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Updated July 22, 2026
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Denmark changed several parental leave details for children born or adopted on or after 2 August 2022. If you work in Denmark and are planning a child (or already have one), read the short steps and practical traps below – especially if you are an expat juggling contracts, family reunification or international travel.
- Rules cited apply to children born or adopted on or after 2 August 2022.
- Eligibility is tied to working and living in Denmark; check borger.dk for official guidance.
- Some weeks are reserved for each parent and some can be shared – the exact allocation depends on the reform and your workplace agreement.
- Notify your employer early and apply for benefits through borger.dk or Udbetaling Danmark; timelines matter.
Who is entitled to parental leave in Denmark?
Most employees with a Danish employment relationship are eligible for parental leave and parental benefits (barselsdagpenge) provided they live and work in Denmark. That includes full-time, part-time, fixed-term and marginal contracts – and often trainees or interns who are formally employed.
Non-resident visitors, short-term students stationed in Denmark only for study leave, or people without a Danish employment link will generally not qualify. If you are self-employed or unemployed the rules differ and entitlement can depend on prior work history and contributions.
If you are an international worker, your right to leave usually depends on where you pay social contributions and where you live. For many expats this means that if you live and work in Denmark you will be able to apply for parental benefits – see the section on international workers below.
How much allowance do parents receive in Denmark?
How much you get while on leave depends on two things: the statutory benefits you can claim through the public system and any top-up pay your employer provides in your contract or collective agreement.
- If your employer pays full salary during leave, you typically continue to receive your normal pay (subject to your contract).
- Where the employer does not pay, you can apply for the state parental allowance (barselsdagpenge). The amount and duration are calculated on your employment level and pay history.
Practical step: read your employment contract and the collective agreement (if any) to see if your employer offers top-up pay. If not, apply for parental benefits via borger.dk in good time.
Do families of international workers also receive a parental allowance in Denmark?
If you live and work in Denmark, you usually qualify for parental benefits even if you are not a Danish citizen. This includes citizens of other Nordic countries and many EU/EEA nationals who pay into the Danish social system. If you are posted to Denmark temporarily or commute across borders, entitlement depends on where you pay social contributions and specific bilateral rules.
If you are applying for a work permit in Denmark, clarify your social security status early – it affects eligibility for parental benefits and other family-related payments like child benefit.
What does the parental leave process entail in Denmark?
The application and notification process is straightforward but timing and documentation matter. Below are the typical steps most parents follow.
- Tell your employer about the pregnancy and planned leave dates as early as possible – employers expect notice so they can plan cover.
- Check your employment contract and any collective agreement for pay during leave and top-up arrangements.
- Apply for parental benefits (barselsdagpenge) through borger.dk or Udbetaling Danmark – include proof of employment, your CPR number and the child’s expected or actual birth date.
- Keep copies of correspondence and approval documents; confirm with payroll how to handle any employer top-up.
Maternal leave includes
Under the updated rules that apply from 2 August 2022, mothers have a block of leave that must include a compulsory period before the expected date of birth plus days immediately after birth. Employers cannot normally require you to return to work during that compulsory period.
Practical notes:
- Document the expected due date with a medical certificate if required by your local job or benefits office.
- If complications delay or extend hospital stays, inform your employer and benefits office right away.
Parental leave includes
After the initial maternity period, parents have additional weeks they can use as parental leave. Some weeks are reserved for each parent and some can be shared between parents. How you split them is a mix of statutory rules and any workplace agreement.
If you and the other parent live together and both work, you can often take leave at the same time for some or all of the parental period, but there are reserved weeks intended to ensure both parents take part in early childcare.
Can you transfer your parental leave to someone else?
The state design of the leave system encourages both parents to take specific portions of leave, so total weeks are distributed between parents with limited transferability. In special situations (adoption, illness, single parents, guardians) weeks can be allocated differently – the rules vary and often require documentation.
If you want to transfer weeks between parents, raise this with your employer and submit the necessary forms when you apply for benefits. Some employers will refuse full transfer if it would exceed the statutory or company limits.
Are there any special rules for parental leave in Denmark?
The reform explicitly covers a range of family situations: adoptive parents, same-sex parents, solo parents and close relatives acting as primary caregivers can qualify for parental benefits in many circumstances. The exact entitlement depends on legal parenthood or formal guardianship.
Also note these common caveats:
- If you are posted abroad by a Danish employer, your situation may be handled differently.
- There are rules around taking leave while receiving other social benefits – always check before you travel or start a new job.
If you don’t apply in time or don’t meet residency/work conditions, you can lose entitlement to parts of the leave. Always confirm with Udbetaling Danmark or local municipality well before the child’s first birthday.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is paid paternity leave in Denmark?
There is a period around birth reserved for fathers/partners (often referred to as paternity leave or fædreorlov). The exact length and whether the pay is full salary or parental allowance depends on the statutory allocation and your employer’s top-up policy.
Can both parents take parental leave at the same time in Denmark?
Yes – parents who live together and both work can often take some or all of their parental leave simultaneously, but some weeks are reserved for individual parents and cannot be fully transferred. Plan with your employer and apply early so payroll knows when you will be away.
Can you travel during parental leave?
Travel is usually permitted as long as you and the child maintain your legal residence and meet any reporting obligations for the benefits scheme. If you travel long-term or move abroad, tell Udbetaling Danmark – your entitlement may change.
Does parental leave need to be consecutive?
Parts of the leave can often be split into blocks, but there are deadlines by which certain weeks must be used (for example, around the first months of life). Check the allocation calendar when you apply and get confirmation in writing from the benefits office.
Tip: Keep digital copies of your employment contract, payslips for the last 6 months and your child’s birth certificate or adoption papers. These documents speed up the benefits application.
Contact your HR and then check your eligibility and apply for parental benefits on borger.dk. If you are an expat, also verify your social security status while you have your work permit in Denmark paperwork to hand and consider how parental leave will affect childcare plans like daycare in Denmark.