Multiple birth (more than one child)
A woman who gives birth to more than one baby in one birth is entitled to extend her maternity leave (the regular maternity leave is 14 weeks, of which 7 weeks, at most, can be taken before the due date of the birth, and the rest after the date of the birth) and receive an additional maternity allowance for the extended time, as follows:
A woman who is entitled to a maternity allowance for 14 weeks is entitled to extend the maternity leave by 3 weeks for each additional baby that was born. In other words, a woman who gave birth to twins is entitled to maternity leave and maternity allowance for 17 weeks. A woman who gave birth to triplets is entitled to 20 weeks, and so forth.
A woman who is entitled to a maternity allowance for 7 weeks is entitled to extend her maternity leave by 2 weeks for each additional baby that was born. In other words, a woman who gave birth to twins is entitled to maternity leave and maternity allowance for 9 weeks, a woman who gave birth to triplets is entitled to 11 weeks, and so forth.
Hospitalization of the newborn or the new mother
A new mother who requires, or whose newborn requires, further hospitalization or who must be rehospitalized during her regular maternity leave for at least 15 days, is entitled to extend her maternity leave for the period of the hospitalization, up to a maximum of 4 additional weeks, and to receive an additional maternity allowance for the time of the extension. A new mother who is entitled to a partial maternity allowance (for 7 weeks) is entitled to extend her maternity leave for a maximum of two additional weeks.
Extended hospitalization of the newborn
A new mother whose newborn must be hospitalized for 6 or more weeks is entitled to another extension of her maternity leave in addition to the extension specified in the above section “Hospitalization of the newborn or the new mother:”
|
Period of hospitalization |
Extension of leave in addition
to the extension specified above |
|
At least 6 weeks |
1 week |
|
At least 8 weeks |
2 weeks |
|
At least 10 weeks |
3 weeks |
|
At least 12 weeks |
4 weeks |
Splitting the maternity leave due to hospitalization of the newborn
A new mother who requires, or whose newborn requires, further hospitalization or who must be rehospitalized during her regular maternity leave for at least 15 days, is entitled to split her maternity leave as follows: at least 3 weeks after the date of the birth, and the rest no later than the date on which the newborn leaves the hospital. Upon the new mother's return to work (at the end of at least three weeks from the date of the birth), payment of the maternity allowance will cease and the balance of the maternity allowance will be paid upon resumption of the maternity leave.
It is recommended to split up the maternity leave only after at least 4 weeks have elapsed since the birth, in order not to harm one's right to extension of the leave, since entitlement to extension is conditional on one's being on maternity leave.
Submitting a claim for payment for the extension or splitting of the maternity leave
A new mother who extended or split her maternity leave due to her own hospitalization or the hospitalization of her newborn must fill out the form Claim for the extension or splitting of maternity leave / vacation pay for adopting mother, and send it as soon as possible to the National Insurance Institute.
Authorization from the hospital containing the details of the new mother and the newborn and the time of hospitalization must be attached to the form.
A salaried employee must submit certification from her employer regarding the extension or splitting of the maternity leave. A self-employed worker must submit a written declaration.