Italy's new parental leave 2022 is here. The decree including new rights for parental leave in Italy focuses on changes introduced by an EU directive on work-life balance for parents and carers. Italy, from now on, conforms to the European context. We have all the details, including the existing rules for parental leave in Italy and news on allowances.
How long is parental leave in Italy?
How long is maternity leave in Italy? How much paternity leave are fathers entitled to in Italy? Female employees in Italy are eligible to receive 5 months of paid maternity leave. Maternity leave is compulsory and typically, the mother is required to take 2 months off before giving birth and 3 months following the birth. As for paternity leave, in 2021 Italy increased paid paternity leave from 7 to 10 working days, with an optional extra day which can be given up by the mother.
New parental leave regulations in Italy 2022: allowances
Italy's new parental leave regulations officially started on 13th August 2022. Until now, parental leave provided for an allowance up to the sixth year of the child's life equal to 30% of the salary, for a maximum period of six months in total between both parents (thus, also all six months taken by one parent).
The new parental leave rules in Italy extend the right to the allowance up to the child's 12th birthday with a different division between the parents. In addition, the total duration of leave granted to the lone parent increases from 10 to 11 months (support for single parent households).
The new parental leave also extends the duration of the compensable period at the expense of Inps by 30%, which increases from 6 to 9 months, without prejudice to the maximum limits of leave that can be taken by parents (to the extent of 3 months, non-transferable, to each parent for a total period of 6 months.
The allowance payable to parents, alternatively, for the period of extension up to three years of parental leave taken for a child with severe disabilities is 30%.
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