Parental benefit

Parental benefit (rodičovský příspěvek) is the most important social benefit available through the State Social Support. It is an important contribution for parents available on request for both the mother and the father. This allowance is covered by the state social support (státní sociální podpora) and granted to the parent on a parental leave¹ (rodičovská dovolená)² (Article 196 of Labour Code) in order to enable a better care of a child at the maximum age of four (children born in 2023 and earlier)/three (children born in 2024) or until the total amount of the parental benefit paid reaches the sum of CZK 300,000 (children born in 2023 and earlier)/350 000 CZK (children born in 2024) on one child or CZK 450,000(children born in 2023 and earlier)/525 000 CZK (children born in 2024) in case of multiple children (twins, triplets etc.).

1. There are situations (usually during the month when the parent switches from maternity to parental benefit) when parental benefit is used to cover the difference between the full monthly amount of maternity benefit (or any other social benefit such as sickness benefit) and the amount assigned to that month according to the number of calendar days during which the parent is still eligible for the benefit. In case of the maternity / parental benefits the following month is already fully covered by the parental benefit.

2. Parents (both female and male employees) in the Czech Republic have a legal right to be granted parental leave by their employer. This entitlement and its scope are upon their request but only until the child turns three. The parents have a possibility to ask for one extra year of approved absence from work to take care of their child (pracovní volno z důvodů péče o dítě) and the decision is up to their employer. Both men and women are entitled to parental leave – the mother can apply once her maternity leave finishes, the father right after the baby is born. Parental leave does not need to be used at once – between the first and third year of age of the child the mother or the father can return to work and then request parental leave again. The parents can take turns in taking parental leave or they can take it at the same time. When back at work after parental leave, the employees must be offered a position according to their work contract but during the time they spent at home they are not entitled to any wage and this period is seen as a period of absence for annual leave purposes.

Foreign parents are entitled to parental benefit if they meet the following conditions⁵ :

If you are an EU citizen, your eligibility to the parental benefit in the Czech Republic depends on the place of your economic activity and / or your residence.

• If both (or at least one) parents are economically active and reside in the Czech Republic, you are entitled to the parental benefit.
• If both (or at least one) parents are economically active in two EU countries, it is the residence that matters and determines in which country they are eligible for the benefit.
• Your employment status matters in some situations as well as – when considering eligibility for parental benefit in the Czech Republic – employment abroad has a higher value than self-employment here.

Once your eligibility has been established on the basis of residence and employment, there are a few more conditions – equally valid for both Czech and foreign parents – that need to be met. They concern the extent to which the parents on parental leave drawing the state social benefit can take advantage of nurseries, (specialized) care centres and pre-school establishments. The general rules are as follows:

• Children younger than two: 92 hours / month
• Children of disabled parents: no more than 4 hours / day
• Disabled children: no more than 6 hours / day

In general, the parent is allowed to work and draw parental allowance but, while working⁶, the parent must make sure that the child will be taken care of by another adult person.

The parent’s income is not tested either at this point yet the previous eligibility for maternity benefit and the monthly amount you were accorded play important roles in the way you will be allowed to draw and regulate your parental benefit.

5. Please, note that assessing eligibility for parental benefit is usually done in person as it requires a very specific approach and tends to vary case to case. In the section ´Entitlement to benefits´ on the website of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs you can read a more precise explanation of the required conditions.

6. Self-employed parents who continue their business are, of course, still obliged to pay their social and health insurance advance payments.

As we have already established, parental benefit is an allowance for parents duly caring for their youngest child and it is limited by time (4 years of the child´s age) and / or by a total amount that can be allocated per child (CZK 300,000 – children born in 2023 and earlier/350 000 CZK – children born in 2024⁷ . If the daily basis of assessment can be determined for both parents, the calculation is based on the higher one.

Once granted, parental benefit can be paid up to 3 months back⁸ from the date of application. The parent can change this monthly amount every three months.

Changes in parental benefit

Parental benefits⁹ has undergone changes which are valid from January 1, 2020.

The changes are overall positive. Thanks to higher monthly limits parents can draw the allocated money quicker. Also, children younger than 2 years of age can now spend more time in pre-school establishments. Last but not least, the total amount of parental benefit in case of one or multiple children (twins, triplets etc.) has been increased.

The new conditions apply to anyone who applies from January 1 2020 onward as well as on the parents who are already getting parental benefit. The total amount of the benefit is increased automatically. If a family drawing the benefit in the maximal allowed monthly sum wish to increase it to the new maximum, they need to apply via a standard form Volba výše rodičovského příspěvku no sooner than 3 months since the last change of their monthly amount.

Calculation of a monthly benefit

The maximal height of a monthly parental benefit depends on whether the daily basis of assessment for determination of your maternity benefit¹¹ can be calculated or not. This (im)possibility to assess one’s daily basis is determined by

• the fact whether the parent was or was not eligible for a maternity benefit
• the fact whether the parent was economically active and thus contributing towards their sickness insurance¹² 12 months prior to the month the child was born in

the country/ies¹³ the parent worked in during the above-mentioned period of time

• the height of the parent’s income during the above-mentioned period of time

a/ DAILY BASIS OF ASSESSMENT CAN BE ESTABLISHED

If at least one parent was eligible for and therefore drawing maternity benefit or if at least for one of the parents it is possible to calculate a daily basis of assessment¹⁴ , the maximal monthly amount can be as high as their (hypothetical) maternity benefit.

PB max = 30 x daily basis x 0.7

You can also use a simple online calculator.

b/ DAILY BASIS OF ASSESSMENT CANNOT BE ESTABLISHED

In case none of the parents was entitled to maternity benefit and the daily basis assessment¹⁵ cannot be calculated for any of them either, the maximal monthly amount of parental benefit is clearly set.

PB max = CZK 13,000

Men

If the mother of the child is not eligible for parental benefit, or if she is not happy with the maximal monthly amount based on her previous income and (therefore) sickness insurance contributions, the allowance can be drawn by the father of the child in case he meets all the required conditions.

Multiple children

By nature parental benefit is a social benefit supporting the parent taking care of the child(ren), not the child(dren) themselves. That is why even in case of multiple children (twins, triplets etc.) there is only one benefit. The conditions of eligibility are identical with those concerning parental benefit for one child. However, the maximal possible amount of parental benefit for parents with multiple children is higher – CZK 450,000(children born in 2023 and earlier)/525 000 CZK (children born in 2024). Also the formula defining the maximal monthly amount is different:

• PB max = 30 x daily basis of assessment x 1.5 in case of parents whose daily basis can be assessed
• PB max = CZK 19,500 in case of parents whose daily basis cannot be assessed

Monthly amount of parental benefit can be changed every three months.

A second child

In case a second child is born while still drawing parental benefit, the parents (mother or father) need to meet the same basic conditions (270 days / 2 years – employees, 270 and 180 / 2 and 1 years – self-employed) as when applying for the first maternity benefit. The two last calendar years preceding the start of the second maternity leave are taken into account.

However, it also happens that your second child arrives before you’ve withdrawn your first parental benefit in full. These are called ‘chain births’ (= the mother starts the second maternity leave before the first child turns three), and the eligibility for the second maternity benefit is based on the same data as the previous one. The situations then may vary¹⁶ according to the parent’s job situation or type of employment (self-employed, employee etc.) and it is therefore highly recommended to visit the Employment office in person and assess your situation with one of the officials.

In case you (or your spouse/partner, due to better work or insurance conditions) are entitled to the second maternity benefit, it, once again, depends on your specific situation how the rest of your parental benefit can be used up in the most efficient way.

In case you have enough time, you can increase the monthly amount to its maximum. If it still is not enough to use up as much benefit you are entitled to as possible, you can swap with your partner/spouse and draw the rest of the benefit under different (= more convenient) conditions.

If neither you nor your partner can reach the monthly amount of money that would lead to a complete withdrawal of the benefit, you’re, under certain conditions¹⁷ entitled to get the rest of the money back in a lump sum. To achieve it, you first need to announce at the Employment office (State social support department) that you are soon having a new baby, will be applying for the next maternity benefit and are, therefore, cancelling the collection of the current benefit. You will do this by filling up a document called Hlášení změn (Report of Changes) with the due date at least one day before going on the maternity leave with the new child¹⁸,¹⁹. Later, when the second child is born, you will deliver the Birth certificate of the given child to the office together with another Hlášení změn (Report of Changes) document in which you will write that you’re applying for the rest of the money from the parental benefit connected with the first child in a lump sum. The due date of this document is the first day when your maternity leave for the second child ends¹⁸,¹⁹.

If you’re not entitled for the maternity benefit for the second child, you do not have to cancel the collection of the first benefit before using the full amount of money, you´re allowed to apply for the second parental benefit only when the first one is completely used.

7. CZK 450,000(children born in 2023 and earlier)/525 000 CZK (children born in 2024) in case of multiple children (twins, triplets etc.)

8. In case in one of these months parental benefit ´collides´ with maternity benefit (e.g. your maternity benefit finishes on March 15 and you apply for parental benefit on June 1), the amount of parental benefit for that month will be the difference between its full  monthly amount and the amount of maternity benefit for that particular month.

9.  You´ll find more information (in Czech only) on the website of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.

11. For more information see the section ‘Benefit’ in the previous part ‘Maternity benefit’.

12. Calendar days parents spend on a maternity leave are considered as days with valid sickness insurance – for example for the purpose of assessing the daily basis when applying for parental benefit.

13. If it was the Czech Republic, an EU country or a nonEU country with a bilateral treaty covering social benefits, the parent’s daily basis can be assessed by the local Social insurance office. If it was a nonEU country without a bilateral treaty, it is not possible.

14. The parent was economically active during 12 months preceding the month the baby was born in in a country that allows calculation of a daily basis assessment.

15. The parent was economically active during 12 months preceding the month the baby was born in in a country that allows calculation of a daily basis assessment.

16. Have a look at this very useful overview of various situations that could happen when expecting a second child and re-applying for maternity benefit. In Czech only, unfortunately.

17. In case the second child is born after 1 July 2021, at least of the parents is economically active, the mother is eligible for the maternity benefit for the second child, or one of the parents can have their daily basis in connection with the second baby assessed.

18.You cannot withdraw parental benefit for the first child and the maternity benefit for the second child at the same time.

19. The document has to be filled up in Czech. It does not have to be grammatically correct though so you can use online internet translators.

The procedure of applying for parental benefit is a rather simple one. Mother or father can apply. As for the timing, the mother of the child can apply right after finishing her maternity leave or, in case she is not entitled to maternity benefit, right after her baby is born. In case the mother is not drawing maternity benefit, the father of the child can apply from the day the baby is born.

You apply at the regional Employment office, at the department of the State Social Support (Úřad práce, Státní sociální podpora, Polní 1011/37, tram stop Vojtova) that belongs under the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.

Required documents

Please, note that the required documents may vary according to what your purpose of the visit is (first registration, changes in your current parental benefit). Also, although there is always only one final applicant for a benefit, sometimes both parents need to be assessed and therefore both need to bring the necessary documents.

• form called Application for parental benefit (Žádost o rodičovský příspěvek) signed by the applicant and the second parent
• form called Supplementary information about the family members for the purpose of providing benefits in the EU (Doplňující údaje o společně posuzovaných osobách pro účely vyplácení dávek v rámci EU) signed by the applicant and the second parent, filled for both parents and the child
• in case one of the parents was entitled to maternity benefit, an official confirmation (Potvrzení o nároku na dávku) from the Czech Social Security Administration (MSSZ) is needed. This is how you apply for it:You will have to visit social security yourself (address: Veveří 5, they’re open every Monday and Wednesday), stop by at the counter 4 (first door on the left) and apply to get the confirmation of your maternity benefit. (Potvrzení o nároku na dávku in Czech)  You can find the needed form here, fill up section A and B and take it to the office together with your residence permit.
• for people having earned money in the Czech Republic for at least 12 months before giving birth, a similar confirmation (Potvrzení o denním vyměřovacím základu) is needed in cases when none of the parents was eligible for maternity benefit but the income²⁰ of one of them during the 12 months preceding the month when the baby was born makes it possible to calculate²¹ a daily basis of assessment and thus entitles the parent to parental benefit without a fixed maximal limit²².  The income of the other parent during this 12-moth period can also be used for the calculation of the daily basis in case it is higher than that of the parent with maternity benefit. This is how you apply for it:
  1) You have to obtain a document called Příloha k žádosti o dávku from your employer. Contact your employer, the department of accounting, they have to fill it up with the overview of 12 monthly salaries before your child was born.
  2) Then you will have to fill up a form called Potvrzení o denním vyměřovacím základu ovlivňujícím výši rodičovského příspěvku. You have to fill it up, leaving out only section D (will be filled by MSSZ).
  3) You will take both these documents to the MSSZ (street: Veveří 5), first door on the left, counter 4. The clerk will calculate your daily basis (denní vyměřovací základ in Czech) and write it to the section D of the form Potvrzení o denním vyměřovacím základu ovlivňujícím výši rodičovského příspěvku. The clerk will keep the form called Příloha k žádosti o dávku, you have to keep the form Potvrzení o denním vyměřovacím základu ovlivňujícím výši rodičovského příspěvku.
  4) You will take this number, multiply it by 30 and then multiply it by 0,7. The resulting number is the maximum monthly amount you can apply for. It is up to you to decide how much money you want to collect each month, the daily basis only establishes the maximum. You need to bear in mind though that the full amount of parental benefit you are eligible for is still 300 000 CZK(children born in 2023 and earlier)/350 000 CZK (children born in 2024). This means that the higher amount of money you choose to collect each month, the sooner you will use the full benefit. You can collect it up until your baby turns four and you can change this amount every three months.
• for people having earned money in another EU country for at least 12 months before giving birth, if none of the parents was eligible for maternity benefit, but the income²⁰ of one of them during the 12 months preceding the month when the baby was born makes it possible to calculate²¹ a daily basis of assessment and thus entitles the parent to parental benefit without a fixed maximal limit²², this person needs to bring a document showing their earnings during the above-mentioned 12-month period of time to the labour office. Either official payslips or a signed and stamped proclamation from the foreign employer will do. The income of this parent (mother or father) during this 12-moth period can also be used for the calculation of the daily basis in case it is higher than that of the parent with maternity benefit.
• birth certificate of the youngest child(ren)(translation not needed)
• valid identity card / passport (all the family members except for the baby if such document has not been issued yet)
• valid residence documents (all the family members except for the baby if such document has not been issued yet). EU citizens should bring their temporary residence certificates if they have them. However, it is not a legal obligation for EU citizens to apply for this document. Those who don´t have it, don´t need it for the purpose of applying for parental benefit either.
• for employees only: the confirmation of employment showing when the employment started and when it ends (both father and mother, if they are both employed)
• for businessperson: a Czech trade license (both father and mother, if they are both self-employed)
• for unemployed: a sworn statement that this person is not employed in the Czech Republic nor anywhere else, to be filled at the office
• other²⁶

26. In rare cases only: a/ lease or an affirmation of your accommodation done by your landlord (= the owner of the flat or house, b/ certified translation into Czech of the marriage certificate (with higher recognition such as Apostille or superlegalization)

• valid work contract and confirmation of current employment (the signature of the employer should not be older than a couple of weeks). (employees only)
  • if at the time of applying for the benefit both parents are officially employed (although the mother is already on a maternity / parental leave), both parents are required to provide such information
  • if only one parent is employed and the other one is involved in the application procedure (e.g. when a mother is the applicant but they use the income of the father to prove the family income), the one not working will be asked to hand in a written proclamation

Usually, this proclamation needs to be written in Czech (only some officials accept English too) and can be hand-written or printed. The content should be similar to ‘I, full name, ID/residence number, rodné číslo, living on address in Brno declare that I have never worked in the Czech Republic. ’ It should also contain a date, full name and signature on the bottom. Sometimes mothers are also asked to add a section about never getting maternity benefit in the Czech Republic, as well.

Parental benefit (rodičovský příspěvek) is the most important social benefit available through the State Social Support. It is an important contribution for parents available on request for both the mother and the father. This allowance is covered by the state social support (státní sociální podpora) and granted to the parent on a parental leave¹ (rodičovská dovolená)² (Article 196 of Labour Code) in order to enable a better care of a child at the maximum age of four (children born in 2023 and earlier)/three (children born in 2024) or until the total amount of the parental benefit paid reaches the sum of CZK 300,000 (children born in 2023 and earlier)/350 000 CZK (children born in 2024) on one child or CZK 450,000(children born in 2023 and earlier)/525 000 CZK (children born in 2024) in case of multiple children (twins, triplets etc.).

1. There are situations (usually during the month when the parent switches from maternity to parental benefit) when parental benefit is used to cover the difference between the full monthly amount of maternity benefit (or any other social benefit such as sickness benefit) and the amount assigned to that month according to the number of calendar days during which the parent is still eligible for the benefit. In case of the maternity / parental benefits the following month is already fully covered by the parental benefit.

2. Parents (both female and male employees) in the Czech Republic have a legal right to be granted parental leave by their employer. This entitlement and its scope are upon their request but only until the child turns three. The parents have a possibility to ask for one extra year of approved absence from work to take care of their child (pracovní volno z důvodů péče o dítě) and the decision is up to their employer. Both men and women are entitled to parental leave – the mother can apply once her maternity leave finishes, the father right after the baby is born. Parental leave does not need to be used at once – between the first and third year of age of the child the mother or the father can return to work and then request parental leave again. The parents can take turns in taking parental leave or they can take it at the same time. When back at work after parental leave, the employees must be offered a position according to their work contract but during the time they spent at home they are not entitled to any wage and this period is seen as a period of absence for annual leave purposes.

Foreign parents are entitled to parental benefit if they meet the following conditions⁵ :

If you are an EU citizen, your eligibility to the parental benefit in the Czech Republic depends on the place of your economic activity and / or your residence.

• If both (or at least one) parents are economically active and reside in the Czech Republic, you are entitled to the parental benefit.
• If both (or at least one) parents are economically active in two EU countries, it is the residence that matters and determines in which country they are eligible for the benefit.
• Your employment status matters in some situations as well as – when considering eligibility for parental benefit in the Czech Republic – employment abroad has a higher value than self-employment here.

Once your eligibility has been established on the basis of residence and employment, there are a few more conditions – equally valid for both Czech and foreign parents – that need to be met. They concern the extent to which the parents on parental leave drawing the state social benefit can take advantage of nurseries, (specialized) care centres and pre-school establishments. The general rules are as follows:

• Children younger than two: 92 hours / month
• Children of disabled parents: no more than 4 hours / day
• Disabled children: no more than 6 hours / day

In general, the parent is allowed to work and draw parental allowance but, while working⁶, the parent must make sure that the child will be taken care of by another adult person.

The parent’s income is not tested either at this point yet the previous eligibility for maternity benefit and the monthly amount you were accorded play important roles in the way you will be allowed to draw and regulate your parental benefit.

5. Please, note that assessing eligibility for parental benefit is usually done in person as it requires a very specific approach and tends to vary case to case. In the section ´Entitlement to benefits´ on the website of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs you can read a more precise explanation of the required conditions.

6. Self-employed parents who continue their business are, of course, still obliged to pay their social and health insurance advance payments.

As we have already established, parental benefit is an allowance for parents duly caring for their youngest child and it is limited by time (4 years of the child´s age) and / or by a total amount that can be allocated per child (CZK 300,000 – children born in 2023 and earlier/350 000 CZK – children born in 2024⁷ . If the daily basis of assessment can be determined for both parents, the calculation is based on the higher one.

Once granted, parental benefit can be paid up to 3 months back⁸ from the date of application. The parent can change this monthly amount every three months.

Changes in parental benefit

Parental benefits⁹ has undergone changes which are valid from January 1, 2020.

The changes are overall positive. Thanks to higher monthly limits parents can draw the allocated money quicker. Also, children younger than 2 years of age can now spend more time in pre-school establishments. Last but not least, the total amount of parental benefit in case of one or multiple children (twins, triplets etc.) has been increased.

The new conditions apply to anyone who applies from January 1 2020 onward as well as on the parents who are already getting parental benefit. The total amount of the benefit is increased automatically. If a family drawing the benefit in the maximal allowed monthly sum wish to increase it to the new maximum, they need to apply via a standard form Volba výše rodičovského příspěvku no sooner than 3 months since the last change of their monthly amount.

Calculation of a monthly benefit

The maximal height of a monthly parental benefit depends on whether the daily basis of assessment for determination of your maternity benefit¹¹ can be calculated or not. This (im)possibility to assess one’s daily basis is determined by

• the fact whether the parent was or was not eligible for a maternity benefit
• the fact whether the parent was economically active and thus contributing towards their sickness insurance¹² 12 months prior to the month the child was born in

the country/ies¹³ the parent worked in during the above-mentioned period of time

• the height of the parent’s income during the above-mentioned period of time

a/ DAILY BASIS OF ASSESSMENT CAN BE ESTABLISHED

If at least one parent was eligible for and therefore drawing maternity benefit or if at least for one of the parents it is possible to calculate a daily basis of assessment¹⁴ , the maximal monthly amount can be as high as their (hypothetical) maternity benefit.

PB max = 30 x daily basis x 0.7

You can also use a simple online calculator.

b/ DAILY BASIS OF ASSESSMENT CANNOT BE ESTABLISHED

In case none of the parents was entitled to maternity benefit and the daily basis assessment¹⁵ cannot be calculated for any of them either, the maximal monthly amount of parental benefit is clearly set.

PB max = CZK 13,000

Men

If the mother of the child is not eligible for parental benefit, or if she is not happy with the maximal monthly amount based on her previous income and (therefore) sickness insurance contributions, the allowance can be drawn by the father of the child in case he meets all the required conditions.

Multiple children

By nature parental benefit is a social benefit supporting the parent taking care of the child(ren), not the child(dren) themselves. That is why even in case of multiple children (twins, triplets etc.) there is only one benefit. The conditions of eligibility are identical with those concerning parental benefit for one child. However, the maximal possible amount of parental benefit for parents with multiple children is higher – CZK 450,000(children born in 2023 and earlier)/525 000 CZK (children born in 2024). Also the formula defining the maximal monthly amount is different:

• PB max = 30 x daily basis of assessment x 1.5 in case of parents whose daily basis can be assessed
• PB max = CZK 19,500 in case of parents whose daily basis cannot be assessed

Monthly amount of parental benefit can be changed every three months.

A second child

In case a second child is born while still drawing parental benefit, the parents (mother or father) need to meet the same basic conditions (270 days / 2 years – employees, 270 and 180 / 2 and 1 years – self-employed) as when applying for the first maternity benefit. The two last calendar years preceding the start of the second maternity leave are taken into account.

However, it also happens that your second child arrives before you’ve withdrawn your first parental benefit in full. These are called ‘chain births’ (= the mother starts the second maternity leave before the first child turns three), and the eligibility for the second maternity benefit is based on the same data as the previous one. The situations then may vary¹⁶ according to the parent’s job situation or type of employment (self-employed, employee etc.) and it is therefore highly recommended to visit the Employment office in person and assess your situation with one of the officials.

In case you (or your spouse/partner, due to better work or insurance conditions) are entitled to the second maternity benefit, it, once again, depends on your specific situation how the rest of your parental benefit can be used up in the most efficient way.

In case you have enough time, you can increase the monthly amount to its maximum. If it still is not enough to use up as much benefit you are entitled to as possible, you can swap with your partner/spouse and draw the rest of the benefit under different (= more convenient) conditions.

If neither you nor your partner can reach the monthly amount of money that would lead to a complete withdrawal of the benefit, you’re, under certain conditions¹⁷ entitled to get the rest of the money back in a lump sum. To achieve it, you first need to announce at the Employment office (State social support department) that you are soon having a new baby, will be applying for the next maternity benefit and are, therefore, cancelling the collection of the current benefit. You will do this by filling up a document called Hlášení změn (Report of Changes) with the due date at least one day before going on the maternity leave with the new child¹⁸,¹⁹. Later, when the second child is born, you will deliver the Birth certificate of the given child to the office together with another Hlášení změn (Report of Changes) document in which you will write that you’re applying for the rest of the money from the parental benefit connected with the first child in a lump sum. The due date of this document is the first day when your maternity leave for the second child ends¹⁸,¹⁹.

If you’re not entitled for the maternity benefit for the second child, you do not have to cancel the collection of the first benefit before using the full amount of money, you´re allowed to apply for the second parental benefit only when the first one is completely used.

7. CZK 450,000(children born in 2023 and earlier)/525 000 CZK (children born in 2024) in case of multiple children (twins, triplets etc.)

8. In case in one of these months parental benefit ´collides´ with maternity benefit (e.g. your maternity benefit finishes on March 15 and you apply for parental benefit on June 1), the amount of parental benefit for that month will be the difference between its full  monthly amount and the amount of maternity benefit for that particular month.

9.  You´ll find more information (in Czech only) on the website of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.

11. For more information see the section ‘Benefit’ in the previous part ‘Maternity benefit’.

12. Calendar days parents spend on a maternity leave are considered as days with valid sickness insurance – for example for the purpose of assessing the daily basis when applying for parental benefit.

13. If it was the Czech Republic, an EU country or a nonEU country with a bilateral treaty covering social benefits, the parent’s daily basis can be assessed by the local Social insurance office. If it was a nonEU country without a bilateral treaty, it is not possible.

14. The parent was economically active during 12 months preceding the month the baby was born in in a country that allows calculation of a daily basis assessment.

15. The parent was economically active during 12 months preceding the month the baby was born in in a country that allows calculation of a daily basis assessment.

16. Have a look at this very useful overview of various situations that could happen when expecting a second child and re-applying for maternity benefit. In Czech only, unfortunately.

17. In case the second child is born after 1 July 2021, at least of the parents is economically active, the mother is eligible for the maternity benefit for the second child, or one of the parents can have their daily basis in connection with the second baby assessed.

18.You cannot withdraw parental benefit for the first child and the maternity benefit for the second child at the same time.

19. The document has to be filled up in Czech. It does not have to be grammatically correct though so you can use online internet translators.

The procedure of applying for parental benefit is a rather simple one. Mother or father can apply. As for the timing, the mother of the child can apply right after finishing her maternity leave or, in case she is not entitled to maternity benefit, right after her baby is born. In case the mother is not drawing maternity benefit, the father of the child can apply from the day the baby is born.

You apply at the regional Employment office, at the department of the State Social Support (Úřad práce, Státní sociální podpora, Polní 1011/37, tram stop Vojtova) that belongs under the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.

Required documents

Please, note that the required documents may vary according to what your purpose of the visit is (first registration, changes in your current parental benefit). Also, although there is always only one final applicant for a benefit, sometimes both parents need to be assessed and therefore both need to bring the necessary documents.

• form called Application for parental benefit (Žádost o rodičovský příspěvek) signed by the applicant and the second parent
• form called Supplementary information about the family members for the purpose of providing benefits in the EU (Doplňující údaje o společně posuzovaných osobách pro účely vyplácení dávek v rámci EU) signed by the applicant and the second parent, filled for both parents and the child
• in case one of the parents was entitled to maternity benefit, an official confirmation (Potvrzení o nároku na dávku) from the Czech Social Security Administration (MSSZ) is needed. This is how you apply for it:You will have to visit social security yourself (address: Veveří 5, they’re open every Monday and Wednesday), stop by at the counter 4 (first door on the left) and apply to get the confirmation of your maternity benefit. (Potvrzení o nároku na dávku in Czech)  You can find the needed form here, fill up section A and B and take it to the office together with your residence permit.
• for people having earned money in the Czech Republic for at least 12 months before giving birth, a similar confirmation (Potvrzení o denním vyměřovacím základu) is needed in cases when none of the parents was eligible for maternity benefit but the income²⁰ of one of them during the 12 months preceding the month when the baby was born makes it possible to calculate²¹ a daily basis of assessment and thus entitles the parent to parental benefit without a fixed maximal limit²².  The income of the other parent during this 12-moth period can also be used for the calculation of the daily basis in case it is higher than that of the parent with maternity benefit. This is how you apply for it:
  1) You have to obtain a document called Příloha k žádosti o dávku from your employer. Contact your employer, the department of accounting, they have to fill it up with the overview of 12 monthly salaries before your child was born.
  2) Then you will have to fill up a form called Potvrzení o denním vyměřovacím základu ovlivňujícím výši rodičovského příspěvku. You have to fill it up, leaving out only section D (will be filled by MSSZ).
  3) You will take both these documents to the MSSZ (street: Veveří 5), first door on the left, counter 4. The clerk will calculate your daily basis (denní vyměřovací základ in Czech) and write it to the section D of the form Potvrzení o denním vyměřovacím základu ovlivňujícím výši rodičovského příspěvku. The clerk will keep the form called Příloha k žádosti o dávku, you have to keep the form Potvrzení o denním vyměřovacím základu ovlivňujícím výši rodičovského příspěvku.
  4) You will take this number, multiply it by 30 and then multiply it by 0,7. The resulting number is the maximum monthly amount you can apply for. It is up to you to decide how much money you want to collect each month, the daily basis only establishes the maximum. You need to bear in mind though that the full amount of parental benefit you are eligible for is still 300 000 CZK(children born in 2023 and earlier)/350 000 CZK (children born in 2024). This means that the higher amount of money you choose to collect each month, the sooner you will use the full benefit. You can collect it up until your baby turns four and you can change this amount every three months.
• for people having earned money in another EU country for at least 12 months before giving birth, if none of the parents was eligible for maternity benefit, but the income²⁰ of one of them during the 12 months preceding the month when the baby was born makes it possible to calculate²¹ a daily basis of assessment and thus entitles the parent to parental benefit without a fixed maximal limit²², this person needs to bring a document showing their earnings during the above-mentioned 12-month period of time to the labour office. Either official payslips or a signed and stamped proclamation from the foreign employer will do. The income of this parent (mother or father) during this 12-moth period can also be used for the calculation of the daily basis in case it is higher than that of the parent with maternity benefit.
• birth certificate of the youngest child(ren)(translation not needed)
• valid identity card / passport (all the family members except for the baby if such document has not been issued yet)
• valid residence documents (all the family members except for the baby if such document has not been issued yet). EU citizens should bring their temporary residence certificates if they have them. However, it is not a legal obligation for EU citizens to apply for this document. Those who don´t have it, don´t need it for the purpose of applying for parental benefit either.
• for employees only: the confirmation of employment showing when the employment started and when it ends (both father and mother, if they are both employed)
• for businessperson: a Czech trade license (both father and mother, if they are both self-employed)
• for unemployed: a sworn statement that this person is not employed in the Czech Republic nor anywhere else, to be filled at the office
• other²⁶

26. In rare cases only: a/ lease or an affirmation of your accommodation done by your landlord (= the owner of the flat or house, b/ certified translation into Czech of the marriage certificate (with higher recognition such as Apostille or superlegalization)

• trade license and the most recent tax overview, if you already have one
  • if only one parent is self-employed and the other one is involved in the application procedure (e.g. when a self-employed mother is the applicant but they use the income of the father to prove the family income or the father is unemployed), the parent who is not working will be asked to hand in a written proclamation²⁸ . The employed one will be asked to provide a valid work contract and confirmation of current employment (the signature of the employer should not be older than a couple of weeks).

28. Usually, this proclamation needs to be written in Czech (only some officials accept English too) and can be hand-written or printed. The content should be similar to ‘I, full name, ID/residence number, rodné číslo, living on address in Brno declare that I have never worked in the Czech Republic. ’ It should also contain a date, full name and signature on the bottom. Sometimes mothers are also asked to add a section about never getting maternity benefit in the Czech Republic, as well.

Parental benefit (rodičovský příspěvek) is the most important social benefit available through the State Social Support. It is an important contribution for parents available on request for both the mother and the father. This allowance is covered by the state social support (státní sociální podpora) and granted to the parent on a parental leave¹ (rodičovská dovolená)² (Article 196 of Labour Code) in order to enable a better care of a child at the maximum age of four (children born in 2023 and earlier)/three (children born in 2024) or until the total amount of the parental benefit paid reaches the sum of CZK 300,000 (children born in 2023 and earlier)/350 000 CZK (children born in 2024) on one child or CZK 450,000(children born in 2023 and earlier)/525 000 CZK (children born in 2024) in case of multiple children (twins, triplets etc.).

1. There are situations (usually during the month when the parent switches from maternity to parental benefit) when parental benefit is used to cover the difference between the full monthly amount of maternity benefit (or any other social benefit such as sickness benefit) and the amount assigned to that month according to the number of calendar days during which the parent is still eligible for the benefit. In case of the maternity / parental benefits the following month is already fully covered by the parental benefit.

2. Parents (both female and male employees) in the Czech Republic have a legal right to be granted parental leave by their employer. This entitlement and its scope are upon their request but only until the child turns three. The parents have a possibility to ask for one extra year of approved absence from work to take care of their child (pracovní volno z důvodů péče o dítě) and the decision is up to their employer. Both men and women are entitled to parental leave – the mother can apply once her maternity leave finishes, the father right after the baby is born. Parental leave does not need to be used at once – between the first and third year of age of the child the mother or the father can return to work and then request parental leave again. The parents can take turns in taking parental leave or they can take it at the same time. When back at work after parental leave, the employees must be offered a position according to their work contract but during the time they spent at home they are not entitled to any wage and this period is seen as a period of absence for annual leave purposes.

Foreign parents are entitled to parental benefit if they meet the following conditions⁵ :

If you are an EU citizen, your eligibility to the parental benefit in the Czech Republic depends on the place of your economic activity and / or your residence.

• If both (or at least one) parents are economically active and reside in the Czech Republic, you are entitled to the parental benefit.
• If both (or at least one) parents are economically active in two EU countries, it is the residence that matters and determines in which country they are eligible for the benefit.
• Your employment status matters in some situations as well as – when considering eligibility for parental benefit in the Czech Republic – employment abroad has a higher value than self-employment here.

Once your eligibility has been established on the basis of residence and employment, there are a few more conditions – equally valid for both Czech and foreign parents – that need to be met. They concern the extent to which the parents on parental leave drawing the state social benefit can take advantage of nurseries, (specialized) care centres and pre-school establishments. The general rules are as follows:

• Children younger than two: 92 hours / month
• Children of disabled parents: no more than 4 hours / day
• Disabled children: no more than 6 hours / day

In general, the parent is allowed to work and draw parental allowance but, while working⁶, the parent must make sure that the child will be taken care of by another adult person.

The parent’s income is not tested either at this point yet the previous eligibility for maternity benefit and the monthly amount you were accorded play important roles in the way you will be allowed to draw and regulate your parental benefit.

5. Please, note that assessing eligibility for parental benefit is usually done in person as it requires a very specific approach and tends to vary case to case. In the section ´Entitlement to benefits´ on the website of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs you can read a more precise explanation of the required conditions.

6. Self-employed parents who continue their business are, of course, still obliged to pay their social and health insurance advance payments.

As we have already established, parental benefit is an allowance for parents duly caring for their youngest child and it is limited by time (4 years of the child´s age) and / or by a total amount that can be allocated per child (CZK 300,000 – children born in 2023 and earlier/350 000 CZK – children born in 2024⁷ . If the daily basis of assessment can be determined for both parents, the calculation is based on the higher one.

Once granted, parental benefit can be paid up to 3 months back⁸ from the date of application. The parent can change this monthly amount every three months.

Changes in parental benefit

Parental benefits⁹ has undergone changes which are valid from January 1, 2020.

The changes are overall positive. Thanks to higher monthly limits parents can draw the allocated money quicker. Also, children younger than 2 years of age can now spend more time in pre-school establishments. Last but not least, the total amount of parental benefit in case of one or multiple children (twins, triplets etc.) has been increased.

The new conditions apply to anyone who applies from January 1 2020 onward as well as on the parents who are already getting parental benefit. The total amount of the benefit is increased automatically. If a family drawing the benefit in the maximal allowed monthly sum wish to increase it to the new maximum, they need to apply via a standard form Volba výše rodičovského příspěvku no sooner than 3 months since the last change of their monthly amount.

Calculation of a monthly benefit

The maximal height of a monthly parental benefit depends on whether the daily basis of assessment for determination of your maternity benefit¹¹ can be calculated or not. This (im)possibility to assess one’s daily basis is determined by

• the fact whether the parent was or was not eligible for a maternity benefit
• the fact whether the parent was economically active and thus contributing towards their sickness insurance¹² 12 months prior to the month the child was born in

the country/ies¹³ the parent worked in during the above-mentioned period of time

• the height of the parent’s income during the above-mentioned period of time

a/ DAILY BASIS OF ASSESSMENT CAN BE ESTABLISHED

If at least one parent was eligible for and therefore drawing maternity benefit or if at least for one of the parents it is possible to calculate a daily basis of assessment¹⁴ , the maximal monthly amount can be as high as their (hypothetical) maternity benefit.

PB max = 30 x daily basis x 0.7

You can also use a simple online calculator.

b/ DAILY BASIS OF ASSESSMENT CANNOT BE ESTABLISHED

In case none of the parents was entitled to maternity benefit and the daily basis assessment¹⁵ cannot be calculated for any of them either, the maximal monthly amount of parental benefit is clearly set.

PB max = CZK 13,000

Men

If the mother of the child is not eligible for parental benefit, or if she is not happy with the maximal monthly amount based on her previous income and (therefore) sickness insurance contributions, the allowance can be drawn by the father of the child in case he meets all the required conditions.

Multiple children

By nature parental benefit is a social benefit supporting the parent taking care of the child(ren), not the child(dren) themselves. That is why even in case of multiple children (twins, triplets etc.) there is only one benefit. The conditions of eligibility are identical with those concerning parental benefit for one child. However, the maximal possible amount of parental benefit for parents with multiple children is higher – CZK 450,000(children born in 2023 and earlier)/525 000 CZK (children born in 2024). Also the formula defining the maximal monthly amount is different:

• PB max = 30 x daily basis of assessment x 1.5 in case of parents whose daily basis can be assessed
• PB max = CZK 19,500 in case of parents whose daily basis cannot be assessed

Monthly amount of parental benefit can be changed every three months.

A second child

In case a second child is born while still drawing parental benefit, the parents (mother or father) need to meet the same basic conditions (270 days / 2 years – employees, 270 and 180 / 2 and 1 years – self-employed) as when applying for the first maternity benefit. The two last calendar years preceding the start of the second maternity leave are taken into account.

However, it also happens that your second child arrives before you’ve withdrawn your first parental benefit in full. These are called ‘chain births’ (= the mother starts the second maternity leave before the first child turns three), and the eligibility for the second maternity benefit is based on the same data as the previous one. The situations then may vary¹⁶ according to the parent’s job situation or type of employment (self-employed, employee etc.) and it is therefore highly recommended to visit the Employment office in person and assess your situation with one of the officials.

In case you (or your spouse/partner, due to better work or insurance conditions) are entitled to the second maternity benefit, it, once again, depends on your specific situation how the rest of your parental benefit can be used up in the most efficient way.

In case you have enough time, you can increase the monthly amount to its maximum. If it still is not enough to use up as much benefit you are entitled to as possible, you can swap with your partner/spouse and draw the rest of the benefit under different (= more convenient) conditions.

If neither you nor your partner can reach the monthly amount of money that would lead to a complete withdrawal of the benefit, you’re, under certain conditions¹⁷ entitled to get the rest of the money back in a lump sum. To achieve it, you first need to announce at the Employment office (State social support department) that you are soon having a new baby, will be applying for the next maternity benefit and are, therefore, cancelling the collection of the current benefit. You will do this by filling up a document called Hlášení změn (Report of Changes) with the due date at least one day before going on the maternity leave with the new child¹⁸,¹⁹. Later, when the second child is born, you will deliver the Birth certificate of the given child to the office together with another Hlášení změn (Report of Changes) document in which you will write that you’re applying for the rest of the money from the parental benefit connected with the first child in a lump sum. The due date of this document is the first day when your maternity leave for the second child ends¹⁸,¹⁹.

If you’re not entitled for the maternity benefit for the second child, you do not have to cancel the collection of the first benefit before using the full amount of money, you´re allowed to apply for the second parental benefit only when the first one is completely used.

7. CZK 450,000(children born in 2023 and earlier)/525 000 CZK (children born in 2024) in case of multiple children (twins, triplets etc.)

8. In case in one of these months parental benefit ´collides´ with maternity benefit (e.g. your maternity benefit finishes on March 15 and you apply for parental benefit on June 1), the amount of parental benefit for that month will be the difference between its full  monthly amount and the amount of maternity benefit for that particular month.

9.  You´ll find more information (in Czech only) on the website of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.

11. For more information see the section ‘Benefit’ in the previous part ‘Maternity benefit’.

12. Calendar days parents spend on a maternity leave are considered as days with valid sickness insurance – for example for the purpose of assessing the daily basis when applying for parental benefit.

13. If it was the Czech Republic, an EU country or a nonEU country with a bilateral treaty covering social benefits, the parent’s daily basis can be assessed by the local Social insurance office. If it was a nonEU country without a bilateral treaty, it is not possible.

14. The parent was economically active during 12 months preceding the month the baby was born in in a country that allows calculation of a daily basis assessment.

15. The parent was economically active during 12 months preceding the month the baby was born in in a country that allows calculation of a daily basis assessment.

16. Have a look at this very useful overview of various situations that could happen when expecting a second child and re-applying for maternity benefit. In Czech only, unfortunately.

17. In case the second child is born after 1 July 2021, at least of the parents is economically active, the mother is eligible for the maternity benefit for the second child, or one of the parents can have their daily basis in connection with the second baby assessed.

18.You cannot withdraw parental benefit for the first child and the maternity benefit for the second child at the same time.

19. The document has to be filled up in Czech. It does not have to be grammatically correct though so you can use online internet translators.

The procedure of applying for parental benefit is a rather simple one. Mother or father can apply. As for the timing, the mother of the child can apply right after finishing her maternity leave or, in case she is not entitled to maternity benefit, right after her baby is born. In case the mother is not drawing maternity benefit, the father of the child can apply from the day the baby is born.

You apply at the regional Employment office, at the department of the State Social Support (Úřad práce, Státní sociální podpora, Polní 1011/37, tram stop Vojtova) that belongs under the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.

Required documents

Please, note that the required documents may vary according to what your purpose of the visit is (first registration, changes in your current parental benefit). Also, although there is always only one final applicant for a benefit, sometimes both parents need to be assessed and therefore both need to bring the necessary documents.

• form called Application for parental benefit (Žádost o rodičovský příspěvek) signed by the applicant and the second parent
• form called Supplementary information about the family members for the purpose of providing benefits in the EU (Doplňující údaje o společně posuzovaných osobách pro účely vyplácení dávek v rámci EU) signed by the applicant and the second parent, filled for both parents and the child
• in case one of the parents was entitled to maternity benefit, an official confirmation (Potvrzení o nároku na dávku) from the Czech Social Security Administration (MSSZ) is needed. This is how you apply for it:You will have to visit social security yourself (address: Veveří 5, they’re open every Monday and Wednesday), stop by at the counter 4 (first door on the left) and apply to get the confirmation of your maternity benefit. (Potvrzení o nároku na dávku in Czech)  You can find the needed form here, fill up section A and B and take it to the office together with your residence permit.
• for people having earned money in the Czech Republic for at least 12 months before giving birth, a similar confirmation (Potvrzení o denním vyměřovacím základu) is needed in cases when none of the parents was eligible for maternity benefit but the income²⁰ of one of them during the 12 months preceding the month when the baby was born makes it possible to calculate²¹ a daily basis of assessment and thus entitles the parent to parental benefit without a fixed maximal limit²².  The income of the other parent during this 12-moth period can also be used for the calculation of the daily basis in case it is higher than that of the parent with maternity benefit. This is how you apply for it:
  1) You have to obtain a document called Příloha k žádosti o dávku from your employer. Contact your employer, the department of accounting, they have to fill it up with the overview of 12 monthly salaries before your child was born.
  2) Then you will have to fill up a form called Potvrzení o denním vyměřovacím základu ovlivňujícím výši rodičovského příspěvku. You have to fill it up, leaving out only section D (will be filled by MSSZ).
  3) You will take both these documents to the MSSZ (street: Veveří 5), first door on the left, counter 4. The clerk will calculate your daily basis (denní vyměřovací základ in Czech) and write it to the section D of the form Potvrzení o denním vyměřovacím základu ovlivňujícím výši rodičovského příspěvku. The clerk will keep the form called Příloha k žádosti o dávku, you have to keep the form Potvrzení o denním vyměřovacím základu ovlivňujícím výši rodičovského příspěvku.
  4) You will take this number, multiply it by 30 and then multiply it by 0,7. The resulting number is the maximum monthly amount you can apply for. It is up to you to decide how much money you want to collect each month, the daily basis only establishes the maximum. You need to bear in mind though that the full amount of parental benefit you are eligible for is still 300 000 CZK(children born in 2023 and earlier)/350 000 CZK (children born in 2024). This means that the higher amount of money you choose to collect each month, the sooner you will use the full benefit. You can collect it up until your baby turns four and you can change this amount every three months.
• for people having earned money in another EU country for at least 12 months before giving birth, if none of the parents was eligible for maternity benefit, but the income²⁰ of one of them during the 12 months preceding the month when the baby was born makes it possible to calculate²¹ a daily basis of assessment and thus entitles the parent to parental benefit without a fixed maximal limit²², this person needs to bring a document showing their earnings during the above-mentioned 12-month period of time to the labour office. Either official payslips or a signed and stamped proclamation from the foreign employer will do. The income of this parent (mother or father) during this 12-moth period can also be used for the calculation of the daily basis in case it is higher than that of the parent with maternity benefit.
• birth certificate of the youngest child(ren)(translation not needed)
• valid identity card / passport (all the family members except for the baby if such document has not been issued yet)
• valid residence documents (all the family members except for the baby if such document has not been issued yet). EU citizens should bring their temporary residence certificates if they have them. However, it is not a legal obligation for EU citizens to apply for this document. Those who don´t have it, don´t need it for the purpose of applying for parental benefit either.
• for employees only: the confirmation of employment showing when the employment started and when it ends (both father and mother, if they are both employed)
• for businessperson: a Czech trade license (both father and mother, if they are both self-employed)
• for unemployed: a sworn statement that this person is not employed in the Czech Republic nor anywhere else, to be filled at the office
• other²⁶

26. In rare cases only: a/ lease or an affirmation of your accommodation done by your landlord (= the owner of the flat or house, b/ certified translation into Czech of the marriage certificate (with higher recognition such as Apostille or superlegalization)

• written proclamation
  • if only one parent is unemployed and the other one is involved in the application procedure (e.g. when a mother is the applicant but they use the income of the father to prove the family income), the parent who is not working will be asked to hand in a written proclamation²⁹ . The employed one will be asked to provide a valid work contract and confirmation of current employment (the signature of the employer should not be older than a couple of weeks), the self-employed one will need to bring their trade license and the most recent tax overview, if they already have one.
• if none of the parents are (self-)employed, probably both will be asked to do such proclamations

29. Usually, this proclamation needs to be written in Czech (only some officials accept English too) and can be hand-written or printed. The content should be similar to ‘I, full name, ID/residence number, rodné číslo, living on address in Brno declare that I have never worked in the Czech Republic. ’ It should also contain a date, full name and signature on the bottom. Sometimes mothers are also asked to add a section about never getting maternity benefit in the Czech Republic, as well.