Maternity Leave
Maternity leave — formally the birth and parenthood period — is one of the most important entitlements for working parents. But a great deal of confusion surrounds it: how many weeks are due? How many of them are paid? What are the father's rights? And can it be extended? This guide sets it out clearly.
Disclosure: Educational information only. This is not advice. Rules are updated — verify with Bituach Leumi and employment law. Any action you take is your own responsibility.
How long maternity leave lasts
The length depends on seniority at the workplace:
An employee with at least one year of seniority with the same employer is entitled to 26 weeks of leave.
An employee with less than a year of seniority is entitled to 15 weeks.
It is essential to distinguish between the duration of the leave, meaning the protected period of absence, and the payment: only part of the leave is paid.
How much of the leave is paid
Of the 26 weeks, the first 15 weeks are paid, through maternity allowance from Bituach Leumi, subject to the qualifying conditions. See the maternity allowance guide.
The remainder of the period, up to 26 weeks, is unpaid but still protected, meaning your job is held for you.
The father's entitlement
Maternity leave does not belong to the mother alone. A partner may:
Replace the mother for part of the leave, from the seventh week, and receive maternity allowance for it.
Take a short period of leave alongside the mother, close to the birth.
This is an entitlement many families never use, which is a shame, because it allows a fairer division of parenting in the first period.
Possible extensions
In certain circumstances the leave can be extended:
Twins or more — an addition of around three weeks for each additional child.
Hospitalisation of the mother or baby — an addition of up to around four weeks.
Disability — an addition of up to around five weeks, from 1 April 2026.
Unpaid extension — under conditions, the unpaid period can be extended.
The exact details are updated — verify with Bituach Leumi.
Protection from dismissal
This is a critical entitlement: an employee may not be dismissed during maternity leave, nor for 60 days after returning from it, except with special authorisation. The protection exists to allow a safe return to work without fear.
Returning to work
On returning, the employee is entitled to resume her role or an equivalent one, and thereafter to associated rights such as the parenting hour (nursing hour), under conditions.
If the leave included an unpaid period, you may be entitled to a tax refund at the end of the year, because annual income was lower than usual.
Common mistakes
1. Confusing the duration with the payment — 26 weeks of leave, but only 15 paid.
2. Not using the father's entitlement.
3. Not checking eligibility for an extension for twins or hospitalisation.
4. Forgetting the tax refund for a year including an unpaid period.
Summary
Maternity leave is a broad entitlement — 26 weeks of protection, of which 15 are paid — and it includes rights for the father and options for extension. Understand the entitlements in advance, share the parenting, and remember to check for a tax refund.
See the full picture in the parental rights guide, and in particular maternity allowance and the birth grant. We provide the knowledge — the claiming is in your hands.