An increasing number of men are choosing to take two-week paternity leaves. Men can divide the leave into two parts and use it within 2 years after the birth of a child. Men are entitled to the leave, regardless of the employment status of the mother and regardless of whether their relationship is formal or informal. Paternity leave is paid in 100%. The father receives an allowance equal to 100% of the basis of maternity allowance.

In the period from January to June this year, 88.5 thousand people took a paternity leave. That accounts for a 2.9 thousand more men in relation to the same period last year (85.6 thousand).

In the first half of this year, 2.5 thousand fathers also opted for the advantages of parental leave, which totals 32 weeks. Parents can divide the parental leave between each parent or opt for full 32 weeks to be taken by the mother or the father. In the first half of this year, 280.9 thousand women took parental leave.

From 2 January 2016, there are two types of leave available in relation to childbirth: maternity leave (20 weeks) and parental leave (32 weeks). That amounts to 52 weeks in total.

The first 14 weeks of maternity leave are reserved for the mother only. Parents can share the remaining part of the holiday allowance. In the period from January to June this year, 5.9 thousand fathers used that opportunity.  228,800 mothers took maternity leave.