Pregnancy

Below you will find a brief explanation of what to consider when you are pregnant and everything surrounding it while working in the Netherlands. You will also find a number of links to useful websites about pregnancy in the Netherlands.

Pregnancy & work: how is that regulated in the Netherlands?

Counseling during pregnancy - the obstetric

The guidance of pregnant women is organized differently in each country, including the Netherlands. In the Netherlands, a pregnant woman does not automatically go to the gynecologist. An appointment with the gynecologist is only possible after a referral from the obstetric. The obstetric will only do this if complications occur during the pregnancy.

Although you can always consult a GP in the Netherlands, the GP is also not the one who guides pregnant women during pregnancy. In the Netherlands, a pregnant woman goes to the obstetric after 3 months. The obstetric issues a pregnancy statement (not earlier than 3 months) and checks if everything is okay with the baby.

Important: Always look for an obstetric in the area. Although it is understandable that you want to look for an obstetric who may speak your own language, this obstetric often does not live nearby. The obstetric is also the person who is present at the birth. For this, the obstetric must be able to be on site quickly and it is important that she lives nearby.

Home birth

In the Netherlands, it is very common to give birth at home. Only in case of complications is a decision made to give birth in the hospital. This decision is made by the obstetric. Some people specifically want to give birth in the hospital. If there is no medical reason for this, part of the costs of the delivery, approximately €500, will be at the pregnant woman's own expense. The health insurance only covers the costs if a hospital delivery is necessary according to the obstetric.

Maternity leave

On behalf of the government, the UWV is responsible for the allocation and payment of Pregnancy and Maternity Leave and Benefits in the Netherlands. All information about Pregnancy Leave can be found on their website.

In the Netherlands, a pregnant woman continues working until 4 to 6 weeks prior to the due date, then Maternity Leave starts. After giving birth, the woman is still entitled to 10 to 12 weeks of Childbirth Leave. Maternity- and Childbirth leave are covered by the Work and Care Act (WAZO) leave regulations. WAZO is also the name the UWV uses in their letters. Maternity- and Childbirth leave lasts a minimum of 16 weeks in the Netherlands. Sometimes a little longer, if you give birth later than the due date, for example. Then the Maternity- and Childbirth Leave is extended by the number of days you gave birth after the due date. For a calculation tool for the exact dates of your leave, you can find more information from the UWV here.

As a pregnant woman, you have to inform your employer in time whether you want to go on maternity leave 4, 5 or 6 weeks before your due date. Maternity- and childbirth leave is requested by your employer from the UWV. This is because the UWV pays for the WAZO leave. This leave is 100% of the average salary over the past year. For a detailed explanation of this, see this information from the UWV.

Make sure your personal details are always up-to-date with your employer. This is a legal obligation, but it is also important for yourself. When the employer applies for WAZO leave with the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV), they must provide your current address, telephone number, and bank account number to the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV). The Employee Insurance Agency (UWV) may contact you by telephone or letter if they have any questions. If you do not answer the questions from the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV), either by telephone or letter, the benefit may be refused. The employer cannot do anything about this. The employer only applies for the benefit for their pregnant employees. Does something change in your situation while you are receiving a benefit? Notify the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV) of the change as soon as possible; you are responsible for this yourself.

Back to work after giving birth

After the maternity and childbirth leave has ended, you will return to work. Would you like to work less after your leave in order to spend more time with your child? Discuss this well in advance (before you go on leave) with your employer.

At Flexible Human Services you discuss this with your coordinator. Your coordinator will then discuss with you the possibilities of working less. This is not always possible at your own client, so we may also look with you at working for another client. The coordinator will work together with you to find the best solution for your situation.

Childcare

Please note: If you go back to work and there is no one in your environment who can take care of your baby, you will have to arrange childcare. In the Netherlands, childcare is very busy; there are waiting lists for a spot. Therefore, arrange childcare for your child well in advance; apply for childcare as soon as you know you are pregnant. Not arranging childcare (on time) is not a reason not to come to work. Do you need help arranging childcare? At Flexible Human Services you can contact Social Guidance, they can help you find childcare.

In the Netherlands, there is also a childcare allowance. This means that you may be able to get a portion of the childcare costs reimbursed by the Dutch government. Read here more about how the childcare allowance works, what requirements are attached to it and how to apply for it.

Pregnancy & Sickness

Pregnancy is not an illness, but unfortunately it can happen that you get sick with pregnancy-related symptoms. Do you become ill as a result of your pregnancy? Then you must inform your employer as soon as possible, at Flexible Human Services, you report this to social guidance.

You will then be reported by your employer to the UWV for a sickness benefit and you will be called for an appointment with the company doctor. The company doctor will give advice on possible suitable work. The advice of a company doctor is binding and it is your legal obligation to follow this advice. You cannot refuse to perform this possible suitable work, because this will have consequences for your sickness benefit from the UWV.

This may be different from what you are used to in your home country. In the Netherlands, the UWV and the company doctor assume what someone can still do during illness. The company doctor therefore often advises on suitable work. Flexible Human Services has a large client base and we can almost always arrange suitable work for you, which you are expected to perform according to Dutch law.

In the Netherlands, the company doctor is the only doctor who can give advice about (suitable) work. The GP or the obstetric cannot give advice about work. A statement from a gynecologist or doctor from your home country is also not sufficient to not have to work if the company doctor in the Netherlands thinks otherwise. Failure to follow the advice of the company doctor may result in your benefit being stopped.

The Dutch Employee Insurance Agency (UWV) determines whether you are entitled to a Sickness Benefit during your illness due to pregnancy. They pay this benefit directly to you into the bank account number that you have provided to us. The Dutch Employee Insurance Agency (UWV) will contact you to determine whether you are entitled to a Sickness Benefit. Therefore, make sure you are always reachable and respond to letters from the Dutch Employee Insurance Agency (UWV) in a timely manner. Your benefit will be rejected if the Dutch Employee Insurance Agency (UWV) cannot reach you.

Health insurance

Many employees have their Health Insurance arranged through their employer. If you are insured with ZEM (Zorg en Zekerheid) through Flexible Human Services , you are "collectively" insured for the Basic Health Insurance. This collective insurance through the employer is only for working people in the Netherlands. This means that your (unborn) child is NOT co-insured through this insurance.

It is very important that - as soon as you know you are pregnant - you arrange your own private health insurance. It is strongly recommended that in addition to your basic insurance, you take out additional insurance. For example, a special family package in which maternity care is also insured. Our Social Guidance team can inform you about this.

Housing Flexwonen.nu

Are you renting a room through Flexwonen.nu and are you pregnant? Unfortunately, Flexwonen.nu does not allow babies to use and reside in the accommodation.

This is due to several reasons; for example, Flexwonen's housing is not set up for babies; it is not possible to set up a baby room that meets the requirements; the safety facilities are not set up for a baby. There are no birthing facilities and other residents can be greatly inconvenienced by babies.

If you are pregnant, Flexwonen.nu will terminate the contract in time, but no later than when you are 6 months pregnant. This has to do with the fact that you can give birth prematurely and at that time you are still living in the Flexwonen.nu housing location. It is therefore recommended to start looking for a private housing location as soon as you know that you are expecting. You must also register in the BRP (Personal Records Database) with the municipality where you have found private housing. When your baby is born, you must register your baby with the municipality where you live within 3 days. You do this at the municipal counter.

Back to your home country

Would you rather return to your home country now that you are pregnant? That's perfectly understandable. You may have more family or friends living there and you may be more familiar with everything you need to arrange.

Be sure to timely terminate your contract at Flexible Human Services termination. If applicable: Please also provide the UWV with your correct (new) contact information and follow the UWV's instructions, regarding reporting the birth of your child. The UWV will ask for a copy of the birth certificate after the birth if you give birth abroad. Also check carefully whether the health insurance also covers care for you and your baby abroad, or take out a new health insurance in your home country.

You can find extensive information about pregnancy in the Netherlands and during your work at Flexible Human Services in our pregnancy brochure for our employees. You can request this by calling Social Guidance.

More information

Marernity Leave, childcare and work may be regulated very differently in the Netherlands than you are used to. Make sure you are well informed about the Dutch rules regarding pregnancy and work. Do you have questions about pregnancy and work in the Netherlands? Visit the websites below - or, as an employee of Flexible Human Services contact the Social Guidance team.

You can find more information about pregnancy in the Netherlands here:

Website of the National Government – here you will find a useful overview of all the things you need to arrange in the Netherlands if you are pregnant.
Website of the UWV – here you will find information about pregnancy and maternity benefits.

Other websites:
allesoverzwanger.nl
24baby.nl
Mamaenzo.nl
Oudersvannu.nl