When children suddenly fall ill, schools close, or childcare services are suspended, balancing work and caregiving becomes a daily challenge for many families. Taiwan’s Ministry of Labor has introduced a “flexible parental leave” policy effective January 1, 2026, allowing employees to apply for leave on a daily basis to better meet short-term care needs.
Under the policy, employees can apply for up to 30 days of flexible parental leave per child before the age of three, which is counted within the existing two-year parental leave period. For those raising two or more children, the days can be calculated separately for each child, meaning up to 60 days in total. In dual-income households, both parents can apply individually, further increasing flexibility.
The Ministry noted that previous policies mainly addressed long-term caregiving needs and were less suited for sudden situations such as children falling ill at different times or unexpected school closures. The revised policy clarifies that the 30-day leave can be counted per child, making it easier for parents to manage caregiving responsibilities.
Employers are not allowed to reject such applications or impose unfavorable treatment. In terms of benefits, insured employees can still receive up to six months of allowance per child, unaffected by the flexible leave arrangement.
