UK vs EU Maternity Leave 2025: Who Gets the Best Deal

The UK has one of the longest periods of statutory maternity leave in Europe at 52 weeks. But length and generosity are not the same thing. The pay during that leave tells a different story, and it is where the UK falls noticeably behind some of its European neighbours. This guide compares the actual entitlements across the UK and major EU countries so you can see where the real differences lie.

UK maternity leave and pay

UK employees are entitled to up to 52 weeks of statutory maternity leave, split into 26 weeks of Ordinary Maternity Leave and 26 weeks of Additional Maternity Leave. The first 39 weeks can be paid provided you qualify, and the final 13 weeks are unpaid unless your employer offers enhanced terms.

For someone earning £35,000 per year, the first six weeks pay around £606 per week. From week seven the payment drops to £184.03, which is roughly £800 per month before tax. For anyone used to a full salary, this is a significant reduction and one of the main reasons why many women return to work before the full 52 weeks.

Many employers, particularly larger organisations and public sector bodies, top up the statutory minimum with enhanced packages. These range from a few extra weeks at full pay to full salary for the entire 39 weeks. Your employment contract will set out what you are entitled to beyond the statutory minimum.

Germany: shorter leave but full pay

Germany's statutory maternity leave is just 14 weeks, but the pay during those 14 weeks is 100% of net salary, funded jointly by the employer and the statutory health insurance fund. After those 14 weeks, parents can take up to three years of Elternzeit, parental leave, with the first 14 months covered by Elterngeld at 65% to 67% of net salary up to a cap.

The parental leave element is highly flexible. Both parents can take it, the months can be split between them, and it can be taken simultaneously or sequentially. Germany has invested heavily in its parental support system and the Elterngeld Plus option even allows parents to extend the payment period if they return to part-time work.

Sweden: the benchmark everyone cites

Sweden is consistently held up as the gold standard for parental leave in Europe, and the figures justify the reputation. Swedish parents together receive 480 days of paid parental leave, which works out at roughly 68 weeks combined. The pay is 80% of salary for the first 390 days, then a flat rate for the remaining 90. Of the 480 days, 90 are reserved specifically for each parent and cannot be transferred.

The 90-day reservation for fathers is deliberate policy to encourage equal parenting from the earliest stage. Sweden has seen a steady increase in the proportion of parental leave days taken by fathers since introducing this arrangement, now around 30% of total days taken.

Spain: equal leave for mothers and fathers

Since 2021 Spain has offered identical leave rights to mothers and fathers. Both are entitled to 16 weeks at 100% of salary. This makes Spain one of the most progressive countries in Europe for equal parenting rights and the full pay rate is more generous than the UK for most earners.

France: moderate leave, strong support system

France offers 16 weeks of maternity leave at 100% of salary up to the Social Security ceiling, which in 2025 is approximately €3,864 per month. Fathers receive 28 days of paternity leave, the longest statutory paternity leave in Europe. France also has a comprehensive childcare subsidy system and guaranteed nursery places from age three, which makes returning to work more practical than in many other countries.

Norway: the most generous overall

Norway, which is not an EU member but sits alongside Scandinavia culturally and in most comparisons, offers the most generous parental support in Europe. Parents together can take 49 weeks at 100% of salary or 59 weeks at 80%. Of this, 15 weeks are reserved for the father as a non-transferable paternity quota. The pay ceiling is high and covers most earners.

What the comparison tells us

The UK ranks highly for leave duration but poorly for pay generosity during the majority of that leave. Countries like Sweden, Norway and Germany offer fewer weeks in some cases but at much higher pay rates, meaning parents face a less severe financial hit. Spain's decision to equalise leave rights between parents is a significant step and one the UK has moved toward with its shared parental leave system, though take-up of shared parental leave in the UK remains relatively low.

If you are employed and planning a family, understanding your statutory entitlements is the starting point, but the gap between statutory and what your employer offers can be very large. Checking your employment contract and your company's maternity policy before making decisions about timing and return to work can make a substantial financial difference.