Birth leave adopted for 2026
17 December 2025 · 4 min reading time
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See job offersAfter being adopted by Parliament, this new scheme is set to take effect from 1 January 2026 and promises to change how parents are supported right after a child arrives. The goal is clear: to offer extra time, with better pay, so that both parents can truly be present during the first weeks of life.
But despite the official announcement, many grey areas remain. What exactly will the duration be? How will compensation work? Who will be eligible? And above all, what real impact will this new leave have on the current parental leave scheme? Parents have questions, especially since several details still need to be set out by decree.
In this article, we break down what the reform provides for, what could still change, and what it will mean in practical terms for families from January 2026.
What is the new birth leave planned for 2026?
Birth leave is a new measure written into law and designed to strengthen parents’ presence with their child right after birth or adoption. It is added on top of existing leave (maternity, paternity and adoption leave), without replacing them.
The legislator’s aim is to create additional time, with better compensation, so families can experience the first weeks in better conditions.
Unlike parental leave, which can extend over several months or even years, birth leave focuses on a short period, considered essential for the baby’s development and for settling into family life. Each parent will be entitled to it, making the scheme more equal and more flexible: both parents will be able to take it separately or at the same time, depending on what best fits their organisation.
This leave also addresses a broader social objective: encouraging a more balanced sharing of parental responsibilities, supporting bonding, and better accompanying families through a period that is often intense, both physically and emotionally.
How long will birth leave last?
The future birth leave will give each parent an additional 1 to 2 months to stay with their child. The exact length will depend on the parent’s choice: they may decide to take only one month, or use the full two months provided by law. The idea is to make it long enough to cover the first, often most delicate weeks, while still remaining compatible with a relatively quick return to work.
Can both parents take birth leave at the same time?
Yes. The text provides that birth leave can be taken at the same time or one after the other, depending on the family’s needs. This means a couple could benefit from up to four months of combined parental presence (two months per parent), which is one of the reform’s most significant changes.
Can birth leave be combined with maternity and paternity leave?
Birth leave is added to existing leave. It could therefore follow directly after maternity or paternity leave, or be taken later, as long as regulatory deadlines are respected. This combination is intended to provide more flexibility, especially for families who want to organise their time with the baby differently.
How much will birth leave compensation be?
Birth leave is designed to allow parents to stay with their baby without facing financial hardship. That is why the government is planning higher compensation than the current parental leave scheme, which many consider too low.
Compensation designed to be genuinely usable
Early announcements suggest that the leave could be paid at around 70% of salary for the first month, then 60% for the second month. These figures are not final yet, but they clearly show the intention: enabling parents to take this time without sacrificing their income.
What will the allowance be based on?
As with maternity or paternity daily allowances, the calculation should be based on the parent’s usual earned income. The exact details will be set out by decree, but the idea is for the calculation to remain simple and clear for families.
Who will be eligible for birth leave?
Birth leave was designed to reach as many parents as possible. The aim is not to make it a privilege reserved for a few professional categories, but a right that is truly accessible to all families welcoming a child. This is why the law provides for a straightforward, flexible and broadly open scheme.
All parents are covered. The parent who gives birth will be eligible, as will the other parent. Families welcoming a child through adoption will also be included. This openness allows each household to organise itself freely. Some may choose to take the leave at the same time to fully share the first weeks, while others may prefer to stagger it to extend the period of presence with the baby.
The government also wants to make this leave accessible across different employment statuses. Employees, public-sector workers and self-employed workers should be able to benefit, although the exact rules will be confirmed by decree. This inclusion of the self-employed is an important point, as they are often less well covered by existing schemes.
As with any compensated leave, it will likely be necessary to prove recent work activity or a sufficient level of contributions. For now, the exact conditions are not yet defined, but the stated priority is not to leave any parent behind. In practice, anyone in employment should therefore be able to benefit from birth leave once it comes into force.
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