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Maternity parental benefit
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Last modified 15.07.2026
Maternity parental benefit
Maternity parental benefit is a financial support paid to mothers during childbirth and the first months of a child’s life. The amount of the benefit depends on the mother’s income prior to the birth of the child and is calculated based on income subject to social tax.
A working mother is entitled to maternity parental benefit for a total of 100 consecutive calendar days, of which:
- 70 days are allocated before the expected date of birth
- 30 days after the birth of the child
If the mother was not employed before the birth of the child, the benefit is paid for 30 days starting from the child’s date of birth.
During the payment of maternity parental benefit, employment under an employment contract or in public service is not permitted.
Calculation of the benefit
The maternity parental benefit is calculated based on a 12-month reference period:
- for a working mother, the reference period ends 9 months before the expected date of birth
- for a non-working mother, the reference period ends on the actual date of birth
Income subject to social tax received during this period is added together and divided by 12 to determine the average monthly income, which forms the basis for calculating the benefit.
If there was no income during the reference period, the benefit is paid at the minimum rate, which in 2026 is 820 euros per month.
If the income was lower than the minimum wage, the benefit is paid based on the minimum wage, which in 2026 is 886 euros per month.
Payment and taxation
The maternity parental benefit is paid once per month, for the previous month, on the 8th day of the following month. If the payment date falls on a weekend or public holiday, payment is made on the preceding working day.
The maternity parental benefit is subject to income tax, and the mother may submit an application to apply the tax-free allowance.
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Maternity parental benefit
Important to know concerning this step
Last modified 15.07.2026
- The maternity parental benefit for a working mother is calculated based on the expected date of birth.
- For a non-working mother, the benefit is calculated based on the actual date of birth. The same principle applies to the father’s parental benefit and shared parental benefit.
The calculation is based on a 12-month reference period that begins 21 months and ends 9 months before the expected date of birth or the child’s birth – in other words, the 12 full months preceding the start of pregnancy. The benefit amount is calculated based on income subject to social tax during this period.
To calculate the daily rate, the monthly rate is divided by 30. The final amount of maternity parental benefit depends on the number of days in a calendar month, meaning the benefit amount may vary from month to month.
More information about maternity parental benefit and its calculation is available on the website of the Sotsiaalkindlustusamet.
Contacts
The Social Insurance Board determines and pays parental benefits, childbirth allowances, and other family benefits. It also supports families with children with special needs and offers assistance in crisis situations, including victim support.
Paldiski mnt 80, 15092 Tallinn
+372 612 1360