Last updated: 7 November 2026 | Checked against Citizens Information (maternity leave, edited 23 September 2026; Maternity Benefit, updated 7 October 2026; social welfare rates announced in Budget 2027).
If you are pregnant and working in Ireland, you have the right to take maternity leave. Most of the confusion is about three things: how many weeks you get, who pays you, and which deadlines you must not miss.
This guide covers the leave itself, the Maternity Benefit rate for 2027, the PRSI conditions, notice rules and how to apply. Every rule here comes from official Irish sources, listed at the bottom of the page.
Quick answer
- Leave: 26 weeks of basic maternity leave, plus up to 16 weeks of additional unpaid leave. That is 42 weeks in total.
- Pay: Maternity Benefit covers the basic 26 weeks if you meet the PRSI conditions. The standard rate is €299 a week in 2026 and €309 a week in 2027.
- Your employer: Employers generally do not have to pay you during maternity leave. Your contract may give you a top-up.
- Tell your employer: At least 4 weeks before your leave starts, in writing, with a medical certificate.
- Apply for the benefit: At least 6 weeks before your leave begins (12 weeks if you are self-employed).
Maternity Leave in Ireland: Key Facts
| Item | What the official source says |
|---|---|
| Basic maternity leave | 26 weeks |
| Additional unpaid leave | Up to 16 weeks, so 42 weeks in total |
| Maternity Benefit rate | €299 a week in 2026, €309 a week in 2027 |
| Compulsory leave | At least 2 weeks before and 4 weeks after the birth |
| Notice to your employer | At least 4 weeks, in writing, with a medical certificate |
| Apply for Maternity Benefit | At least 6 weeks before your leave begins |
| Notice before returning | 4 weeks in writing |
How Many Weeks of Maternity Leave Do You Get?
You are entitled to 26 weeks of basic maternity leave. You can then take up to 16 weeks of additional maternity leave. The additional weeks are unpaid, so Maternity Benefit does not cover them.
Premature births have their own rules, and your leave can be extended. If your baby is born more than 4 weeks early, tell your employer in writing within 14 days of the birth.
When Can Maternity Leave Start?
You choose your start date, within limits. Your leave must begin at least 2 weeks before the end of the week your baby is due. After the birth, you must take at least 4 weeks of leave. These compulsory periods apply to everyone.
Maternity Benefit Rate: 2026 and 2027
Maternity Benefit is paid by the Department of Social Protection. The standard weekly rate was announced in Budget 2027 on 6 October 2026 and is shown below.
| Year | Standard weekly rate |
|---|---|
| 2026 | €299 |
| 2027 | €309 (an increase of €10) |
Maternity Benefit is taxable. It is paid weekly in advance into your bank account. It covers the basic 26 weeks only. To see how tax affects pay in Ireland, try our Irish salary calculator.
Do You Qualify for Maternity Benefit?
Eligibility is based on your PRSI record. If you are an employee, you need to meet one of these conditions.
- 39 weeks of PRSI paid in the 12 months before your leave begins.
- 39 weeks of PRSI paid since you first started work, plus 39 weeks paid in the relevant tax year or the one after it.
- 26 weeks of PRSI paid in the relevant tax year, plus 26 weeks paid in the year before it.
If you are self-employed, you need 52 weeks of Class S PRSI contributions and your tax and PRSI must be paid up to date. You must also apply at least 12 weeks before your leave begins.
You need a PPS number to have a PRSI record. If you are new to the country, read our guide to getting a PPS number in Ireland.
How to Apply for Maternity Benefit
- Tell your employer. Give at least 4 weeks’ written notice and a medical certificate from your doctor.
- Get the form completed. If you are an employee, your employer completes form MB2 using your medical certificate. If you are self-employed or not working, you use form MB3.
- Apply to the Department of Social Protection. Apply at least 6 weeks before your leave begins. You can apply online at MyWelfare.ie with a verified MyGovID account, or post form MB1.
- Get paid. Payment is made weekly in advance into your bank account.
Citizens Information can help if you are not sure which form you need. Their phone number is 0818 07 4000.
Will Your Employer Pay You During Maternity Leave?
Employers generally do not have to pay you while you are on maternity leave. Some contracts give a top-up to your normal pay on top of Maternity Benefit. Others include pension contributions during the leave. Check your contract of employment or staff handbook, or ask your HR team before you finalise your dates.
Your Rights During Maternity Leave
- Annual leave: You keep building up annual leave while you are away.
- Public holidays: You are entitled to leave for public holidays that fall during your maternity leave. See our Irish bank holidays guide for the dates.
- Improvements while you are away: If pay or other conditions improve for your colleagues during your leave, you should get the improvements when you return.
- Job protection: You are protected from unfair dismissal because of pregnancy or maternity leave. If you want to make a complaint, you normally have 6 months from the incident to contact the Workplace Relations Commission, and this can be extended by up to 6 months.
- Appointments: You can get paid time off for antenatal and postnatal visits. Postnatal visits are covered for up to 14 weeks after the birth.
- Antenatal classes: You can get paid time off for antenatal classes, apart from the last 3 classes. Fathers and partners can get paid time off for the last 2 classes.
- Breastfeeding: You can take breastfeeding breaks or reduced hours without loss of pay for up to 104 weeks after the birth.
Going Back to Work After Maternity Leave
Give your employer at least 4 weeks’ written notice before you return. You have the right to return to the same job. If that is not possible, your employer must offer you a suitable alternative.
Special Situations
- Premature birth: Your leave can be extended. See the notice rule above if the baby arrives more than 4 weeks early.
- Stillbirth: Full maternity leave is available. A stillbirth is defined as a baby born from 23 weeks of pregnancy or weighing at least 400 grams (rule applies from 16 September 2024).
- Serious illness: You can postpone part of your leave if you are seriously ill. The postponement can be from 5 to 52 weeks (rule applies from 20 November 2024).
- Baby in hospital: If your baby is hospitalised, you can postpone part of your leave for up to 6 months.
What About Your Partner?
Maternity leave is for the birth mother, but partners have their own entitlements. According to Citizens Information, a father or the mother’s partner can take 2 weeks of paternity leave in the first 6 months after the birth. Parents can also take 9 weeks of parent’s leave in the first 2 years of the child’s life. Parental leave gives each parent the right to 26 weeks of unpaid leave to care for a child under 12.
Paternity Benefit and Parent’s Benefit rise from €299 to €309 a week in 2027, the same as Maternity Benefit.
If You Are a Foreign National Working in Ireland
Citizens Information states that foreign nationals working legally in Ireland are entitled to the same range of statutory employment protections as Irish employees. Whether you get Maternity Benefit depends on your PRSI record, so check your contributions early. If you are planning to move to Ireland for work, start with our guide to Irish work visa requirements. You can check the minimum pay for your job in our minimum wage guide.
Maternity Leave Checklist
- Check your PRSI record and which condition you meet.
- Read your contract for any top-up pay or pension rules.
- Choose a start date no later than 2 weeks before the end of the week your baby is due.
- Give your employer 4 weeks’ written notice and a medical certificate.
- Apply for Maternity Benefit at least 6 weeks before your leave begins.
- Decide whether you want the extra 16 weeks of unpaid leave, and give notice for it.
- Give 4 weeks’ written notice before you return.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many weeks of maternity leave do you get in Ireland?
You get 26 weeks of basic maternity leave. You can then take up to 16 weeks of additional unpaid leave, which makes 42 weeks in total.
How much is Maternity Benefit in Ireland in 2027?
The standard weekly rate is €309 in 2027, up from €299 in 2026, according to the rates announced in Budget 2027.
Is maternity leave paid in Ireland?
The basic 26 weeks are paid by Maternity Benefit from the Department of Social Protection if you meet the PRSI conditions. The 16 additional weeks are unpaid. Employers generally do not have to pay, although your contract may give a top-up.
When must I tell my employer I am taking maternity leave?
Give at least 4 weeks' written notice before your leave starts, with a medical certificate. You can give notice for additional leave at the same time.
When should I apply for Maternity Benefit?
Apply at least 6 weeks before your leave begins. Self-employed women should apply at least 12 weeks before.
How many PRSI contributions do I need for Maternity Benefit?
Employees need one of three PRSI records, such as 39 weeks paid in the 12 months before the leave begins. Self-employed women need 52 weeks of Class S contributions.
Can I get maternity leave if I am a foreign national working in Ireland?
Citizens Information says foreign nationals working legally in Ireland are entitled to the same range of statutory employment protections as Irish employees. Maternity Benefit depends on your PRSI record.
Can my employer dismiss me for being on maternity leave?
No. You are protected from unfair dismissal. A complaint to the Workplace Relations Commission normally has to be made within 6 months, and this can be extended by up to 6 months.
Sources
- Citizens Information: Maternity leave
- Citizens Information: Maternity Benefit
- Citizens Information: Social welfare rates announced in Budget 2027
- Citizens Information: Employees’ rights and entitlements
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