Am I allowed to take parental leave in Denmark?
Yes — parents together have about 52 weeks of leave with benefit. The mother has a right to 4 weeks before birth and 2 weeks immediately after. After birth, each parent has 24 weeks with parental-leave benefit. Of the 24 weeks, 11 are earmarked to each parent and cannot be transferred, while the remaining 13 can be transferred to the other. The rules apply to children born from 2 August 2022. The maximum benefit rate is 5,085 kr a week in 2026. Many get full pay during part of the leave via a collective agreement. Earmarked weeks not used in time lapse.
📋 The rules
- Together about 52 weeks of leave with benefit
- The mother: 4 weeks before and 2 weeks after birth
- After birth: 24 weeks for each parent
- 11 weeks are earmarked and cannot be transferred
- Max rate: 5,085 kr a week in 2026
🔓 Exceptions
- Single parents can use or transfer the other parent's earmarked weeks
- The self-employed and students have their own, more flexible rules
- Children born before 2 August 2022 follow the old rules without earmarking
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Earmarked weeks not used in time lapse and can neither be transferred nor saved.
📎 Official sources
❓ Frequently asked
How much parental leave do I get?
Parents together have about 52 weeks of leave with benefit. After birth each parent has 24 weeks.
What is earmarked leave?
11 of each parent's 24 weeks are earmarked and cannot be transferred. The remaining 13 weeks can be transferred.
How high is the parental-leave benefit rate?
The maximum rate is 5,085 kr a week in 2026, the same as sickness benefit.
Do the rules apply to all children?
The earmarking rules apply to children born from 2 August 2022. Older children follow the old rules.
What happens if I do not use the earmarked weeks?
They lapse and can neither be transferred to the other parent nor saved.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “how much parental leave denmark”
- “parental leave 24 weeks each”
- “earmarked leave 11 weeks”
- “parental benefit 5085 kr”
- “parental leave born 2022”
- “transfer parental leave”