With 6,320 births registered in 2023[1], Luxembourg places great importance on family life. Parental leave means you can take time off work to care for your child. You can keep your job and receive paid leave during this time.
Who is entitled to parental leave?
You can apply for parental leave if you[2]:
- Have been contributing to the Luxembourg social security system for over 12 consecutive months (a break in contributions of up to 7 days is allowed).
- Are employed for at least 10 hours a week.
- You have an employment contract for the duration of the leave (employee, apprentice).
This right applies to employees, apprentices, the self-employed, civil servants, and public sector employees.
First or second parental leave period: what’s the difference?
There are two types of parental leave in Luxembourg.
- The first type of parental leave must be taken by one of the parents immediately after maternity or foster care leave. If parental leave isn’t taken immediately after this, you lose the right.
- The second type of parental leave may be taken by the other parent before the child is 6 or before they are 12 in the case of adoption.
Exceptions exist for single-parent families or if only one parent is working. Both parents can take their parental leave at the same time.
Good to know: Parental leave and nurseries
If you are on full-time parental leave, using daycare for your child is only allowed under exceptional circumstances and is limited to a few hours per week. You must inform the Caisse pour l ‘avenir des enfants (CAE) in writing. If you don’t you may have to repay your parental leave allowance.
Which type of leave should you choose?
Luxembourg offers different types of leave depending on your usual working hours[3]. The monthly working hours taken into account are those stated in your contract on the date you file your request.
You work 40 hours a week or are self-employed.
- Full-time leave for 4 or 6 months.
- Part-time leave for 8 or 12 months (with the employer’s agreement).
- 4 one-month periods within 20 months (with the employer’s agreement).
- 1 day a week for 20 months (with the employer’s agreement).
If you work 20 to 40 hrs/week.
- Full-time leave for 4 or 6 months.
- Part-time leave for 8 or 12 months (with the employer’s agreement).
If you work 10 to 20 hours/week or are an apprentice.
- Full-time leave for 4 or 6 months.
Once you start your parental leave, you can’t change the type of leave.
How do I apply for parental leave?
The steps vary depending on the type of leave you wish to take.
For the first leave: send a registered letter to your employer no later than 2 months before the start of the maternity or foster care leave. The employer cannot refuse or postpone full-time parental leave. They can, however, refuse part-time or split parental leave.
For the second leave: you must send a registered letter 4 months in advance. The employer has the right to request a postponement of 2 months (6 months if it is a small business). They cannot postpone parental leave if the child’s health or schooling issues require your presence at home.
For part-time or split leave, you must make arrangements with your employer within 4 weeks of filing your request.
Submit your claim to the CAE within 15 days.
What are the parental leave entitlements?
Allowances are calculated according to your earnings over the previous 12 months. Only pensionable income is taken into account – overtime is not included.
The set amounts are:
- Minimum: Luxembourg minimum wage (SSM).
- Maximum: 5/3 of the Luxembourg minimum wage.
On full-time leave (40 hours), the allowance is between €2,637.79 and €4,396.32 gross per month[4]. It is paid by the CAE and is subject to social security contributions and income tax.
Good to know: protect your health with Medicis
Foyer’s complementary Medicis health insurance ensures optimal protection during your parental leave. This policy pays out after you receive reimbursements from the Luxembourg National Health Fund (CNS), and this insurance covers hospitalisation, dental care, visual aids, and outpatient treatments. Bonus: its premium is tax-deductible (Article 111 L.I.R.)[5]
What rights do you have during and after your parental leave?
Parental leave comes with significant protections:
- You cannot be laid off during your parental leave.
- Your seniority won’t be affected if you continue to work after your parental leave.
- You have the right to return to the same or an equivalent job.
- You are entitled to a return-to-work meeting with your employer to discuss parent-friendly work schedules.
- You will have access to training offered by your employer.
Holiday leave that you don’t take before your parental leave will be carried over until you return to work.
Specific cases
- Multiple births. If you have twins or triplets, you will be entitled to one parental leave per child and can choose from the available options.
- New pregnancy. If you are expecting a child during your parental leave, it will be interrupted once your new maternity leave starts. You can take the remaining days at a later date.
- Resignation. If you resign before the end of the parental leave, you must reimburse any allowance received. However, if you change employers, you can keep the allowance you’ve received.
The Luxembourg parental leave system is particularly flexible and designed to support a work-life balance. The generous parental leave allowance for employees is a big plus, allowing parents to devote their time to caring for a child without putting their jobs on the line.
The three key takeaways:
- Each parent is entitled to parental leave: one period after the birth and a second before the child is 6 years old.
- There are several types of leave designed to suit your circumstances: full-time, part-time or split.
- An allowance based on your earnings ensures you receive an income while you look after your child.
[1] https://statistiques.public.lu/en/actualites/2024/stn16-population-2024.html
[2] https://guichet.public.lu/en/citoyens/famille-education/parents/conges-naissance/conge-parental.html
[3] https://guichet.public.lu/en/citoyens/famille-education/parents/conges-naissance/conge-parental.html
[4] https://cae.public.lu/en/conge-parental/informations-generales/montants.html
[5] https://impotsdirects.public.lu/dam-assets/fr/legislation/LIR/LIR2025.pdf
