How long is maternity leave, and what is it paid at?
410 days, at 90% of your insurable income. Leave for pregnancy and childbirth is 410 calendar days per child — among the longest in the European Union — of which 45 days must be taken before the expected date of birth. The cash benefit is 90% of your average daily insurable income, calculated over the 24 calendar months before the month the incapacity arises — the base is your insurable income, not your last salary. To qualify you need at least 12 months of insurance service as a person insured for general illness and maternity. After the 410 days comes childcare leave until the child turns 2, paid at a monthly amount set each year in the state social-security budget. Part of that leave can be transferred to the father or a grandparent.
📋 The rules
- Pregnancy and childbirth leave: 410 calendar days
- 45 days must be taken before the due date
- Benefit: 90% of average daily insurable income
- Base: your insurable income over 24 months
- You need 12 months of insurance service for maternity
🔓 Exceptions
- After the 410 days comes childcare leave until the child turns 2
- Part of the leave can be transferred to the father or a grandparent, on conditions
- The second-year benefit is set annually in the state social-security budget
⚠️ Penalties & fines
This is your right. An employer who refuses the leave or fails to file the documents with the NSSI breaches the law and can be sanctioned by the Labour Inspectorate. Dismissing the mother of a child under 3 requires prior permission from the Labour Inspectorate — that is protection under the Labour Code, not the employer's call.
📎 Official sources
- NSSI · Pregnancy and childbirth benefits →
- lex.bg · Social Insurance Code →
- General Labour Inspectorate →
❓ Frequently asked
How many days is maternity leave?
410 calendar days per child, of which 45 days must be taken before the expected date of birth. It is among the longest periods in the European Union.
How much is the benefit?
90% of your average daily insurable income, calculated over the 24 calendar months before the month the incapacity arises. The base is your insurable income, not your last salary.
What insurance service do I need?
At least 12 months as a person insured for general illness and maternity. Without it you have no right to the cash benefit, even though the leave itself is still due to you.
What happens after the 410 days?
Childcare leave until the child turns 2, with a monthly benefit set each year in the State Social Security Budget Act. Part of that leave can be transferred to the father or to a grandparent.
Can I be dismissed while on maternity leave?
Dismissing the mother of a child under 3 requires prior permission from the Labour Inspectorate. That is protection under art. 333 of the Labour Code, not the employer's decision to make.
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