On June 11, 2025, the Danish Parliament passed new legislation aimed at improving conditions for parents of hospitalized newborns and for parents who experience the loss of a child.
The new rules enhance the right to absence for parents of newborns requiring hospitalization and expand the right to receive benefits during bereavement leave.
Extension of parental leave for parents of hospitalized newborns
The right to leave and parental benefits will be extended from a combined total of three months to 12 months per parent in cases involving newborns who are hospitalized. Additionally, home-based medical care under a "home-early stay" will be treated as an equivalent to hospitalization. Parents in these situations will thus also be entitled to extended parental leave.
These changes will take effect on January 1, 2026, and apply to parents of children who are born or received on or after that date.
Expanded right to benefits during bereavement leave for parents who lose a child
The right to receive benefits during bereavement leave will be expanded for parents who lose a child and who have received compensation for lost earnings while caring for a seriously ill child at home for more than two years. Specifically, when assessing whether the parent meets the employment requirement for entitlement to benefits during bereavement leave, all periods in which the parent received compensation for lost earnings will be disregarded.
This change takes effect on July 1, 2025, and will apply to parents who begin a bereavement leave period on or after that date.
Note from Littler
It is important for employers to ensure that employment contracts and parental leave policies are reviewed and updated to reflect the new rights for parents of newborns who are hospitalized or receive home-based treatment, as well as for parents who lose a child.
Disclaimer: This article is not and should not be considered legal advice.
(Act Amending the Parental Leave Act, adopted by the Danish Parliament on June 11, 2025)
