Your barsel, shared fairly
See how many weeks with benefits each parent keeps after sharing, and roughly what you will receive.
- 2026 rules and rates
- Earmarked weeks checked
- Free, nothing stored
Birth parent's weeks with benefits
33 weeks
| Birth parent | Partner | |
|---|---|---|
| Before the birth | 4 | 0 |
| Earmarked after the birth | 11 | 11 |
| Transferable weeks kept | 13 | 8 |
| Received from the other parent | 5 | 0 |
| Weeks with benefits | 33 | 19 |
| Weeks on full salary | 0 | 0 |
| Income over the leave, before tax | 167,805 | 96,615 |
Benefits are capped at DKK 5,085 a week, so salaries above about DKK 22,000 a month lose income in weeks without full pay.
How it's calculated
- Before the birth. The birth parent can take 4 weeks of leave with benefits before the expected birth.
- 24 weeks each after the birth. Each parent has 24 weeks with benefits: 11 are earmarked and can only be used by that parent, and 13 can be transferred to the other parent.
- 52 weeks in total. 4 before the birth and 48 after, as long as both parents use their earmarked weeks.
- The benefit. Barselsdagpenge are capped at DKK 5,085 a week in 2026. Many employers pay full salary for some weeks and get the benefit as a refund.
Figures used
| Figure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Barselsdagpenge, maximum | DKK 5,085 a week (2026) | Vejledning om satser 2026 (VEJ 9118) |
| Weeks after the birth | 24 per parent | Barselsloven |
| Earmarked weeks | 11 per parent | Barselsloven |
| Transferable weeks | 13 per parent | Barselsloven |
| Before the birth | 4 weeks | Barselsloven |
Questions
What happens to earmarked weeks we do not use?
They are lost. The 11 earmarked weeks can only be used by that parent and cannot be transferred.
Are the first two weeks after the birth special?
Yes. The birth parent must take the first 2 weeks after the birth, and the partner usually takes 2 weeks around the birth.
Is it different for single parents?
Yes. Single parents have extra rights to transfer weeks to a close family member. Check the details on borger.dk.
Related
Last checked October 2026. A planning guide for employed parents. Udbetaling Danmark decides your actual barselsdagpenge.