Philippines Maternity Leave: Complete 2026 Guide (105 Days)
The Philippines' 105-days-every-pregnancy maternity entitlement explained in full — solo-parent leave, SSS funding and the salary differential.
The Philippines' Expanded Maternity Leave Law (Republic Act No. 11210, 2019) is one of the more generous and evenly applied maternity entitlements in Asia — 105 days of paid leave for every pregnancy, with no reduction for later children. This guide matches the Philippines Maternity Leave Calculator.
105 days, every time
Every covered female worker — private sector, public sector, informal-economy and voluntary SSS members alike — gets 105 days of paid leave for every instance of pregnancy, miscarriage, or emergency termination of pregnancy. Unlike India's law, there is no reduction after a certain number of children — the implementing rules grant it "regardless of frequency."
Solo parents get more
If you are a qualified solo parent under the separate Solo Parents' Welfare Act (RA 8972), you get an extra 15 days paid — 120 days total.
An optional unpaid extension
You can also take a further 30 days unpaid if you want more time, at your option. At least 60 days of your leave must be taken after delivery (compulsory postnatal rest).
Who pays, and how
The leave is SSS-funded, calculated on your average daily salary credit. Your employer advances the full payment and is then reimbursed by SSS. Separately, your employer must pay you the "salary differential" — the gap between your normal full salary and what SSS pays — unless the employer qualifies for an exemption as a distressed business, a small retail/service business with 10 or fewer workers, or a micro-enterprise.
Eligibility
You need at least 3 monthly SSS contributions in the 12-month period immediately before the semester of your childbirth (or miscarriage / emergency termination of pregnancy).
Worked example
| Scenario (PHP 25,000/month, daily ≈ 833) | Days | Approx. total |
|---|---|---|
| Regular entitlement | 105 | ≈ PHP 87,500 |
| Qualified solo parent | 120 | ≈ PHP 100,000 |
Try your figures on the calculator and read the maternity-leave guide.
For the statutes, see RA 11210 (lawphil) and the Solo Parents' Welfare Act RA 8972 (lawphil).
What RA 11210 changed
Before the Expanded Maternity Leave Law took effect, Philippine maternity leave was shorter — 60 days for a normal delivery and 78 for a caesarean, and limited to the first four deliveries. RA 11210 replaced that with a flat 105 days for every pregnancy, regardless of delivery method or the number of children, and added the solo-parent and leave-allocation features. It is one of the most significant expansions of a maternity benefit in the region and put the Philippines among the more generous jurisdictions for paid maternity leave.
The father / caregiver allocation
A distinctive feature of RA 11210 is that a qualified mother may allocate up to 7 days of her paid leave to the child's father — married or not — or, in his absence or default, to an alternate caregiver such as a relative or the mother's current partner. This is on top of any paternity leave the father may separately be entitled to. It reflects the law's intent to support shared caregiving in the crucial period after birth.
Coverage across every kind of worker
The law is unusually broad in who it covers: private-sector employees, public-sector workers, informal-economy workers, and voluntary or self-employed SSS members all qualify, provided the SSS-contribution condition is met. This wide coverage — combined with the "every pregnancy" rule — is what makes RA 11210 stand out. The mechanics (SSS benefit plus employer salary differential) differ by employment type, but the 105-day core is common to all.
Estimating your pay and checking eligibility
The paid amount is based on your average daily salary credit, split between SSS and the employer salary differential. Estimate it on the Maternity Leave Calculator, and confirm you meet the three-SSS-contributions condition in the 12 months before the semester of childbirth. For the wider set of Philippine benefits — separation pay, SIL, probation and notice — see the Philippines hub.
Key takeaways
- 105 days of paid leave for every pregnancy — no reduction by child count.
- +15 paid days for qualified solo parents (120 total); +30 optional unpaid days; at least 60 days must follow delivery.
- SSS-funded on your average daily salary credit; the employer advances it and pays the salary differential.
- Eligibility: at least 3 monthly SSS contributions in the 12 months before the semester of childbirth.
- A mother may allocate up to 7 days of paid leave to the father or an alternate caregiver.
Frequently asked questions
How many days of paid maternity leave in the Philippines?
105 days for every pregnancy under the Expanded Maternity Leave Law (RA 11210), rising to 120 days if you are a qualified solo parent under RA 8972. An additional 30 days may be taken unpaid if you choose.
Is there a limit on how many children this applies to?
No. Unlike some countries, RA 11210 grants the full 105 days for every single pregnancy, with no reduction after a certain number of children.
Who pays for maternity leave in the Philippines?
The Social Security System (SSS), based on your average daily salary credit. Your employer advances the payment and is reimbursed by SSS, and must separately pay the 'salary differential' between your full salary and the SSS benefit — unless exempt as a small or distressed business.
What is the eligibility for Philippine maternity leave?
At least 3 monthly SSS contributions in the 12-month period immediately before the semester of your childbirth, miscarriage, or emergency termination of pregnancy.
How much of the leave must be taken after delivery?
At least 60 days of the leave must be taken after delivery as compulsory postnatal rest.