Balgarianovinite.com Against the backdrop of the deepening demographic crisis and efforts to encourage higher birth rates, policies supporting parents and maternity leave arrangements are among the key tools European countries use to support families with children. The issue has recently attracted renewed public attention in Bulgaria, with several protests held in Sofia and other cities in recent weeks under the slogan “Maternity Is Not Charity”. Participants called for higher compensation during the second year of maternity leave, its annual indexation and more adequate state support for families with children.
Bulgaria is among Europe’s leaders in terms of the length of maternity leave. While in many countries mothers return to work just a few months after giving birth, the Bulgarian system provides financial support until the child reaches the age of two. Mothers in Bulgaria are entitled to 410 calendar days of leave due to pregnancy and childbirth, of which 45 days are taken before the birth. During this period, they receive a cash benefit amounting to 90% of their average daily insurable income over the previous 24 months, provided they have at least 12 months of social security contributions.
After the 410 days have elapsed, the parent is entitled to leave for raising a child until the child reaches the age of two, during which a fixed monthly benefit is paid, currently amounting to EUR 398.81 (BGN 780).
Below is a survey prepared by BTA on maternity leave arrangements in other Balkan countries:
Albania
According to Albania’s State Labour and Social Services Inspectorate, pregnant women are prohibited from working for 35 days before giving birth and 42 days after giving birth. If a woman is carrying more than one child, the mandatory period before giving birth increases to 60 days.
According to data from the WageIndicator Foundation, maternity leave lasts 365 days, including the mandatory days before and after childbirth.
The income received during maternity leave is determined under the Social Security Law. After the 42-day postnatal period, a woman may decide whether to return to work. Under the Social Security Law, maternity benefits are not paid by the employer but by the Social Security Institute. They amount to 80% of the average net daily insurable income during the period before childbirth and the first 150 calendar days after childbirth, and 50% thereafter.
To be eligible for maternity benefits, a woman must have been insured for at least 12 months, excluding the final month of pregnancy.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina does not have a unified maternity leave system, as responsibility for determining the arrangements is divided among the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republika Srpska, Brčko District and the cantons within the Federation. In general, maternity leave lasts up to one year, while working mothers receive benefits whose amount is not uniform across the country but is determined by the legislation of the individual entities and cantons.
In most cantons of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the benefit amounts to 100% of the mother’s average salary, while in others it is lower. In addition to monthly benefits, in 2026 the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina provides a one-off payment of 1,000 convertible marks (around EUR 510) for every child born during the year, with applications submitted through the ePorodilja electronic platform. Alongside the federal assistance, a number of cantons and municipalities provide additional one-off or monthly benefits for families with newborn children.
In the other constituent part of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republika Srpska, working mothers receive 100% of their salary during maternity leave, with the benefit reimbursed to the employer by the Public Child Protection Fund. Unemployed mothers are entitled to a separate maternity benefit of 746 convertible marks (around EUR 381) per month.
Croatia
In Croatia, maternity leave begins no more than 45 and no less than 28 days before the mother’s due date and continues until the child reaches six months of age. The period from 28 days before childbirth to 70 days after it must be taken by the mother, while the remainder of the leave may also be used by the father. In the event of a premature birth, maternity leave is extended by the number of days by which the birth occurred earlier than expected.
During maternity leave, the parent taking the leave receives 100% of the salary they earned at their workplace.
Cyprus
All insured women in Cyprus are entitled to paid maternity leave. Maternity leave is set at 22 weeks for the first and second child and 26 weeks for each child from the third onward, according to the website of the Cyprus Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance. Leave may begin in any week between the ninth and the second week before the expected date of birth. In the case of multiple pregnancies, maternity leave is extended by four weeks for each child beyond the first born in the pregnancy.
During maternity leave, the mother receives 72% of her insurable income. This percentage may rise to 80%, 90% or 100% when there are one, two or three dependants in the family, respectively.
In addition to the payment during maternity leave, the Cypriot state provides a one-off birth grant ranging from nearly EUR 1,100 for the first child to EUR 2,738 for the fourth and subsequent children.
Greece
In Greece, maternity leave is a combination of pregnancy and childbirth leave, a special nine-month maternity protection period and additional parental rights.
Maternity-related rights differ for private- and public-sector employees. For private-sector employees, the basic pregnancy and childbirth leave is 17 weeks (119 days) – eight weeks before and nine weeks after childbirth. During this period, the cash benefit is paid by Greece’s social security institution e-EFKA. Key eligibility requirements include at least 200 days of insurance coverage during the two years preceding childbirth and cessation of work during the benefit period. If the legal requirements are met, the total gross benefit generally corresponds to the remuneration the mother would have received had she continued working. After this period, mothers may take up to nine months of special maternity protection leave, during which the benefit is paid by the Public Employment Service (DYPA) and is linked to the minimum wage, currently EUR 920 gross per month.
A separate arrangement applies to female civil servants – five months of maternity leave with full pay, including two months before and three months after childbirth, according to data from the National Registry of Administrative Procedures.
After returning to work, parents may also exercise the right to reduced working hours for childcare. In addition to leave arrangements, Greece provides a one-off birth grant ranging from EUR 2,400 to EUR 3,500 depending on the child’s birth order, according to information from the Organisation of Welfare Benefits and Social Solidarity (OPEKA).
Kosovo
Under current legislation, maternity leave in Kosovo lasts a total of 12 calendar months, divided into three separate periods according to the source of financing, the Koha Ditore newspaper reports. The first period lasts six months, during which the employer is required to pay the employee 70% of her basic salary each month. The second period lasts three months, during which the state pays the mother a monthly amount equal to 50% of the average national salary, currently EUR 319.50. The third period also lasts three months, during which the mother is entitled to three months of unpaid maternity leave.
Under Kosovo’s legislation, maternity leave may be taken up to 45 days before the expected date of birth. At the mother’s request and subject to medical assessment, this period may be postponed, but not beyond 28 days before the due date, the newspaper also reports.
In addition to maternity leave, Kosovo provides further family benefits. Unemployed women receive state assistance of EUR 325.90 per month during the first six months after childbirth, followed by child allowances of EUR 20 per month for the next six months. The EUR 325.90 state benefit is also paid to employed women taking maternity leave during the first three months, while for the following three months the amount decreases to EUR 319.50 per month. The state then pays child allowances of EUR 20 until the child reaches one year of age.
Montenegro
In Montenegro, a mother may begin maternity leave up to 45 days before her due date, with leave mandatory from 28 days before childbirth, unless the birth occurs earlier. After childbirth, parents are entitled to a total of 365 days of childcare leave, which may be used by the mother or, under certain conditions, transferred to the father.
During paid maternity leave, the parent receives 100% of their employment income. The benefit may not be lower than the minimum wage (EUR 670 in 2025) or higher than twice the average monthly salary in the country (EUR 2,416 as of July 2025). The costs are initially paid by the employer, who is subsequently reimbursed by the state.
In addition to benefits during leave, families are entitled to a one-off birth grant and other social and child benefits, subject to the conditions set out in law.
North Macedonia
Paid maternity leave in North Macedonia lasts nine months for one child and 15 months for twins. To qualify for paid maternity leave, however, the mother must have worked and been insured at her workplace for at least six months before the start of the leave.
Maternity leave may begin as early as 45 days, but must begin at least 28 days before childbirth. During the leave, the state, through the Health Insurance Fund, covers 100% of the mother’s average gross salary over the previous 12 months. If she has worked for less than a year, the average is calculated based on the months worked.
There is also a mandatory minimum period of 45 days after childbirth during which the mother may not return to work. After taking the first mandatory 45 days following childbirth, she may transfer the remainder of her maternity leave to the father, provided he is also insured.
Under amendments to the Child Protection Act that entered into force on May 23, 2019, the one-off financial assistance is 5,000 denars (just over EUR 80) for a first child and 20,000 denars (around EUR 321) for a second child. In addition, most municipalities provide supplementary one-off assistance for newborns, with the amount varying by municipality.
Romania
Maternity leave in Romania lasts 126 calendar days, divided into two stages: prenatal leave, which may be taken up to 63 days before the expected date of birth, and postnatal leave, which lasts up to 63 days after childbirth, according to television channel Știrile ProTV. At least 42 days of postnatal leave must be taken and cannot be reduced or transferred.
The maternity benefit amounts to 85% of the average gross income earned during the six months preceding maternity leave. The woman must have at least one month of insurance or equivalent service during the previous 12 months. The benefit is not paid by the employer but by the public health system, meaning that entitlement is guaranteed regardless of the employer’s circumstances, the television channel notes.
Paternity leave, which may be taken concurrently with maternity leave, is regulated separately. Fathers may take 20 working days of leave for one child and 30 days in the case of twins. Payment during this period is again equal to 100% of the father’s salary prior to taking paternity leave.
Serbia
Maternity leave in Serbia is regulated by the Law on Financial Support for Families with Children and the Labour Law. It guarantees 365 days of paid leave for the first and second child, and up to two years for the third and each subsequent child, as well as a one-off parental allowance.
The Serbian state provides direct one-off and monthly benefits depending on the child’s birth order. For a first child, the payment is a one-off amount of approximately EUR 4,258. For a second child, the total is approximately EUR 6,260, paid in 24 equal monthly instalments. For a third child, the amount rises to around EUR 20,500, paid in 120 monthly instalments over 10 years.
The entire leave period consists of two successive phases. Pregnancy and childbirth leave must begin between 28 and 45 days before the expected due date and lasts until the baby reaches three months of age. This phase may be used only by the mother. Childcare leave begins after the first three months and extends the total period to one year for a second child or two years for a third child. This second phase may be transferred to the father.
Throughout the entire leave period, the Serbian state pays 100% of the mother’s average salary, calculated based on her income during the 18 months preceding the start of the leave.
From November 1, 2024, amendments to the Law on Financial Support for Families with Children expanded the range of eligible beneficiaries. In addition to employed and self-employed mothers, other categories of women with income before childbirth, including unemployed women, agricultural producers and those working under civil contracts, became eligible for benefits. For them, however, the leave is 365 days regardless of the child’s birth order, while the two-year leave for a third and subsequent child remains available to mothers in employment relationships.
Slovenia
Maternity leave in Slovenia may last 105 working days, or one calendar year, and begins 28 days before the mother’s due date. The mandatory period is 15 days after childbirth, according to the Slovenian government’s website.
Paternity leave lasts 15 calendar days and may be taken until the child is three months old. The leave is extended by 10 days for each child in the event of twins.
During parental leave, both parents receive 100% of the salary they were receiving before the leave began. There is no upper limit on maternity benefits, while the ceiling for paternity benefits is 2.5 times the latest known average gross salary in the country.
Türkiye
Maternity leave in Türkiye was increased at the beginning of May 2026. Following the changes, the period covers 24 weeks (six months), including eight weeks (two months) before childbirth and 16 weeks (four months) after childbirth.
Employees may also take unpaid leave after completing the sixth month of pregnancy. At the same time, if they wish, they may continue working until two weeks before childbirth, provided they have a doctor’s approval.
The amendments to the Labour Code also increased paternity leave from five to 10 days.
The maternity benefit amounts to two-thirds (66.66%) of average daily income.
The material was prepared by: Vanya Nakova, Ivan Lazarov, Kristian Stratev, Marinela Velichkova, Magdalena Dimitrova, Mina Dimitrova, Petar Kadrev, Simona-Alex Mihaleva, Teodora Encheva, Tsvetozar Tsakov and Metodi Yordanov. Bulgaria Among Leaders in Maternity Leave Length, BTA Survey of Balkan Countries Shows 2026 THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-07-25 06:13:00 Latest news World news Country news Most important news latest news most important latest of the day Justice Petar Nizamov Feathers Petar Nizamov- Feathers Justice bg iustitia.bg iustitia iusticia usticia investigation Burgas Bulgaria news news of the last hour news of the day news of today Bulgaria news The news from Bulgaria blitz news top news most important most commented latest news Boyko Borisov news weather coronavirus news news weather facebook youtube facebook instagram news today news of the last minutes news today today news news bg news leading news hot news bg news site for news all news news bg news of the last hour latest latest news bg news of today news today news today news of the last hour latest news today news bg news news 24 hours news vesti bg novini news world bird bg bivol bg bivol trud bg novini latest news today novinite bg news hello bulgaria political party coat of arms delyan peevski scandalous Bulgarian National Television Free Europe Television scandal exclusive live tv live right now tv tv online tv program bg live now tv news online tv online live court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas district court Burgas appellate court Burgas prosecutor Burgas prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev Prosecutor Geshev Tsatsarov Ministry of Internal Affairs Burgas ODMR Burgas ODPR Burgas police Burgas district police Burgas prosecutor Tsatsarov SGS cases Varna court chairman of the SGS court decisions on civil cases decisions on cases Plovdiv court decision of the court decisions cases Varna court criminal cases district district court decisions work in the court SGS chairman of the SGS judges Sofia court post judges Plovdiv court Plovdiv judges Plovdiv Supreme Court Inspectorate Supreme Court Supreme Judicial Council lawyer lawyer criminal cases lawyer civil cases lawyer marriage cases lawyer administrative criminal law criminal process civil law civil process administrative law constitutional law