On 26 April 2023, an amendment to the Labour Code came into force, introducing an additional 9 weeks of parental leave. The new amount of parental leave is 41 or 43 weeks. Parents of a child which has a certificate under the "pro-life" act can take up to 65 weeks or 67 weeks of parental leave. The amount of the leave depends on the number of children born at one birth.

Within the above limit, each employee-parent has the exclusive right to use 9 weeks. The regulations do not provide for the possibility of transferring “your" portion of the leave to the other parent. The remaining portion of parental leave can be shared by the employee-parents in any configuration.

Parental leave can be taken by parents simultaneously, at the same time. However, the total amount cannot exceed the overall amount of the leave. Leave may be granted in up to 5 parts. It can be used until the end of the calendar year in which the child turns 6.

Parental leave is granted on the employee’s request submitted no later than 21 days before the start of the leave. The request can be submitted in writing, as well as electronically.

Find more in the PRO HR May 2023