Paternity and Carer's Leave in Europe: Policies and Benefits

In Belgium, paternity leave allows fathers to take 10 days off around the time of their child's birth, receiving full pay during this period. This leave can be taken within four months of the child's arrival.

Additionally, Belgium has provisions for carer's leave, which allows employees to attend to the care needs of seriously ill or dependent family members. Carer's leave is generally unpaid but provides job protection during the absence. 

Paternity leave in Croatia allows fathers to take a minimum of one week and a maximum of 30 days off work to care for their newborn child. This leave is typically taken within 30 days of the child's birth. During paternity leave, fathers are entitled to receive a portion of their salary.

Croatia also offers carer's leave that can be granted for a period of up to three months.

Paternity leave is typically taken within six weeks of the child's birth in the Czech Republic. While on paternity leave, fathers are eligible for social security benefits to partially compensate for their absence from work.

Additionally, a carer's leave allows employees to care for seriously ill family members. Carer's leave can be taken for up to three days, providing the necessary flexibility for individuals to address family health needs while maintaining job protection. 

In Ireland,  fathers are allowed to take up to two weeks off work within the first 26 weeks following the birth or adoption of their child. During this time, fathers may be entitled to Paternity Benefits, providing them with financial support.

Furthermore, a carer's leave allows employees to take up to 104 weeks off to care for a relevant person in need. Carer's leave is typically unpaid, but employees may apply for the Carer's Support Grant and other support services. 

Paternity leave in Italy, known as "congedo di paternità," enables fathers to take up to five days off work following the birth of their child. Fathers are typically entitled to receive 100% of their salary during paternity leave.

Also, Italy recognizes family support measures, such as parental leave and shared parental leave, allowing parents to take time off to care for their children while benefiting from income support. 

In the United Kingdom, paternity leave allows fathers to take up to two weeks off work following the birth of their child. During this period, fathers may be eligible for statutory paternity pay or enhanced pay from their employer.

Additionally, the UK offers shared parental leave, allowing parents to share up to 50 weeks of leave and 37 weeks of pay between them.

Portugal offers fathers 20 days of paternity leave with pay after childbirth and allows both parents to take up to 25 working days off per year until their child is three, emphasizing its commitment to family support and work-life balance.

Paternity and Carer's leave in Poland

In Poland, fathers are able to take up to 14 days off work following the birth of their child. Fathers may be eligible to receive paternity allowance during this time, which will support them financially while they are away.

Furthermore, Poland offers parental leave, allowing both parents to take up to 32 weeks of leave per child until the child turns three years old.

Number of persons taking paternity and parental leave in Poland from the 1st half of 2014 to 2022

Fathers can take up to 15 weeks of paid paternity leave in Norway, known as "fedrekvote," while both parents can share up to 49 weeks at full pay or 59 weeks at 80% pay through parental leave, highlighting Norway's strong support for families and parental engagement in childcare.