Maternity and paternity
I am considering starting a family, or I am already pregnant.
This is the start of a new life, in which my health is a key factor.
The CNS is at my side, providing answers to all my questions about health and maternity insurance during my pregnancy, and informing me about the steps I need to take and the conditions I need to meet.
I declare my pregnancy to apply for maternity leave using the ‘Declaration of maternity’ form by clicking here, or I send it by post (CNS, Indemnités pécuniaires, L-2980 Luxembourg).
Everything I need to know
- Condition
- Duration of leave
- Steps to take
- Compensation
What conditions must I meet to be entitled to maternity leave?
To be entitled to maternity leave, I must be personally affiliated to the health and maternity insurance scheme for at least 6 months during the 12 months prior to the planned start of my leave.
What periods are taken into account when calculating the 6 months?
The periods considered are those during which I was affiliated as:
- an employee,
- self-employed,
- an apprentice undergoing compensated vocational training in Luxembourg,
- a seafarer employed on a vessel flying the Luxembourg flag,
- a spouse or partner of a non-salaried person, if I have provided the latter with necessary services considered as my main activity,
- a relative or ally up to and including the third degree (in a direct or collateral line) of a non-salaried person for activities covered by the Chamber of Agriculture, if I have provided the latter with the necessary services considered as my main activity,
- a person covered by the law on development cooperation or by the law on Luxembourg's participation in peacekeeping operations as part of international organisations.
How long is my maternity leave?
My maternity leave consists of:
- 8 weeks' prenatal leave before my due date, and
- 12 weeks' postnatal leave after the actual date of delivery.
Good to know
- If the birth takes place before the expected date, the remaining days of prenatal leave are added to the postnatal leave. The total duration of my maternity leave will therefore remain 20 weeks.
- If the birth takes place after the expected date, my prenatal leave is extended without reducing my postnatal leave. The total duration of my leave will be 20 weeks, plus any additional days resulting from a birth occurring later than the initially anticipated date.
What do I have to do to take maternity leave?
Before the birth
- I know my due date: I calculate the key dates for my maternity leave (start of leave, presumed end of leave, first date for the gynaecologist's certificate etc.).
- I check my entitlement: I can apply for maternity leave if I have been personally affiliated to the health and maternity insurance scheme for at least 6 months in the 12 months prior to the planned start of my maternity leave.
- I apply for maternity leave: I send the CNS a medical certificate stating the expected date of delivery.
Important! To be valid, the medical certificate must be issued by a doctor (not a midwife) during the last 12 weeks of my pregnancy. A certificate issued too early will not be taken into account. I can access the maternity calculator by clicking here.
After the birth
- Après l’accouchement, j’envoie à la CNS un acte de naissance.
- Je m’interroge sur le congé parental, les prestations familiales (allocation de naissance, allocations familiales) : je consulte le site de la Caisse pour l’avenir des enfants.
- Je m’informe sur le congé de paternité (10 jours accordés au père / personne reconnue comme second parent) sur Guichet.lu.
What about my benefits during maternity leave?
Regardless of my employment status (employee, self-employed or apprentice), my compensation during maternity leave will be equal to the compensation payable in the event of illness or accident (up to a maximum of five times the reference minimum social wage).
To find out more: Determination of financial compensation
The CNS pays my compensation monthly at the end of the month. The table below shows the various deadlines.
| Month | File closing date |
Transfer date |
|---|---|---|
| 09/2024 | 24.09.2024 | 27.09.2024 |
| 10/2024 | 23.10.2024 | 28.10.2024 |
| 11/2024 | 25.11.2024 | 28.11.2024 |
| 12/2024 | 19.12.2024 | 24.12.2024 |
The authorities involved in maternity benefits
The CNS plays an important role in providing care during pregnancy, but certain benefits are the responsibility of another authority: the Children Future Fund (Caisse pour l'avenir des enfants CAE, known as Zukunftskeess).
The CAE is responsible for parental leave and family allowances.
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