Parental leave planner
See how you can split the 48 weeks of parental leave with parental benefit (barselsdagpenge) in Denmark, and which dates to keep an eye on. Applies to children born from 2 August 2022, when the parents live together.
Your first year, week by week
The plan shows one typical order: both take the first 2 weeks together, the mother continues, and the father or co-mother takes the rest afterwards. You can also take leave at the same time, part-time or postpone weeks.
Dates you need to know
How the rules work
How many weeks?
Each parent is entitled to 24 weeks of leave with parental benefit after the birth, 48 weeks in total. The mother also has 4 weeks before the due date. A single parent can get up to 46 weeks. The rules apply to children born from 2 August 2022.
Earmarked weeks
For employees, 11 of each parent's own weeks are earmarked: 2 weeks around the birth and 9 weeks that must be taken before the child turns 1. Earmarked weeks cannot be given to the other parent and are lost if they are not used. The father or co-mother must take the 2 weeks within the first 10 weeks after the birth.
Weeks that can be transferred
The remaining 13 weeks can be transferred to the other parent. If a parent is not an employee, for example self-employed, unemployed or a student, only the 2 weeks around the birth are earmarked, and up to 22 weeks can be transferred. For the mother the exact number depends on the situation, so check with the Ministry of Employment (Beskæftigelsesministeriet) before you plan around it.
Telling your employer
The mother must tell her employer the expected date of birth with 3 months' notice. The father or co-mother must tell the employer no later than 4 weeks before the due date if they want to take leave within the first 10 weeks after the birth. For leave later than that, the employer must be told within 6 weeks after the birth, with the start and length of the leave.
Apply for parental benefit
If you receive pay during your leave, your application must reach Udbetaling Danmark, the Danish public benefits agency, no later than 8 weeks after your pay has stopped.
Frequently asked questions
How many weeks of parental leave do we get in total?
48 weeks with parental benefit after the birth, 24 for each parent. The mother also has 4 weeks before the due date. A single parent can get up to 46 weeks.
Which weeks are earmarked?
For employees, 11 weeks for each parent: 2 weeks around the birth and 9 weeks that must be taken before the child turns 1. They cannot be transferred and are lost if they are not used. If you are not an employee, only the 2 weeks around the birth are earmarked.
How many weeks can we split freely?
If you are both employees, up to 13 weeks can be transferred from one parent to the other. The calculator at the top shows what the split looks like when you move the slider.
When do I need to tell my employer?
The mother no later than 3 months before the due date. The father or co-mother no later than 4 weeks before the due date if the leave falls within the first 10 weeks after the birth. Leave later than that is reported within 6 weeks after the birth. The planner shows the dates from your due date.
When must the father or co-mother take the first 2 weeks?
Within the first 10 weeks after the birth. Most take them right after the birth, so they can be with the child from the start.
Can we postpone some of the leave?
Yes, part of the leave can be postponed. The Ministry of Employment mentions up to 5 weeks, which must be taken before the child turns 9. Agree it with your employer in good time, and check the current rules before you plan around it.
How do I apply for parental benefit?
Through Udbetaling Danmark. If you receive pay during your leave, the application must be there no later than 8 weeks after your pay has stopped. You can only apply once you have received a letter from Udbetaling Danmark.
Do the rules also apply to children born before August 2022?
No. The older parental leave rules apply, with a different split of the weeks. You can find them on borger.dk.