Zwangerschaps- en bevallingsuitkering (WAZO)
Pregnancy and maternity benefit
UWV pays 100% of your daily wage for at least 16 weeks of pregnancy and maternity leave — capped at the WIA-maximumdagloon.
Start application →The Zwangerschaps- en bevallingsuitkering (WAZO) is the Dutch pregnancy and maternity benefit, paid by UWV. It covers the statutory 16 weeks of leave around childbirth, with the option to start 4 to 6 weeks before the expected birth date and run at least 10 weeks afterwards. The benefit pays 100% of the SV daily wage, capped at the maximum daily wage (€304.25 in 2026). Employees apply via the employer's UWV werkgeversportaal; self-employed mothers (ZZP) apply directly via MijnUWV. Multiple pregnancies (twins or more) get extended leave, and pregnancy-related illness during the protected period is covered separately under the Ziektewet.
Eligibility
You may qualify for the WAZO benefit if:
- You are pregnant and insured under Dutch employee or self-employed social insurance
- You are an employee, agency worker, voluntarily insured ZZP, or self-employed under the ZEZ scheme
- Your doctor or midwife has issued a certificate confirming the expected birth date
- Your employer (or you, if self-employed) files the application within UWV's deadlines
- You take leave for the full statutory period (at least 10 weeks must fall after the birth)