting families.

How Much Paternity Leave Do Women Use In Finland
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How Much Paternity Leave Do Women Use In Finland?

In Finland, women utilize nearly 90% of parental leave days and over 90% of childcare leaves. The prior policy permitted fathers to share paternity leave with the mother, enabling them to take leave immediately after birth. Fathers can take up to 54 working days (around 9 weeks) of paternity leave, with the option to stay home for 1 to 18 days concurrently with the mother. Parents are entitled to 320 working days (approximately 14 months) of parental allowance, split equally between them; thus, each parent receives 160 days.

For those with only one guardian, 320 days can be used entirely by that parent. New parents may take a maximum of 158 working days of parental leave together or separately. In cases of multiple births, the parental leave extends. Each parent may take parental leave in up to four segments, with each segment requiring a minimum of 12 working days. Maternity benefits are available to mothers for 105 working days, with maternity leave starting 30-50 days before the due date.

Special provisions exist for adoptive parents, granting them 234 workdays. Finland's comprehensive system includes generous childcare leave options and a notable maternity package known as the "baby box." Recent reforms have granted both birth and non-birth parents 160 days of paid leave each for children born after September 4, 2022, marking a commitment to equal parental rights. Overall, Finland’s policies promote shared parental involvement and child care responsibilities.

How Long Is Maternity Leave In The USA
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How Long Is Maternity Leave In The USA?

In the United States, maternity leave is primarily governed by the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which mandates that eligible employees receive up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for family and medical reasons, including maternity leave. As one of only eight countries in the world that do not guarantee paid maternity leave, the U. S. situation can be challenging for many new mothers. While mothers are entitled to 12 weeks of job-protected unpaid leave, financial constraints often prevent them from taking the full duration.

On average, new mothers take about 10 weeks of maternity leave, with limited benefits from paid sick and personal days. The FMLA protects this leave, but not all workers qualify, as eligibility requirements can restrict access. Furthermore, state laws vary significantly, adding to the complexity of parental leave rules in the U. S. Despite the widespread support for paid parental leave—around 82% of Americans favor it—the absence of a federal mandate means many parents face difficult choices in balancing their job obligations with family needs. The current structure highlights the critical need for reform in parental leave policies to better support families across the nation.

How Many Days Maternity Leave In Usa
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How Many Days Maternity Leave In Usa?

The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) allows eligible employees up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave, primarily addressing family and medical needs, including maternity leave for mothers and parental leave for fathers. However, many individuals do not qualify under the federal law, and there is no mandated federal paid maternity leave in the United States; it is up to states to implement their own policies. Currently, only California, Rhode Island, and New Jersey offer paid maternity leave.

The average maternity leave taken by new mothers in the U. S. is about 10 weeks, of which part may be covered by paid sick or personal leave, leaving the rest unpaid. The FMLA applies to both biological and adoptive parents but fails to guarantee paid leave, making the U. S. one of the few countries without such a provision. Each state and company may have different regulations and benefits, affecting the length and payment status of maternity leave.

Consequently, many parents return to work after the 12-week FMLA period, despite individual circumstances varying widely. Ultimately, while the FMLA provides a safety net, it is limited in scope, especially regarding paid leave options.

In What Country Do Mothers Get 410 Days Of Maternity Leave
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In What Country Do Mothers Get 410 Days Of Maternity Leave?

Bulgaria boasts the longest maternity leave in the world, offering an impressive 410 days of paid leave, with the first 45 days mandated. This leave is compensated at 90% of the employee's salary, greatly supporting new mothers. In terms of duration, Bulgaria grants parents a total of 58. 6 weeks of maternity leave. Conversely, countries in Africa and the Middle East, such as Qatar and Tunisia, typically provide much shorter leaves, averaging around 4 to 5 weeks.

Notably, other major economies like China, India, and the U. S. present varied maternity leave provisions, with the U. S. lacking a federal minimum; 41% of mothers receive on average only 3. 3 weeks of paid leave.

Various U. S. states, including California and New York, have enacted their own paid maternity leave programs, addressing the needs of new parents. Elsewhere, South Korea offers 90 days of maternity leave, while Croatia guarantees 30 weeks of pay out of a potential 58 weeks of leave. Overall, the landscape of maternity leave varies significantly by country, with Bulgaria leading in both duration and financial support, ensuring strong backing for new mothers and their infants.

Which European Country Has The Best Maternity Leave
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Which European Country Has The Best Maternity Leave?

Romania offers the longest paid parental leave, totaling 746 days, with 111 days for mothers and 15 for fathers. Bulgaria provides the most generous maternity leave in Europe, allowing mothers to take 58. 6 weeks (410 days) off at 90% of their salary, capped at €1, 700 by the National Health Insurance Fund. Other European countries with notable maternity leave include Sweden, which offers 56 weeks paid at 80% of salary, and Greece, providing 43 weeks at an average rate of 61.

8%, the equivalent of 26. 6 full-rate weeks. Slovakia also offers competitive maternity leave. The analysis from the OECD ranked the top countries, where Poland and Spain shared the lead for the best maternity and paternity leave, followed by Norway and the Netherlands. In contrast, the U. S. provides no national paid maternity leave, reflecting a gap compared to developed nations. Estonia ranks highly for maternity leave, paying 100% of wages for 140 days.

Luxembourg offers 20 weeks of maternity leave and is highlighted for its supportive policies. Overall, European countries dominate the rankings for parental leave, setting important benchmarks for global maternity policies and employer practices in supporting new parents.

What 7 Countries Do Not Have Paid Maternity Leave
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What 7 Countries Do Not Have Paid Maternity Leave?

Seven countries in the United Nations, specifically the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, and the United States, do not mandate paid maternity leave for new parents. However, several U. S. states, including California, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Washington, and the District of Columbia, have established their own paid maternity leave policies. Among 41 countries studied, 20 allocate the majority of their paid leave to maternity leave, with six countries—Canada, Israel, Slovakia, Switzerland, Costa Rica, and New Zealand—offering fully paid maternity leave.

While many countries provide paid leave, the coverage and duration vary widely; for instance, Gambia and Djibouti guarantee six months, while Ethiopia and South Africa offer four months. In contrast, the U. S. lacks a national paid maternity leave law and is one of nine OECD countries without any leave policies for fathers. Currently, the average paid maternity leave across the OECD lasts 18. 5 weeks—much shorter than in Greece, which offers 43 weeks. The lack of a national policy in just a handful of countries highlights the disparities in parental leave provisions globally, while many nations continue to improve their maternity leave benefits.

How Long Is American Maternity Leave
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How Long Is American Maternity Leave?

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) mandates that eligible employees in the U. S. receive up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for events like the birth or adoption of a child. This law applies to both genders, ensuring that they can take time off without losing their jobs. While many companies do not offer paid maternity leave due to the lack of federal mandates, a few states, including California, New Jersey, and Rhode Island, have implemented paid family leave policies.

Unfortunately, only 14 states and Washington D. C. have established paid family leave systems, leaving many employees without financial support during this critical time. Typically, employees may use accrued vacation or sick leave in conjunction with FMLA, but the lack of a federal paid leave program means that many families struggle financially while on leave. Research indicates that paid parental leave significantly benefits parents, children, and society, yet broad support for such policies in the U.

S. has not led to substantial changes. Under FMLA, only certain companies with more than 50 employees are required to comply, which further limits access to maternity leave for many workers, often resulting in individuals returning to work after just six weeks.

What Maternity Allowances Are Available In Finland
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What Maternity Allowances Are Available In Finland?

In Finland, various allowances are available to expectant parents, including maternity, paternity, parental, and special maternity allowances, the latter of which is for those needing to stop work due to job-related risks. To qualify for these benefits, individuals must be covered by health insurance for 180 days preceding the child's birth. Permanent residents who are pregnant for at least 154 days are eligible for a maternity grant, which can be a cash benefit of 170 euros or a maternity package with baby items.

Maternity leave is defined as 105 working days, commencing 30 working days prior to the expected delivery and ending 75 days after. Parents can transfer a portion of their parental allowance days to each other, and both biological and adoptive parents are recognized. Daily allowances are determined based on the parent’s annual income and are generally payable for working days.

Expectant mothers are entitled to apply for maternity grants following a health examination during the first four months of pregnancy, alongside allowances when the child is born. Special maternity allowances can be paid from the beginning of pregnancy until eligibility for standard maternity allowances. During parental leave, Kela offers 320 weekdays of parental allowance for one child, with additional days for multiple births. The application process includes filling out forms, receiving assistance at maternity clinics, and submitting applications to Kela.


📹 Finland Maternity Leave


Freya Gardon

Hi, I’m Freya Gardon, a Collaborative Family Lawyer with nearly a decade of experience at the Brisbane Family Law Centre. Over the years, I’ve embraced diverse roles—from lawyer and content writer to automation bot builder and legal product developer—all while maintaining a fresh and empathetic approach to family law. Currently in my final year of Psychology at the University of Wollongong, I’m excited to blend these skills to assist clients in innovative ways. I’m passionate about working with a team that thinks differently, and I bring that same creativity and sincerity to my blog about family law.

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