How long is parental leave in the Czech Republic?

In the Czech Republic, both mothers and fathers may be eligible for parental leave up to their child's 3rd birthday, with the possibility to extend to the child’s 4th birthday if the employer agrees.

What are the eligibility rules for parental leave in the Czech Republic?

In the Czech Republic, employees are entitled to parental leave to care for a child. The employer must provide parental leave until the child reaches 3 years old, with the possibility of extending it to the child’s 4th birthday, subject to employer agreement.

Starting from 2025, employees on parental leave can work for their employer under work agreements (Dohoda o pracovní činnosti [DPČ]/Dohoda o provedení práce [DPP]), even in the same type of work, allowing increased flexibility without ending their parental leave status.

Eligible parents working either full-time or part-time can receive parental benefits. Both parents are allowed to take parental leave simultaneously, but only one parent can receive the parental benefit at any given time.

How is parental leave payment calculated in the Czech Republic?

Parental leave payment in the Czech Republic is determined through the parental allowance system. The key aspects of this system are as follows:

Parental Allowance

• Eligibility: A parent who personally and duly cares for the youngest child in the family is entitled to parental allowance until the total amount of CZK 300,000 is drawn, with a maximum period extending up to 4 years of the child’s age. For twins or multiple children born at the same time, the total amount increases to CZK 450,000.

• Calculation Method: The monthly amount of parental allowance is based on the daily assessment base used for determining maternity or sickness benefits related to childbirth or adoption according to the sickness insurance act. If at least one parent in the family participates in sickness insurance, the allowance can reach up to 70% of 30 times the daily assessment base (maximum CZK 47,700 in 2022). If both parents have a determinable daily assessment base, the higher one is used for calculation. If neither parent has a daily assessment base, they may elect a monthly amount up to CZK 13,000.

• Adjustments for Multiple Births: In the case of twins or multiple children born at the same time, the monthly amounts are adjusted accordingly.

• Flexibility in Selection: The amount of parental allowance can be chosen by the parents and can be changed every 3 months.

Conditions for Receiving the Allowance:

• A child under 2 years old attends a crèche or similar facility for a maximum of 92 hours per month.
• A child attends a remedial care center, crèche, kindergarten, or similar facility for disabled preschool children for no more than 4 hours a day.
• A child of disabled parents attends a crèche, kindergarten, or similar facility for preschool children for no more than 4 hours a day.
• A disabled child attends a crèche, kindergarten, or similar facility for preschool children for no more than 6 hours a day.

Parent's income is not tested for eligibility, thus allowing parents to undertake occupational activities without losing entitlement to the parental allowance. However, during these activities, the child must be in the care of another adult.

What is the process for applying for paternity leave in the Czech Republic?

To apply for paternity leave in the Czech Republic, the insured employee must submit a completed written form. The eligibility criteria for paternity leave include:

• The employee begins caring for a child under the age of 6 weeks or takes a child into care that replaces parental care based on the decision of a competent authority. This also applies if the child in care has not reached the age of 7 at the time of assuming care.
• The employee is eligible for paternity leave if the child, of whom he is the father, was stillborn or died within 6 weeks of the date of birth.

Supported employees in the Czech Republic must notify Velocity Global via email in advance to have the appropriate Paid Time Off (PTO) policy assigned to their profile. After the correct policy is assigned, employees may submit a request for paternity leave within 2 weeks of the policy being applied to their profile.

How long is maternity leave in the Czech Republic?

Female employees in the Czech Republic are entitled to:

• 28 weeks of maternity leave (37 weeks in cases of multiple births).
• It is mandatory to take 14 weeks of leave, including at least 6 weeks after the birth.
• Maternity leave may begin no earlier than the beginning of the 8th week before the expected date of birth.

What are the eligibility rules for maternity leave in the Czech Republic?

In the Czech Republic, for a female employee to be eligible for maternity leave and the associated cash maternity benefit, the following criteria must be met:

• The employee must be participating in sickness insurance.
• The employee should have completed 270 days of covered employment within the two years prior to the start of maternity leave.

How is maternity leave payment calculated in the Czech Republic?

Employees on maternity leave in the Czech Republic receive approximately 70% of their salary from the state.

What is the process for applying for maternity leave in the Czech Republic?

In the Czech Republic, the process for applying for maternity leave includes the following steps:

• Eligibility: The mother must be insured under the sickness insurance system and must give birth in the Czech Republic, which is a mandatory requirement.

• Notifying the Employer: The employee is required to notify the employer of the intended start of maternity leave at least 30 days in advance.

• Submit Medical Certificate: A medical certificate that confirms the pregnancy and the expected birth date must be submitted.

• Duration: Maternity leave lasts for 28 weeks, or 37 weeks in the case of twins.

• Payment: During maternity leave, the employee receives maternity benefits from the Czech Social Security Administration (CSSA), which are typically around 70% of their average earnings.

• Return to Work: After the maternity leave period, the mother has the right to return to work, and the employer is obligated to offer her a suitable position.

How long is the paternity leave in the Czech Republic?

In the Czech Republic, male employees are entitled to 2 weeks of paid paternity leave. This leave must be taken within the first 6 weeks following the birth or adoption of a child.

What are the eligibility rules for paternity leave in the Czech Republic?

In the Czech Republic, fathers are eligible for paternity leave if they meet the following requirements:

• They must be participating in sickness insurance.
• Their name must be listed on the child's birth certificate.
• Paternity leave must be taken within six weeks of the child's birth or adoption, with the start date chosen by each parent as required.
• If the child is hospitalized for health reasons, either for the child or the child's mother, the period for taking paternity leave is extended by the duration of the hospitalization.

Parents do not need to be married to qualify for paternity leave.

How is paternity leave payment calculated in the Czech Republic?

In the Czech Republic, the amount of paternity benefits is calculated as 70% of the "reduced daily assessment basis" for a calendar day starting from the first calendar day.