Planning to have a baby abroad can bring up many questions. Slovakia has a system of state support for parents, which includes maternity, paternity, and parental leave. In this article, you will learn about the types of leave available, who is eligible, how long the payments last, and how to arrange everything.
What types of maternity leave are available?
Maternity leave (materská dovolenka)
- Duration: 34 weeks (37 for single mothers, 43 if giving birth to 2+ children).
- Start: 6–8 weeks before the due date.
- Payment: approximately 75% of your average monthly salary before taxes (gross), calculated from the previous year. For example, if your gross salary was €1,200, you will receive about €900 per month. However, there is a limit: even if you earned more, the maximum benefit amount cannot exceed €2,186 per month (data for 2025).
Paternity leave (otcovská dovolenka)
- Available since November 2022.
- Duration: 14 days within the first 6 weeks after birth.
- Payment: is 75% of the father's average salary (gross), calculated from the previous calendar year.
Parental leave (rodičovská dovolenka)
- Duration: up to the child's 3rd birthday. If the child has a disability, a long-term unfavorable health condition, or has been officially placed for adoption, the benefit may be provided up to age 6.
- Payment:
- €482.30 per month — if one of the parents was eligible for maternity benefit (materské), even if they did not receive the full amount. This eligibility must relate to the specific child for whom the parental benefit is requested.
- €351.80 per month — if neither parent was eligible for maternity benefit (e.g., did not pay contributions or was not insured).
- If twins or more children are born at the same time — the amount increases by 25% for each additional child.
Additional benefits for parents:
- Childbirth grant (
