New rules provide better conditions for parents with sick children and for those who have lost children

Last updated on 20 June 2025

The Danish Parliament has passed new rules that will improve the parental leave conditions for parents with newborn children who are hospitalised and parents who lose children. The rules will be introduced gradually between 1 July 2025 and 1 January 2026.

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The parental leave rules have undergone many changes in recent years, which we have written about here, for example.

The new rules mean that:

  • If a newborn child is discharged early to stay home but still receives treatment, the same rules apply as if the child were hospitalised.
  • Parents whose newborn children are hospitalised or receive treatment at home and who do not return to work may each extend their leave by up to 12 months, instead of the previous three months.
  • Parents are no longer required to take postponed or extended leave within 16 months of birth, if they have lost their child or if their child has been hospitalised.
  • Parents who have previously received assistance to cover lost earnings for more than two years to care for a sick child do not have to meet the employment requirements of the maternity rules to receive parental leave benefits during bereavement leave.

iuno’s opinion

The new rules give parents more flexibility during difficult times, but they also mean that companies must prepare for some employees being absent longer than expected.

iuno recommends that companies review and update their contracts and parental leave policies to reflect the new rights of parents with hospitalised newborn children or those receiving treatment at home, and parents who lose children.

[Act amending the Parental Leave Act of 11 June 2025]