Maternity and parental leave

Expecting a child is an incredible time for future parents. Between the intense emotions and the many questions parents face, they must prepare for the birth of their future baby and undertake numerous administrative procedures.

Motherhood and parenthood are even more important when living abroad. It is important to feel supported. Here is some more information about maternity and parental leave in Luxembourg.

Steps to take before the birth of a child in Luxembourg

The birth of a baby turns the life of the mother-to-be and the balance of the family upside down. To best prepare for the arrival of a new family member, here are the steps you should 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 in Luxembourg enjoy special protection once their employer has been informed of their pregnancy. New mothers receive support in the workplace until they have finished breastfeeding their child.

To benefit from this special status, the expectant mother must inform her employer of her pregnancy. This information must be provided at least 12 weeks before the due date.

Informing your current employer of your pregnancy

The expectant mother must provide her employer with a medical certificate confirming her pregnancy andstating the expected date of delivery. This medical certificate, obtained from a doctor, can be sent by registered mail or handed to the employer in person against signature and date of receipt. The employer will forward this medical certificate to the relevant health insurance fund for information.

It is important to fully understand the guidelines regarding sick leave and leave of absence for employees in Luxembourg. For a complete overview of your rights and obligations, please refer to the conditions for taking a sick day without a certificate in Luxembourg.

Informing your employer of your pregnancy when looking for work in Luxembourg

During the recruitment process, a pregnant woman is not required to disclose her condition. In the case of a permanent contract with a probationary period, the probationary period is suspended for the duration of the pregnancy until the start of maternity leave. The probationary period will resume 12 weeks after the birth.

You will find more information about parental leave below.

Medical examinations during pregnancy in Luxembourg

In Luxembourg, a number of medical appointments are scheduled for pregnant women to ensure proper monitoring of the pregnancy.

Prenatal medical appointments may be taken during working hours without loss of pay:

• Dental examination before the end of the fifth month of pregnancy
• First medical examination before the end of the third month of pregnancy
• 2nd medical examination before the end of the 4th month
• Third medical examination before the end of the sixth month
• 4th medical examination at the beginning of the 8th month
• Fifth at the beginning of the ninth month.

If necessary, additional visits may be prescribed by the doctor responsible for monitoring the pregnancy.

Theoretical and practical classes for pregnant women in Luxembourg

Hospitals and maternity wards offer theoretical information courses and practical exercises to prepare for childbirth or support pregnant women in Luxembourg.

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. It is a method of preparing for childbirth that is very popular with expectant parents.

These sessions are intended for both parents, starting in the twentieth week of pregnancy. It helps establish reassuring communication between the child and the parents-to-be.

Hypnosis for pregnant women

Hypnosis sessions can be offered to pregnant women. They provide support to help them stop smoking, reduce the stress of childbirth, increase their comfort by reducing pregnancy discomforts, or even initiate a change in the baby's position.

Sports activities for pregnant women

Being pregnant does not mean you have to stop all physical activity. Pregnant women can take prenatal yoga, gymnastics, or aquagym classes. Ask your local sports clubs for more information.

Protection for pregnant or breastfeeding women in Luxembourg

In Luxembourg, pregnant women are protected in the workplace.

If necessary, during her pregnancy, a woman may have her working hours or job temporarily adjusted, in agreement with the occupational health service.

This adjustment to working hours will be made without any loss of pay. If a woman is exempt from work for medical reasons, the Health Insurance Fund will pay financial compensation to the pregnant or breastfeeding woman to compensate for the loss of income associated with her absence from work.

Furthermore, a pregnant or breastfeeding 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 still apply.

Follow-up and medical examinations after childbirth

Postnatal home visits for new mothers

After childbirth, independent midwives remain available to support new mothers.

If the new mother leaves the maternity ward no later than four days after giving birth, a private midwife can visit her at home until the child is ten days old, depending on the mother's needs and availability. These visits are covered by health insurance.

If the new mother returns home after more than four days in the maternity ward and more^{than 10} days after the birth, only one consultation with a midwife is reimbursed.

In case of problems, a midwife can always intervene to help the new mother. However, a medical prescription is required for this visit to be reimbursed.

Some private midwives also offer private consultations on breastfeeding, baby massage, etc.

Please note that the day of the child's birth counts as "day zero."

The new mother's visit to the gynecologist

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

If necessary, the gynecologist may also prescribe perineal rehabilitation sessions with a physical therapist for the new mother.

Maternity leave and benefits in Luxembourg

To be eligible for maternity leave, the employee must have contributed to Social Security for at least six months during the previous 12 months.

In Luxembourg, maternity leave is divided as follows:

• Prenatal leave: 8 weeks before the expected date of delivery
• Postnatal leave: 12 weeks after the date of delivery. In the event of premature birth, any 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 expected date, the duration of postnatal leave cannot be reduced.

Maternity leave gives rise to the usual annual leave entitlement. This will be carried over to the end of the maternity leave period.
Maternity leave counts towards the employee's seniority.
Maternity leave pay is covered by the National Health Fund (Caisse Nationale de Santé) up to the gross salary of the previous months, subject to a ceiling of five times the minimum wage.

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

How to register the birth of a newborn in Luxembourg?

Return to work for new mothers and breastfeeding at work

Breastfeeding women are entitled to two 45-minute breastfeeding breaks per working day when they return to work after maternity leave.

For more information on maternity or paternity leave in Luxembourg, visit the National Health Fund website .

At the end of her maternity leave, a female employee may terminate her employment contract without notice in order to care for her child.

She then has priority for re-employment for one year if the company opens a recruitment process for a position for which the applicant has the necessary qualifications.

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

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 with the Luxembourg social security system for 12 continuous months without any interruption of more than seven days prior to the start of parental leave
• the employment contract(s) must total a minimum of 10 hours of work per week
• they must be under an employment contract for the entire duration of the parental leave.

Parental leave is accompanied by an allowance paid by the Caisse pour l'Avenir des Enfants (Children's Future Fund) to replace the professional income that is suspended.

Duration of parental leave in Luxembourg

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

• either the first parental leave to be taken following maternity or adoption leave
• or the second parental leave to be taken before the child reaches the age of 6 (12 in the case of an adopted child).

The applicant may be eligible for flexible parental leave. For example, a full-time employee working 40 hours per week may choose between the following parental leave options:

• Full-time leave of 4 or 6 months
• Eight or 12 months of part-time leave
• Split leave of 4 months over a maximum period of 20 months or 1 day per week for a maximum of 20 months

Where should you apply for parental leave?

The employee must submit their parental leave request to their employer no later than two months before the start of maternity leave.

Self-employed workers should apply directly to the CAE (Caisse pour l'Avenir des Enfants) within the same timeframe.

For more information or for specific cases, visit cae.public.lu.

Find out more about birth allowances and family allowances.

For any other questions about employment in Luxembourg.

Center for pregnant women and new parents: Initiativ Liewensufank

Initiativ Liewensufank is a consultation center for expectant and new parents. They can ask any questions they may have about pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and parenting.

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

For more information, visit www.liewensufank.lu

Feeding your child well is essential to give them every chance of staying healthy. Slow Food Grand Duchy provides the keys to a healthy, good, clean, and fair diet.

Find out more about nurseries and childcare systems in Luxembourg.

What is family life like in Luxembourg? Find out more here.