The first 10 weeks after the birth
As a parent, you are entitled to leave with pay during the first 10 weeks after the child’s birth.
If there are two parents, you can generally take the leave one at a time. However, you may take leave with pay at the same time for up to 2 consecutive weeks within the first 10 weeks after the birth. By agreement with SDU, the 2 weeks may be taken separately.
Parental leave after week 10
After the 10th week after the birth, each parent is entitled to pay for 10 of the 32 weeks of parental leave.
In addition, there is entitlement to pay for 8 weeks, which can be shared between the parents. If both parents are covered by the state's maternity agreement, the 8 weeks together may only be used once. The parents may freely choose how the 8 weeks are divided between them.
The paid leave after week 10 may be placed within the first 10 weeks after the birth if the parents wish.
Multiple births
In the case of the birth of two or more live-born children, each parent is entitled to an additional 13 weeks of leave with pay.
Single parent
If the child has only one legal parent at the time of birth, the parent is entitled to an additional 10 weeks of paid leave during the parental leave period.
Pension during unpaid leave
The usual pension contribution is paid during periods of unpaid leave where, under the maternity agreement, there is entitlement to pension accrual.
What do you need to do?
If your parenthood is established on the basis of a surrogacy agreement, we recommend that you contact SDU HR as early as possible. We will help clarify your rights to leave, pay and pension, as well as the specific planning of your leave period.
If you are going to be a surrogate
No later than 3 months before the expected date of birth, you must state when you expect to begin your pregnancy leave.
As soon as the child is born, you must notify SDU HR, Employees via hcm-fravaer@sdu.dk, so that the leave can be reported to Udbetaling Danmark.
No later than 6 weeks after the birth, you must notify us how you wish to use your other leave options. The notification must be sent to SDU HR, Employees via hcm-fravaer@sdu.dk, after which a maternity leave plan will be prepared and sent to you for approval, signature and return.
Pregnancy leave
You are entitled to 6 weeks of pregnancy leave with pay from the point when it is estimated that there are 6 weeks until the birth. Your due date is included in the pregnancy leave period.
If you give birth earlier than expected, your pregnancy leave will be shorter than 6 weeks. If you give birth later than expected, your pregnancy leave will be longer than 6 weeks. However, this will not affect your right to pay during pregnancy leave, nor will it otherwise result in any reduction of the maternity leave to which you are entitled after the birth.
By agreement with your immediate manager, you may work part-time during pregnancy leave. If you do not use all 6 weeks, the remaining weeks/days cannot be used to extend the leave after the birth.
Maternity leave
After the birth, you are entitled to 10 weeks of leave with maternity benefits.
Pay
As the mother, you are entitled to 6 weeks of pregnancy leave with pay from the point when it is estimated that there are 6 weeks until the birth (6 weeks before the due date).
In addition, you are entitled to full pay during maternity leave, which is the 10 weeks immediately following the birth.