Parental Leave in Denmark (the Maternity/Parental Leave Act) (2026 Legal Guide) — Rules & Requirements
About this article
Sourced from Danish Acts of Parliament (love), executive orders (bekendtgørelser), and official government guidance. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
Barselsloven (LBK nr 235 af 12/02/2021) gives parents the right to parental leave and parental-leave benefit. If you are in work and have worked at least 160 hours in the last four months, you are normally entitled to benefit during the leave. The rules apply to all parents. You must give your employer notice of the leave no later than three months before the due date, and you apply for the benefit via borger.dk. Many employees are also entitled to pay during parental leave under their collective agreement.
When does it apply?
- You are employed and pregnant or have had a child.
- You have worked at least 160 hours in the last four months and therefore normally have the right to parental-leave benefit.
- The rules apply to all parents.
What to do if the employer refuses you parental leave
- Give your employer notice: Notify them in writing of your leave no later than three months before the due date.
- Apply for parental-leave benefit: Apply via borger.dk.
- Contact your trade union: If a disagreement arises, the union can help, and many collective agreements give the right to pay during parental leave.
Generate a formal legal letter to support your rights using our Legal Letter Generator.
What should you NOT do?
- Don't let your earmarked leave go to waste: 11 weeks are earmarked for you and cannot be transferred to the other parent.
- Don't accept threats: It is unlawful to threaten dismissal because of parental leave. Contact your trade union or Ligebehandlingsnævnet.
- Meet the notice deadline: Give notice in good time so your right to leave is secured.
About Employment Law & Working Conditions in Denmark
Your work in Denmark rests on the so-called flexicurity model — there is no statutory minimum wage, but collective agreements (overenskomster) at sector level cover around 80% of employees. Ferieloven (the Holiday Act) gives you 25 days of paid holiday a year, accrued monthly. Salaried employees (funktionærer) have enhanced notice periods and protection against unfair dismissal under funktionærloven (the Salaried Employees Act). The working environment is governed by arbejdsmiljøloven (the Working Environment Act), enforced by Arbejdstilsynet. Collective-agreement disputes are heard by Arbejdsretten (the Labour Court); individual cases are heard by the ordinary courts.
Common Questions
What do I do if my boss refuses my parental leave?
It is unlawful to refuse you the leave. You have the right to 24 weeks of parental leave per parent (11 weeks are earmarked). Ask for the leave in writing, and contact your trade union if the employer does not comply with the rules.
What do I do if they threaten to dismiss me because of parental leave?
It is unlawful to dismiss someone because of parental leave, and it can trigger compensation. Keep all correspondence, and contact your trade union or a lawyer. In a dismissal connected to parental leave, the employer bears the burden of proving that the dismissal is not due to the leave.
What do I do to secure my parental-leave benefit?
Give your employer written notice three months before the due date, and apply for the parental-leave benefit via borger.dk. Also check your collective agreement, as you may be entitled to full pay during parental leave.
What is the parental leave right in Denmark?
Barselsloven (LBK nr 235 af 12/02/2021) gives parents the right to parental leave and parental-leave benefit. If you are in work and have worked at least 160 hours in the last four months, you are normally entitled to benefit during the leave. The rules apply to all parents. You must give your employer notice of the leave no later than three months before the due date, and you apply for the benefit via borger.dk. Many employees are also entitled to pay during parental leave under their collective agreement.
When does it apply — parental leave?
You are employed and pregnant or have had a child.You have worked at least 160 hours in the last four months and therefore normally have the right to parental-leave benefit.The rules apply to all parents.
What do I do if the employer refuses me parental leave or threatens dismissal?
Give your employer notice: Notify them in writing of your leave no later than three months before the due date.Apply for parental-leave benefit: Apply via borger.dk.Contact your trade union: If a disagreement arises, the union can help, and many collective agreements give the right to pay during parental leave.Generate a formal legal letter to support your rights using our Legal Letter Generator.
What should you NOT do — parental leave?
Don't let your earmarked leave go to waste: 11 weeks are earmarked for you and cannot be transferred to the other parent.Don't accept threats: It is unlawful to threaten dismissal because of parental leave. Contact your trade union or Ligebehandlingsnævnet.Meet the notice deadline: Give notice in good time so your right to leave is secured.