Maternity and parental leave

Maternity leave Luxembourg

Expecting a child is an incredible time in a woman's life. In addition to the intense emotions and many questions experienced by parents, they must prepare for the birth of their future baby and undertake numerous administrative formalities.

Motherhood and parenthood are even more important during expatriation. It's important to feel supported. Find out more about maternity and parental leave in Luxembourg.

Steps to take before the birth of a child in Luxembourg

The birth of a baby changes the life of the mother-to-be and the balance of the family. To prepare as well as possible for the arrival of a new member of the family, here are the steps to take before the birth, particularly with regard to your employer if you live and work in Luxembourg.

Informing your employer of your pregnancy

Pregnant women enjoy special protection in Luxembourg as soon as their employer is informed of their pregnancy. The new mother is supported at work until the end of her child's breast-feeding period.

To benefit from this special status, the mother-to-be must inform her employer of her pregnancy. This must be done at least 12 weeks before the birth.

Informing her current employer of her pregnancy

The mother-to-be must provide her employer with a medical certificate attesting to her state of pregnancy and notifying the expected date of delivery. This medical certificate, obtained from a doctor, may be sent by registered post or delivered by hand to the employer against signature and date of receipt. The employer will forward this medical certificate to the relevant Caisse de Maladie for information.

Information about pregnancy when looking for work in Luxembourg

Pregnant women are not required to disclose their pregnancy during the recruitment process. In the case of a permanent contract with a trial period, the trial period is suspended for the duration of the pregnancy, until the employee goes on maternity leave. The trial period will resume 12 weeks after childbirth.

Find out more about parental leave below.

Medical examinations during pregnancy in Luxembourg

In Luxembourg, a number of medical check-ups are scheduled for pregnant women, to ensure proper monitoring of their pregnancy.

Prenatal check-ups can be carried out during working hours, without loss of pay:

  • Dental examination before the end of the 5th month of pregnancy
  • 1st medical examination before the end of the 3rd month of pregnancy
  • 2nd medical examination before the end of the 4th month
  • 3rd medical examination before the end of the 6th month
  • 4th medical examination at the beginning of the 8th month
  • 5th to early 9th month.

If necessary, further visits may be prescribed by the doctor in charge of monitoring the pregnancy.

Theoretical and practical courses for pregnant women in Luxembourg

Hospitals and maternity wards in Luxembourg offer information courses and practical exercises in preparation for childbirth and support for pregnant women.

Haptonomy for childbirth preparation in Luxembourg

Haptonomy, from the Greek hapsis / haptein (touch, connection) and nomos (rule), is the science of affectivity and human relationships. As such, it is a highly appreciated method of childbirth preparation for future parents.

These sessions are designed for both parents, from the twentieth week of pregnancy. They help to establish reassuring communication between the child and the future parents.

Hypnosis for pregnant women

Hypnosis sessions can be offered to pregnant women. They offer support in quitting smoking, reducing the stress of childbirth, increasing comfort by reducing the aches and pains of pregnancy, or initiating the baby's change of position.

Sports activities for pregnant women

Being pregnant doesn't mean stopping all physical activity. Pregnant women can take prenatal classes in yoga, gymnastics or aqua aerobics. Find out more at your local sports club.

Protection for pregnant and breast-feeding women in Luxembourg

In Luxembourg, pregnant women are protected in the workplace.

If necessary, during pregnancy, a woman can have her working hours or workstation temporarily adjusted, in agreement with the occupational physician.

This adjustment to working hours will be made without loss of pay. If a pregnant or breast-feeding woman is excused from work for medical reasons, the Caisse de Maladie will pay her an allowance to compensate for the loss of income resulting from her absence from work.

Furthermore, a pregnant or breast-feeding woman cannot be dismissed with notice. This applies from the moment the employer becomes aware of the pregnancy until 12 weeks after the birth. It should be noted that dismissal for serious misconduct may apply.

Follow-up and medical check-ups after childbirth

Postnatal home visits for new mothers

After childbirth, liberal midwives are available to support young mothers.

If the young mother leaves the maternity hospital no later than four days after giving birth, a private midwife can visit her at home until the child's tenth day, depending on the mother's needs and availability. These visits are paid for by the health insurance companies.

If the young mother returns home after four days in the maternity hospital and beyond the 10th day after the birth, only a midwife consultation is reimbursed.

In the event of a problem, a midwife can always intervene with the young mother. A doctor's prescription is required for this visit to be reimbursed.

Some liberal midwives also offer private consultations to help with breastfeeding or baby massage...

Please note that the day the child is born counts as "day zero".

A visit to the young mother's gynecologist

The young mother should schedule a visit to the gynecologist six to eight weeks after giving birth. The purpose of this visit is to check on the young mother's state of health.

If necessary, the gynecologist can also prescribe perineal re-education sessions with a physiotherapist.

Have you just given birth? What kind of care do you need for your baby? 

Maternity leave and benefits in Luxembourg

To be eligible for maternity leave, the employee must have paid Social Security contributions for at least 6 months in the last 12 months.

In Luxembourg, maternity leave breaks down as follows:

  • Prenatal leave 8 weeks before due date
  • Postnatal leave 12 weeks after the date of delivery. In the event of premature birth, the leave not taken before the birth is added to the postnatal leave, up to a maximum of 20 weeks. In the event of birth after the due date, postnatal leave cannot be reduced.

Maternity leave entitles the employee to the usual annual leave. These will be carried over to the end of maternity leave.
Maternity leave gives rise to the employee's seniority.
Maternity leave pay is covered by the National Health Fund up to the gross salary of the previous months, subject to a ceiling of 5 times the minimum wage.

A birth certificate must be sent to the CNS as soon as possible after the birth.

How do I register the birth of a newborn in Luxembourg?

Return to work for young mothers and breastfeeding at work

Breastfeeding mothers are entitled to a breastfeeding break of 2 x 45 minutes per working day, as soon as they return to work after maternity leave.

For further information and special cases, visit the Caisse Nationale de Santé website.

At the end of her maternity leave, an employee can terminate her employment contract without notice to take care of her child.

She is then given priority for re-employment for one year if the company opens a recruitment procedure for a position for which she has the necessary qualifications.

Mother's Day is traditionally celebrated on the second Sunday in June in Luxembourg. It does not give rise to vacations.

Parental leave in Luxembourg

Who can apply for parental leave?

After the birth or adoption of a child, both parents can take parental leave for the same child under the following conditions:

  • they have been affiliated to the Luxembourg social security system for 12 continuous months, without an interruption of more than 7 days, prior to the start of the parental leave
  • work contract(s) must total a minimum of 10 hours' work per week
  • they must have an employment contract for the duration of their parental leave.

Parental leave is accompanied by an allowance paid by the Caisse pour l'Avenir des Enfants to replace suspended professional income.

Length of parental leave in Luxembourg

In Luxembourg, each parent can apply for parental leave, to be taken only once for each child:

  • or the 1st parental leave to be taken following maternity or fostering leave
  • or the 2nd parental leave to be taken before the child's 6th birthday (12th birthday in the case of an adopted child).

Applicants can take flexible parental leave. For example, a full-time employee working 40 hours a week can take parental leave of :

  • Full-time leave for 4 or 6 months
  • Half-time leave for 8 or 12 months
  • Fractional leave of 4 months for a maximum period of 20 months or 1 day per week for a maximum period of 20 months

Where can I apply for parental leave?

The request for parental leave must be sent by the employee to his/her employer at least 2 months before the start of maternity leave.

The self-employed worker will apply directly to CAE (Caisse pour l'Avenir des Enfants) within the same timeframe.

For further information and special cases, visit cae.public.lu .

Find out more about birth and family allowances.

For all other questions about employment in Luxembourg.

Center for pregnant women and young parents : Initiativ Liewensufank

Initiativ Liewensufank is a counseling center for expectant and new parents. Here they can ask questions about pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and parenthood.

This institute was set up to improve family conditions around childbirth by providing information and advice from professionals.
Free information and consultation (by phone or email) on all issues relating to pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, life with babies, etc.

Opening hours: Monday-Friday, 8.00am-12.00pm

www.liewensufank.lu Email: info@liewensufank.lu Telephone: +352 36 05 97

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