Bereavement leave

General

Bereavement leave is leave from paid employment following the loss of a child. A parent is entitled to bereavement leave for up to:

• 6 months from the date of the death of a child under the age of 18.

• 3 months from the date of a stillbirth after 22 weeks of pregnancy.

• 2 months from the date of a miscarriage after 18 weeks of pregnancy.

Parents who are studying, not working, or working less than 25%, may be entitled to bereavement benefit.

Amounts

Maximum payment

700,000 ISK per month.

Minimum payments

160,538 ISK per month to a parent in 25 – 49% employment.

222,494 ISK per month to a parent in 50 – 100% employment.

Application process

The first step in the application process is to inform the employer.

Application process

What period is used for calculations?

The calculation is based on a 6-month continuous period in the Icelandic labor market that ends 2 calendar months before the loss of a child, stillbirth or miscarriage. It may not be used for less than 3 months in the calculation.

80% of the average total salary over a certain period is a monthly payment to a parent on bereavement leave.

Amounts and calculation

Period of bereavement leave

• Parents are entitled to take bereavement leave in one go.

• Bereavement leave can be divided into several periods in consultation with the employer. It can also be taken in parallel with a reduced work rate.

• Each period of bereavement leave must be at least 2 weeks.

Application process and period of bereavement leave

Job-related rights

Bereavement leave is part of the working period when various job-related rights are assessed. Examples of job-related rights are the right to take leave and extend leave according to collective agreements, increase in seniority, sick leave, notice period and the right to unemployment benefits.

Right to work and protection against dismissal

It is not permitted to dismiss an employee because the person concerned has notified of the intended taking of bereavement leave or is on bereavement leave unless there are valid reasons. In such cases, written justification must accompany the dismissal.