By 2021, the length of adoption leave could increase from ten to sixteen weeks, according to an amendment to the Social Security funding bill.
Previously, in an adoption, adoptive parents were only entitled to ten weeks of leave. A period deemed too short by the executive, which tabled an amendment to extend it to 16 weeks. "This amendment aims to extend the adoption leave for adoptive families who have no children or a dependent child and thus increase it from ten weeks, a period currently considered insufficient, to sixteen weeks", is it indicated in the amendment tabled on October 16.
“Adopting a child also requires taking the time to welcome it in the best conditions”
This adoption leave varies according to the number of adopted children and the number of children dependent on the parents. It will be 10 weeks "if the employee adopts a child and, if, following this adoption, has 1 or 2 dependent children. " It can be up to 18 weeks, if the parent has at least 3 dependent children.
In addition, if taken by both parents, the duration will be halved and 11 more days will be added to this shared leave. This extension to 16 weeks represents a cost of “Approximately three million euros” that the government justifies : “Adopting a child also requires taking the time to welcome it in the best conditions”, is it indicated in the amendment.
This amendment concerns nearly 1,600 adoptions per year.