What is maternity leave and what are you entitled to?

This article contains the terms and conditions valid for the Czech Republic.

Maternity leave is a period during which you can set work aside, focus fully on your baby, and receive financial support from the state. How long is maternity leave, how is it calculated financially, and who is eligible? What is the difference between maternity and parental leave? Here’s everything you need to know about maternity leave—without unnecessary legal jargon.

How Long Does Maternity Leave Last?

In the Czech Republic, maternity leave lasts 28 weeks for a single baby and 37 weeks for twins or multiple births. It begins 6 to 8 weeks before your due date, as determined in agreement with your doctor. The exact start date depends on the number of children you’re expecting! 🙂

When Does Maternity Leave End?

Maternity leave is just the beginning. After its completion (28 or 37 weeks), you can apply for parental leave, which lasts until your child turns 3 years old.
Maternity leave and parental leave are often confused but represent two distinct stages of childcare, each with its own rules and conditions. When applying for parental leave, the parent informs their employer of the intended duration.

Tip: Don’t forget to apply for parental allowance. Ideally, submit your application during your baby’s fourth month so the allowance starts right after the six-month maternity period ends.

Who Is Eligible for Maternity Leave?

Every employee has the right to maternity leave, and employers are required to grant it. However, when it comes to maternity benefit (PPM), certain conditions must be met:

1. You must have worked for at least 270 days in the past two years.
2. You must be employed or within the protection period (typically 180 days after the end of employment).

Maternity Leave for Fathers

Apart from the first six weeks after birth (reserved exclusively for the mother), the father of the child or the mother’s spouse may also be entitled to PPM. Fathers must meet the same insurance conditions as mothers and sign a written agreement with the mother stating that they will care for the child.

Fathers can also apply for parental allowance, but not beyond the child’s third birthday. Applications must be submitted at least 30 days before starting parental leave and specify the intended duration.

Maternity Leave for Self-Employed Individuals 

Self-employed individuals can also receive maternity benefits, provided they pay voluntary sickness insurance. Without this insurance, you are not eligible for PPM but can still claim parental allowance.

How Is Maternity Leave Calculated in 2024?

During maternity leave, you are entitled to maternity benefit (PPM). This benefit amounts to 70% of your daily assessment base, calculated from your average gross income over the last 12 months.

Example:
With a gross income of 30,000 CZK, you may receive around 21,000 CZK per month.
For a more precise calculation, use the maternity leave calculator on the CSSA website.

For self-employed individuals, the calculation is based on the total insurance base for the relevant period before the claim (provided voluntary sickness insurance has been paid).

Parental Allowance After Maternity Leave

After maternity leave, you can apply for parental allowance, which as of January 1, 2024, totals 350,000 CZK for a single child and 525,000 CZK for multiples. This allowance can be claimed until the child turns 4 years old.

• Monthly allowance: Parents can choose a monthly amount, up to 70% of the daily assessment base.
• Flexibility: You can adjust the amount every three months to suit your family’s needs. Parents can also share or simultaneously claim the allowance, as long as the total doesn’t exceed the maximum amount.

Tax Considerations

Maternity benefit (PPM) and parental allowance are non-taxable income and are not included in your tax return. However, if you earn additional income during maternity leave (e.g., part-time work, freelancing), this income must be declared.

Maternity Leave and Vacation Entitlement

Do you accrue vacation days during maternity leave? Yes! Maternity leave counts as work performance, so you are entitled to vacation days.

How it works:
If maternity leave covers at least 60 working days in a calendar year, you are entitled to the full vacation allowance for that year.

You can request vacation immediately after maternity leave and before starting parental leave.

Note: Parental leave does not count as work performance, so it does not accrue vacation days.

What About a Second Maternity Leave?

If you become pregnant during parental leave, your employment continues, and you are entitled to PPM for the second child. The benefit amount remains the same as before. You can then transition to parental leave.

For the second maternity leave, vacation entitlement follows the same rules: if it covers at least 60 working days in a calendar year, you are entitled to the full allowance for that year.

Conclusion

Maternity leave allows you to focus on caring for your newborn while receiving state financial support. It lasts several weeks (depending on the number of children), and you can transition to parental leave until your child turns 3. Employees who meet the conditions for maternity benefit are eligible, including self-employed individuals who voluntarily pay sickness insurance. During maternity leave, you can accrue vacation days, provided certain criteria are met. This process is a vital part of providing care and financial security for your child, with the flexibility to adjust the duration and amount of parental allowance to suit your family’s needs.