STA, February 20, 2018 – A baby bonus of EUR 280 at childbirth will again become available to all parents in Slovenia next year and the use of paternal leave will be more flexible under legislation that the National Assembly passed on Tuesday.
The amendments to the parental care and family allowances act in effect abolish yet another measure adopted as part of the omnibus austerity package at the height of the economic crisis in 2012, when means-testing of the baby bonus was introduced.
While the allowance will be available as a universal right as of 2018, as of 2019 it will no longer be available in cash but as a credit to be cashed in for goods for children.
Government data show the allowance was paid to 15,648 families last year. Considering the expected number of births, the amendment will benefit 4,700 more families.
The bill will also enable more simple, transparent and flexible use of 30 days in paternal leave which is reserved for fathers.
Furthermore, it also introduces 30 days of paid leave for adoptive parents who adopt a child who has already finished first year of primary school and is younger than 15.
There is also a provision under which kindergarten enrolment will be promoted.
So far parents whose pre-school children were not in kindergarten were eligible for 20% higher child benefits, but now the 20% bonus will only apply to children under four.
The bill originally included a provision revoking the child benefits of children who are missing school, but the proposal was removed amidst criticism that it would hurt in particular Roma families.
