Caregiver leave
As an employee, you can temporarily suspend or reduce your work performance, so that you have time to provide informal care to a person in need of care.
Who is eligible for caregiver leave?
Employees and civil servants can take informal care leave. This can be full-time or by reducing working time by one-fifth or by half. Self-employed people, unemployed people and pensioners cannot apply for informal care leave.
How do you apply for caregiver leave?
Submit an application to your health insurance fund to be recognised as a caregiver with social rights. The certificate from the health insurance fund remains valid for one year.
Once we have granted your recognition, you must request your employer’s approval at least 7 days in advance. You should apply for informal care leave in writing, by letter or registered mail, and attach proof of your recognition as an informal caregiver with social benefits.
Apply for the interruption allowance from the National Employment Office (RVA).
Good to know
Are you yourself receiving sickness or maternity allowances from your health insurance fund? If so, you must also request prior permission from the advisory physician of your health insurance fund to do volunteer work.
How long can you take caregiver leave?
- Either 3 months full-time (can be split into periods of 1 month)
- Or 6 months part-time or at 1/5 reduction (can be split into periods of 2 months)
- A combination of reduced working time and full-time interruption
