I'm a new father and want to take parental leave. How much am I entitled to?

What the Law Says

The EU’s Parental Leave Directive, as amended by Directive (EU) 2019/1158, sets minimum standards for paternity and parental leave across all Member States. National laws must meet or exceed these standards, but cannot fall below them.

All EU Member States must provide new fathers with at least 10 working days of paternity leave around the time of birth. This leave must be paid at least at the level of sick pay or other comparable benefits — many countries provide full salary replacement.

Each parent is entitled to at least 4 months of parental leave, which can be taken until the child reaches a nationally defined age (usually up to 8 years old). Crucially, at least 2 of those 4 months are non-transferable — meaning they can only be used by the parent to whom they are allocated, ensuring fathers have a guaranteed right to take time off.

The Directive also requires that at least 1 month of parental leave is paid, though Member States may set higher payment levels. Employers must guarantee the right to return to the same or equivalent job after leave.

Statutory Text

Member States shall ensure that fathers or second parents are entitled to paternity leave of at least 10 working days, to be taken around the time of birth.

— Directive (EU) 2019/1158, Art. 2(1)(a)

Statutory Text

Each parent shall have a right to parental leave of at least four months, two of which shall not be transferable.

— Directive (EU) 2019/1158, Art. 2(1)(b)

Statutory Text

Member States shall ensure that at least one month of parental leave is paid.

— Directive (EU) 2019/1158, Art. 2(3)

Sources