If you have had or received a child on or after 1 April 2026
See the maternity/paternity leave guide and the administrative basis (medst.dk) for details (available in Danish only).
You are considered a single parent if the child has only one legal parent at the time of birth or adoption/reception, such as:
- When the other parent has died before birth,
- When a single mother has had a child with an unknown donor by assisted reproduction,
- When a single father has had a child with the help of a foreign surrogate mother, or
- When a sole adopter adopts.
As a solo parent, you are entitled to 22 extra weeks of leave with maternity/paternity benefit, in addition to the 24 weeks of leave with benefit to which you already qualify. Thus, you have a total of 46 weeks of leave with maternity/paternity benefit after the birth/receipt.
The 22 weeks of extra leave must be taken before the child’s first birthday or within 1 year after receiving the child; however, with the possibility of extension and postponement, so that the leave can be taken before the child’s 9th birthday, in accordance with the general conditions and rules on this.
Pay during leave of absence
As a single parent, you are entitled to pay in accordance with the rules set out in the government’s maternity agreement.
In addition, single parents are entitled to a further 10 weeks’ pay (out of the total 22 weeks) during leave of absence following the 10th week after the birth or adoption of the child.
This entitlement to additional pay applies to children born or taken into care on 1 April 2026 or later.
The entitlement to pay is subject to meeting the requirements for reimbursement of daily allowance.
Transfer of leave to close family members
As a single parent, under the rules of the Maternity and Paternity Leave Act, you may transfer part of your non-earmarked leave of absence to a close family member, such as grandparents or siblings.
If the other parent has died, leave of absence may also be transferred to the deceased parent’s parents or siblings.
The close family member must take the leave of absence within the time limits set out in the Maternity Leave Act. This can be discussed in more detail with HR, as there are a number of requirements that must be met.
In the case of the death of one parent, it is possible to transfer leave weeks to the parents or siblings of the deceased. The related family member must take the leave before the child’s first birthday.
