On 26 April 2023, an amendment to the Labour Code implementing the EU Work-Life Balance Directive will come into force. One of the changes is the shortening of the period for taking paternity leave.

According to the new regulations, an employee being a father raising a child is entitled to paternity leave for no longer, however, than until the child turns 12 months old or until the expiration of 12 months from the date on which the decision declaring the adoption of the child becomes final, and no longer than until the child turns 14 years old. Previously, an employee-father could take additional leave up to the 24th month of the child's life or 24 months from the date the decision declaring the adoption of the child became final. The length of paternity leave remains unchanged at 2 weeks, which can be taken once or in no more than two parts. However, one part must not be shorter than one week. The employee should submit the application no later than 7 days prior to the scheduled commencement of the leave. The employer is obliged to grant leave on the date indicated by the employee.

Employees who are fathers raising a child who, on the effective date of the amendment, are entitled to paternity leave under the previous rules may take the additional leave no longer than until the child turns 24 months old or 14 years old, provided that 24 months have not passed from the date on which the decision declaring the adoption of that child became final.

Find more in the PRO HR April 2023