Self-service
Paternity benefit
Pregnancy
Parental benefit and paternity leave planning for fathers
III trimester
Last modified 13.06.2025
The parental benefit for fathers is calculated on the basis of the same daily rate for all calendar months, obtained by dividing the monthly rate by 30. You can claim parental benefit in one period or by planning by days, which you can do via the Social Insurance Self Service.
You can plan paternity leave and paternity allowance from 30 calendar days before the expected date of birth of your child using the planning form in the Social Security Office's self-service.
If you want to claim parental benefit before the birth of your child, you can plan it using the identity number of the mother of the future child and the expected date of birth of the child.
You can always get an offer of parental benefit from the Social Security Office's Self Service after the birth of the child, if you have not planned the benefit before the birth of the child, or if you have done so only partially. The offer will be sent to you after the birth of your child is registered in the population register.
NOTE: The Social Insurance Institution will send an e-mail to the father informing him of the offer you have made. Make sure that your valid e-mail address is available in the Social Security Self Service. Parental benefit for the father is not covered by state sickness insurance. The father's sickness insurance is provided by his employer for this period.
Self-service
Paternity benefit
Important to know concerning this step
Last modified 13.06.2025
The use of parental benefit is child-based. If a father has not used up his parental benefit entitlement with the first child, he does not lose his entitlement to the parental benefit of the father of the first child when the next child is born. The right to use parental benefit for the father lasts until the child is 3 years old.
N.B. The benefit is not paid for two or more children at the same time. In the case of multiple births, the father receives parental allowance as a lump sum.
If the father has unused parental benefit for the first child but has used it for the second child, he is entitled to shared parental benefit with the second child.
The father must take into account that the parental benefit must be used up before the child reaches the age of three, otherwise it will expire. This condition is also child-specific - the 30 days granted for each child will be looked at on the basis of the individual child and his or her age.
References
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