Apply for maternity and paternity leave

In cases of primary adoption or permanent foster care, the year in which the child enters the home is considered.

Work percentage on the Icelandic labour market in the last 6 months before the estimated date of birth.

For general wage earners, the payment assessment period is the 12 months that end six months before the month of birth of a child. For those who are self-employed, the period is the year (Jan-Dec) before the birth year of the child.

Supplementary pension savings are optional. The Directorate of Labour does not match pension fees.

Paying union fees is optional. If fee payments are not continued during leave, union rights may be lost.

You can choose the percentage of personal tax credit to use for maternity and paternity leave, or grant, payments.

Each leave period must be minimum 2 weeks long.

A lower rate of maternity and paternity leave can be chosen if a parent for example wishes to stretch payments over a longer period, or work alongside the leave.