The Netherlands: WIEG (Wet Invoering Extra Geboorteverlof – Introductory Legislation Extra Parental Leave): consid-erable parental leave changes for partners!

Now, partners receive two days paid parental leave after a child’s birth. From 1 January 2019, leave will be extended to five days (WIEG legislation). However, the majority of the European member states have recently voted for a European guideline that includes an extension to ten days parental leave (with a further six weeks paid parental leave).

In the coming period, negotiations will continue with the European Parliament and the European Commission regarding the exact regulations. In Brussels, Minister Koolmees voted against these European plans, but to no avail.

For the time being, we can assume the following from the WIEG legislation:

• From 1 January 2019, there will be five days parental leave. Partners may use the leave immediately. Alternately, the leave can also be spread out over the first four weeks after the birth;
• Beginning 1 July 2020, partners can take an additional five weeks parental leave in the first six months after the birth, in which they are entitled to payment amounting to 70% of their salary;
• From 1 January 2019, adoption and foster care leave for parents will be extended from four to six weeks.