Maternity Leave in Ukraine 2026

📅 Duration of Maternity Leave

In Ukraine, "maternity leave" is officially called pregnancy and childbirth leave (Article 179 of the Labor Code of Ukraine, Article 18 of the Law "On Vacations"). This is paid leave granted on the basis of a certificate of incapacity for work (sick leave).

Important: Leave is granted as a lump sum regardless of the actual date of delivery. This means that if delivery occurs before the 70 pre-delivery days are used, the unused days are added to the postpartum period. The total number of days does not decrease.

The certificate of incapacity is issued from week 30 of pregnancy (week 28 for multiple pregnancies). It is prepared by an obstetrician-gynecologist or family doctor.

Legal basis: Article 179 of the Labor Code of Ukraine; Article 25 of the Law of Ukraine "On Mandatory State Social Insurance" No. 1105-XIV.

💰 Maternity Benefit Amounts in 2026

Pregnancy and childbirth benefits are paid at 100% of average salary regardless of insurance record length (Article 26 of Law No. 1105). This is the only type of sick leave in Ukraine where length of service does not affect the payment percentage.

How the Amount Is Calculated

The average salary is calculated based on the last 12 calendar months before the insured event. Months when the employee was not working for valid reasons (illness, downtime, etc.) are excluded from the calculation period.

Formula: Average daily salary x number of leave days = benefit amount.

Calculation example: If your average salary is UAH 25,000/month, the average daily salary = 25,000 x 12 / 365 = ~UAH 821.92. Maternity benefit for 126 days = 821.92 x 126 = ~UAH 103,562 (~USD 2,525). This amount is paid as a lump sum.

Who pays: The employer calculates the benefit, but the funds come from the Social Insurance Fund of Ukraine. Unlike regular sick leave (where the employer pays the first 5 days), the entire maternity benefit is paid by the Fund.

Legal basis: Article 26 of Law No. 1105-XIV "On Mandatory State Social Insurance."

📝 How to Apply for Maternity Leave — Step-by-Step Guide

Applying for maternity leave requires a few simple steps. The key is to obtain the sick leave certificate on time.

Step 1: Obtain the Certificate of Incapacity

At week 30 of pregnancy (or week 28 for multiple pregnancies), visit your obstetrician-gynecologist or family doctor. The doctor will issue an electronic certificate of incapacity (e-sick leave) in the Electronic Registry of Certificates of Incapacity.

Since 2021, paper sick leave certificates are no longer issued — everything is processed electronically. Your employer will see your e-sick leave automatically in the insurer's portal on the Pension Fund website.

Step 2: Submit an Application to Your Employer

Submit an application to your employer requesting pregnancy and childbirth leave. The application should include:

• Request for leave
• Start and end dates (as per the sick leave certificate)
• E-sick leave certificate number

Step 3: Employer Issues an Order

Based on the application and e-sick leave, the employer issues an order granting leave. You must acknowledge the order with your signature.

Step 4: Calculation and Payment

Within 10 business days of receiving the e-sick leave, the employer submits a calculation request to the Social Insurance Fund. The Fund transfers the money to the employer, who then pays you. Payment is made on the nearest payroll date after calculation.

Required Documents

Note: The early registration certificate is not mandatory for maternity benefits but may be needed for other types of assistance.

👶 Childcare Leave Until Age 3

After maternity leave ends, a woman has the right to childcare leave until the child reaches the age of three (Article 179 of the Labor Code, Article 18 of the Law "On Vacations").

Key Conditions

• Duration — until the child turns 3 (or 6, with a medical certificate if the child requires home care)
• Payment — childbirth benefit: UAH 50,000 lump sum + UAH 7,000/month until the child turns 1 (effective 01.01.2026). After age 1, no payments are made; leave is unpaid
• Who can apply — mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, or another family member who actually cares for the child
• Job protection — the position is guaranteed to be held throughout the leave
• Service record — childcare leave up to age 3 counts toward general and professional service records

Working During Childcare Leave

During childcare leave, you are allowed to:

• Work part-time or from home (Article 179 of the Labor Code)
• Work under a civil law contract
• Run a business as a sole proprietor (FOP)

Your right to leave and benefits is preserved while working.

Childbirth Benefits (effective 01.01.2026)

Legal basis: Law of Ukraine "On State Assistance to Families with Children"; Cabinet of Ministers Resolution on benefit amounts effective 01.01.2026.

⚖️ Rights of Pregnant Employees

Ukrainian labor law provides enhanced protection for pregnant employees. Knowing your rights helps prevent violations by employers.

Prohibition of Dismissal

According to Article 184 of the Labor Code of Ukraine, dismissal of pregnant women by the employer is prohibited, except in cases of complete liquidation of the enterprise. In case of liquidation, the employer must find alternative employment for the pregnant employee. This protection also applies to:

• Women with children under age 3
• Single mothers with children under 14 or children with disabilities
• Women on childcare leave

Transfer to Lighter Work

Under Article 178 of the Labor Code, a pregnant woman has the right to be transferred to lighter work while retaining her average salary, if her current work is hazardous or physically demanding. A medical certificate is required.

Other Protections

What to do if your rights are violated: Contact the State Labor Service (Derzhpratsi) — hotline 0-800-501-892 (free), or file a complaint online at dsp.gov.ua. You can also file a lawsuit — the statute of limitations is 3 months from the date of the violation.

Legal basis: Chapter XII of the Labor Code of Ukraine "Women's Labor."

💼 Maternity Leave for Sole Proprietors and Unemployed Women

For Sole Proprietors (FOP)

Sole proprietors are entitled to pregnancy and childbirth benefits if they pay the Unified Social Contribution (USC). The amount depends on the USC payments:

• FOP on the general tax system — benefit is calculated based on income from which USC was paid
• FOP on simplified tax (groups 1-3) — USC is paid on the minimum wage, so the benefit will be minimal (~UAH 33,600 for 126 days)
• Voluntary USC at a higher rate — you can increase the contribution base, but this must be done in advance (at least 12 months prior)

How to Apply as a Sole Proprietor

1. Obtain an e-sick leave certificate from your doctor
2. Submit an application to the Social Insurance Fund office at your place of registration
3. Attach: copy of passport, tax identification number (IPN), bank details
4. The Fund reviews the application within 10 business days and transfers the funds

For Unemployed Women

If a woman is officially registered as unemployed at the Employment Center:

• Pregnancy and childbirth benefits are paid at 100% of the minimum unemployment benefit
• Application is made through the Employment Center at the place of registration

For Non-Working Women (Not Registered as Unemployed)

Women who are not employed and not registered at the Employment Center are not entitled to pregnancy and childbirth benefits. However, they are entitled to:

• Childbirth benefit — UAH 50,000 lump sum + UAH 7,000/month until the child turns 1 (regardless of employment status)
• Baby box or cash equivalent

For military servicewomen — the same Labor Code provisions apply. Maternity leave is arranged on general grounds with payment from the Social Insurance Fund.

Legal basis: Articles 4, 19 of Law No. 1105-XIV; Law of Ukraine "On State Assistance to Families with Children."