Paternity leave and paternity allowance
In connection with the birth of a child, a father may take 5–10 workdays (1–2 weeks, 6–12
days including Saturdays) of paternity leave while the mother is on maternity leave. The
father is also entitled to an additional five workdays of paternity leave during the maternity
or parental allowance period. For these periods, he receives paternity allowance. The paternity
allowance payable for the period of paternity leave is earnings-related like maternity
allowance.
Paternity leave has been gaining in popularity continuously. In 1997, almost 60% of fathers
of babies exercised their rights to paternity leave.