Global Compliance – Denmark
Denmark: Amendment to Parental Leave
Effective January 1, 2026, the parental leave provision under the Denmark Maternity Leave Act (“the Act”) is set to significantly expand entitlements for parents of hospitalised newborns. This amendment represents one of the most substantial changes to Danish family leave policy in recent years.
Key changes are as follows:
Extension to Parental Leave for Hospitalised of Newborns
Currently, parents were eligible for an extension of parental leave equal to the child’s hospitalisation period, up to a combined maximum of 3 months, but this only applied to inpatient hospital treatment.
Effective January 1, 2026, parents of children who are hospitalised or receiving early home-based medical care within the first 46 weeks after birth or adoption will each be entitled to an extension of parental leave of up to 12 months.
This extended leave is in addition to the existing parental leave period and is available individually to each parent, rather than being shared between them.
Eligibility and Coverage: The extended leave entitlement applies to:
- children born or adopted on or after 1 January 2026
- both biological and adoptive parents
- same-sex and co-parenting couple.
Qualifying Circumstances: Parents shall be entitled to receive leave under following situation as follow:
- hospital admission or continuous inpatient treatment of the child within 46 weeks after birth or adoption
- home-based care under medical supervision (new inclusion under the 2026 amendment).
Notice and Documentation Requirements: Employees intending to take this leave must:
- notify their employer as soon as possible after becoming aware of the hospitalisation or home treatment; and
- provide medical documentation supporting the hospitalization or home-care claim.
Take away: Employers should proactively review and update their policies to ensure compliance with the upcoming reforms.
