Guidelines for writing certificates to the Maternity/Paternity Leave Fund

A pregnant parent who must retire from work for health reasons related to pregnancy, more than one month before the expected date of birth may be entitled to a longer maternity leave during that period. However, this period may not exceed 2 months. If the birth occurs before the expected date of birth of the child, the authorisation for an extension will expire from that time.

Health reasons mean:

• Diseases that occur during pregnancy and cause incapacity for work.

• A disease, temporary or long-lasting, that worsens during pregnancy and causes inability to work.

• Prevention of premature birth or to protect the health of the foetus, as treatment causes incapacity for work.

Writing a certificate

It is important that the doctor justifies the need for an extension of the maternity leave according to any of the above items.

• Emphasis should be placed on the incapacity of the pregnant parent to work caused by the last two months before the expected date of birth of the child.

• The result of the medical examination must be stated.

Standard form

Medical certificate for maternity leave extension (.doc)

More information

Article 17 of laws on maternity and paternity leave (in Icelandic).

If a pregnant parent has a serious illness in connection with the birth, the parent's parental leave or maternity allowance may be extended for up to two months due to a serious illness in connection with the birth, provided that the parent during her or her maternity leave, or at the time the maternity allowance was paid, was unable to take care of her child because of the illness in the opinion of a specialist physician.

Conditions:

• The illness can be traced back to the birth itself.

• The pregnant parent has therefore been unable to take care of her child according to the opinion of a specialist doctor.

Writing a certificate

It is important to explain:

Standard form

Medical certificate for maternity leave extension (.doc)

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Article 35 of laws on maternity and paternity leave (in Icelandic).

The joint right of parents to parental leave may be extended for up to 7 months in the event of a serious illness of the child or severe disability requiring closer care.

The aim is that a child’s severe illness or severe disability requires closer care than is normal for the care of infants, regardless of whether the child is in hospital for a short or long time.

This does not apply to conditions like varicella, ear infection or other similar illnesses, although the illness may be persistent.

Writing a certificate

It is important that the physician emphasises justifying the special care beyond what is normal in the care of infants that the serious illness or severe disability requires, and then for how long. It is important that the conclusion of the medical examination is stated.

This applies to illness or disability of children born, adopted or placed in permanent foster care on or after 1 January 2021. For children born, adopted or taken into permanent foster care before 1 January 2021, Article 17(1) of Act No. 95/2000 shall apply, as per Article 22(1) of the same Act.

Standard form

A serious illness and/or disability of a child (.doc)

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Article 36 of laws on maternity and paternity leave (in Icelandic).

If a parent is unable due to illness or the consequences of an accident to take care of his child during the first 24 months after his birth, the right to parental leave or maternity allowance that the parent has not already used may be transferred to the other parent in part or in whole.

The condition of the parent due to illness or the consequences of an accident which results in the parent being unable to take care of the child during the said period, or to give his consent to the transfer of his rights, shall be confirmed by the medical certificate of the specialist physician who is responsible for the parent.

This applies to illness or disability of children born, adopted or placed in permanent foster care on or after 1 January 2021.

Writing a certificate

It is important that a specialist physician who has taken care of the parent explains whether the parent is unable to take care of the primary needs of his child, such as feeding, cleaning or dressing without assistance during the abovementioned 24-month period. It is also important that the conclusion of the medical examination is stated.

General medical certificate

As there is no standard certificate for the transfer of rights in the event of disease or the consequences of an accident, it is necessary to use a general medical certificate for the justification.

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Article 9 of laws on maternity and paternity leave (in Icelandic).

Parents who have given birth may receive maternity allowance, even if the parent does not meet the requirements for academic progress and/or pursuit of studies, as the parent was unable to study during pregnancy due to health reasons related to the pregnancy.

This is the case for similar health reasons as are discussed in Article 17 of the Act on the illness of a pregnant parent during pregnancy.

Writing a certificate

It is important that the doctor reasoned whether he believes that the health reasons of the pregnant parent during pregnancy have affected the educational progress and/or the pursuit of education and then in which month or months. It is important that the conclusion of the medical examination is stated.

Standard form

Medical certificate for adequate educational performance or sufficient progress of studies(.doc)

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In Article 28 of laws on maternity and paternity leave (in Icelandic).