A father meeting the conditions of entitlement can replace his spouse for a share of the birth and parenthood period, or take a paternity leave for a period of 7 days, together with his spouse - on account of the days to which she is entitled. The period of birth and parenthood leave for both
spouses will not exceed 15 weeks.
You can take a period of birth and parenthood as follows:
Leaving for a birth and parenthood period together with the mother
You can stay with your spouse during the birth and parenthood period for 7 days, on account of your spouse's days of entitlement.
For instance: a mother entitled to a 15 weeks birth and parenthood period - should you stay with her for a week, the mother will be granted allowances for 14 weeks, and you for a week.
Please note, those days are deduced from the last week of the mother's birth and parenthood period, you will therefore not be able to stay with her during the last week of that period
- If you gave birth twins - you can be together with your spouse during the birth and parenthood leave for up to a 3 consecutive weeks period, on account of your spouse's days of entitlement.
- If you gave birth triplets - you can be together with your spouse during the birth and parenthood leave for up to a 5 consecutive weeks period, on account of your spouse's days of entitlement.
Please note, a birth and parenthood period taken by both parents together must occur within the female spouse's period of entitlement.
Replacing the mother during the birth and parenthood period
You can replace your spouse during the birth and parenthood period, only after 6 weeks had elapsed since the day of delivery, and as long as the duration of your replacement is 7 consecutive days at least.
For instance: your female spouse took a leave
during the 6 first weeks, then you took the remaining 9 weeks. You can also
split the leave: 8 weeks only, and one week together with you female spouse.
Important,
Replacement by the male spouse applies for the remaining period of leave, and the spouses will not be able to switch again.
For your information,
Whether the mother is not able to care for her newborn due to her health (based on a physician advice) - you will be allowed to replace her at any stage of the birth and parenthood period, however, in any case, that period of replacement shall be of 7 consecutive days at least.
Please note that if your spouse is entitled to a partial maternity leave (of 56 days), you could replace her during the maternity leave for a period of 14 days only after 42 pays had passed since childbirth.