Paternity Leave in Austria
Employed fathers in Austria can take one month off after the birth (Papamonat), with a separate Familienzeitbonus if the conditions are met.
Last updated: 13 November 2026
Your results will appear here
Fill in your details and press calculate to see your leave dates, notice deadlines and pay estimate.
Austria paternity leave at a glance
Employed fathers in the private sector can take one unpaid Papamonat after the birth, with a separate family-time bonus if its conditions are met.
- Leave length
- 1 calendar month.
- When to take it
- From the day after the birth until the end of the mother's post-birth work ban. Where no ban applies, within 8 weeks (12 weeks for premature, multiple or caesarean births).
- Pay
- Your employer pays no salary. Your health insurer can pay a Familienzeitbonus of €54.87 per calendar day (2026 rate) for 28–31 consecutive days.
- Who qualifies
- Papamonat: employed father living with the child and meeting the notice rules. Bonus: residence, family-allowance and household conditions, usually 182 days of insured work, and a full break from employment.
- Self-employed fathers
- Self-employed fathers can qualify for the Familienzeitbonus, but there is no employee leave right.
Parental leave on top of paternity leave
Separate unpaid parental leave (Elternkarenz) generally lasts until the child is 22 months if one parent takes it, or until age 2 if parents alternate.
Good to know
- Announce the Papamonat 3 months before the expected birth, report the birth immediately, and give the start date within 1 week of the birth.
- Apply for the Familienzeitbonus within 121 days of the birth.
- The calculator uses 30 calendar days as an approximation of one month.
Legal entitlement vs employer benefits
The rules above are the legal minimum in Austria. Many employers offer extra paid days or top up statutory pay. Add any employer leave in the calculator above to see your real return-to-work date, and confirm the details with your HR team. To compare pay over the weeks you take off, try the paternity pay calculator.
Other European guides
Official sources
Frequently asked questions
Editorial note: we summarise official government guidance and link to it. Laws change — always confirm your entitlement with your employer or the relevant authority. This page is not legal advice.