Paternity leave and allowance

After the birth of the baby, the father is entitled to paternal leave, parental leave and child care leave.

he lives together with the mother (with the exception of e.g. work commitments).
he has been covered by the Finnish social security system a minimum of 180 days immediately prior to the baby’s due date (time spent in other EU/EEA countries, Switzerland or Israel may count towards the requirement).

A maximum of 54 weekdays, i.e. 9 weeks.
A maximum of 18 weekdays, i.e. 3 weeks, when both the father and mother, on maternity or parental allowance, stay at home.
Salary may be paid or not paid on paternity leave; if not paid, then Kela pays a paternity allowance for the leave.
The days at the same time with mother can be split up to a maximum of four (4) periods and paternity leave following parental leave a maximum of two (2) periods.
The father’s leave cannot be transferred over to the mother.
A child for whom paternity leave is granted, cannot be in day care during paternity leave.

Is paid for weekdays (Monday to Saturday).
The father can decide if Saturday is calculated as an allowance day.
If the father is paid salary during his paternity leave, then paternity allowance is paid to his employer.
Paternity allowance is payable for one child at a time.
The father cannot work while he is paid paternity allowance during weekdays (Sundays and other holidays he can).
The father is entitled to the paternity allowance even if he studies and receives a study grant, if he is not studying full-time and if he looks after the child.

Employer needs to be informed at the latest 2 months prior the beginning of paternity leave or if the leave does not exceed a total of 12 weekdays, at the latest 1 month prior to the beginning of the leave.
Paternity leave can start after the baby’s birth.
The father can use his paternity leave while the child is still under two years old or the adoptive child has been under the family’s care less than two years.
The father can have a maximum of 24 weekdays of his previous paternity leave for an older child at the same time with the mother on maternity or parental leave for the new baby.