Twin parents get additional parental leave

Parents of twins born from 1 May 2024 will get 26 additional weeks of parental leave. The weeks will be divided equally between both parents.

The parents can choose to transfer the extra leave in whole or in part to a social parent. A single parent can apply to have 13 weeks transferred to a close family member or social parent.

Companies can agree with their employees if they want to partially return to work during the time the leave is extended. It can also be agreed that the leave will be taken later but before the children turn 1 year old.

IUNO’s opinion

New rules for single parents and LGBT+ families came into force on 1 January 2024, and on 1 January 2023, parents of triplets got more parental leave. We have written about that here and here. The new rules on additional parental leave for twin parents are the latest in a series of changes to the Danish parental leave rules.

IUNO recommends that you, as a company, familiarise yourself with the new rules on additional leave — both in terms of when an employee can be entitled to additional leave and how much. You should be aware of the new rules on social parents and close family members, which will allow more groups of employees to take leave.

[L96 Proposition to amend the Maternity Act of 27 February 2024]