How much maternity leave do I get in Taiwan?
Taiwan's Labor Standards Act guarantees maternity leave for all female employees, including foreign workers with a valid ARC.
| Employment Duration | Leave Duration | Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Worked 6 months or more | 8 weeks (56 days) | Full salary paid by employer |
| Worked less than 6 months | 8 weeks (56 days) | Half salary paid by employer |
Additional rules:
- Prenatal check-up leave (產檢假): 7 days paid leave for prenatal appointments (full pay, separate from maternity leave)
- Paternity leave (陪產假): The father is entitled to 7 days of paid paternity leave to be taken within 60 days of the birth
- Miscarriage leave: If a miscarriage occurs after 3 months of pregnancy, you are entitled to 4 weeks of leave. Early miscarriages (under 3 months) are entitled to 1–5 days depending on gestational age.
Maternity leave is protected by law — your employer cannot terminate your employment because you are pregnant or on maternity leave. Dismissal during pregnancy or within 30 days after returning from leave is presumed to be unlawful.
Am I eligible for parental leave as a foreigner?
Yes. Foreign employees holding a valid ARC are fully eligible for parental leave under the Act of Gender Equality in Employment (性別平等工作法).
Eligibility requirements:
- Hold a valid ARC (or APRC)
- Have been employed by the same employer for at least 6 months
- Child must be under 3 years old at the time you begin parental leave
Key details:
- Either parent can take parental leave — it is available to both mothers and fathers
- Leave can be taken as a single continuous period or split into two separate periods
- Maximum duration: 2 years per child (until the child turns 3)
- Both parents can take parental leave simultaneously if they work for different employers
Your employer cannot refuse a parental leave application that meets the legal requirements. Your job must be protected — you have the right to return to the same or equivalent position after leave ends.
How much parental leave allowance will I receive?
During parental leave, you can receive a monthly Parental Leave Allowance (育嬰留職停薪津貼) from Labor Insurance — if you are enrolled in Labor Insurance (which all employed foreigners are).
Amount:
- 60% of your monthly insured salary (based on your Labor Insurance grade)
- Paid for up to 6 months per parent
- If both parents take leave, each can claim up to 6 months separately (total up to 12 months per child)
- Maximum cap: approximately NT$36,030/month (based on the highest insured salary grade in 2026)
Example: If your monthly salary is NT$50,000, your insured salary grade is approximately NT$50,600. Your allowance would be NT$50,600 × 60% = NT$30,360/month.
How to apply:
- Notify your employer of parental leave dates (at least 10 days in advance)
- After leave begins, apply for the allowance through your employer's Labor Insurance enrollment
- The allowance is paid directly to your bank account by the Bureau of Labor Insurance
Foreign employees with work permits: Your work permit remains valid during parental leave. You do not need to apply for a separate permit extension solely because you are on parental leave — consult the Ministry of Labor if your work permit is expiring during leave.
What birth registrations do I need as a foreign parent?
The birth registration process in Taiwan involves several steps, especially for foreign parents:
1. Hospital birth certificate
- The hospital will issue a Birth Notification (出生通知書) immediately after birth
- Keep multiple copies — you will need them for all subsequent registrations
2. Household Registration (戶籍登記)
- If the child is eligible for Taiwan citizenship (ROC national), register at the Household Registration Office (戶政事務所) within 60 days of birth
- Bring: birth certificate, ARC/passport of both parents, marriage certificate (if applicable)
- A National ID number will be assigned to the child
3. NHI enrollment for your baby
- Enroll your newborn in NHI as soon as possible after birth
- Go to your local NHI office with the household registration and your NHI card
- NHI coverage for the baby begins from the date of birth (retroactively)
4. ARC for the foreign parent
- Your ARC does not change due to the birth — no action needed unless you are changing visa category
5. Birth registration at your home country's embassy/consulate
- To register your child as a citizen of your home country, contact your country's AIT (Americans), BTO (British), or relevant representative office in Taiwan
Can my baby get Taiwan citizenship?
Taiwan citizenship (Republic of China nationality) follows the jus sanguinis principle — citizenship is passed through blood, not place of birth.
| Parent Situation | Baby's Citizenship |
|---|---|
| One parent is an ROC national | Baby is eligible for ROC citizenship |
| Both parents are foreign nationals | Baby is NOT automatically an ROC citizen |
| Foreign parent married to ROC national | Baby is ROC citizen; foreign parent may apply for household registration |
If both parents are foreign:
- The child does not get ROC citizenship automatically, even if born in Taiwan
- The child should be registered at your home country's representative office in Taiwan
- The child will live in Taiwan under a dependent ARC (居留) linked to the parents' ARC
Note: Children born in Taiwan to foreign parents are not eligible to apply for an ARC independently — they must be registered as dependents on a parent's ARC.
Are foreign parents eligible for childcare subsidies?
Yes, in most cases. Taiwan's childcare subsidy programs are primarily based on the child's registration in the household system and the parent's residency status.
Eligibility overview:
| Subsidy Type | Eligible? |
|---|---|
| Public daycare subsidy (公托補助) | Yes, if child is registered in household (ROC citizen child) |
| Private daycare subsidy (準公共化托育補助) | Yes, same condition |
| Childcare allowance (育兒補助) | Yes, if child has ROC household registration |
| Baby bonus (生育獎勵金) | Varies by county; generally requires household registration |
For families where the child does NOT have ROC citizenship (both parents foreign):
- The child is not in the household registration system
- Most subsidy programs are linked to the household registration, so eligibility may be limited
- Contact your city's Social Affairs Bureau (社會局) to confirm which programs you may qualify for
For families where the child HAS ROC citizenship (one parent is Taiwanese):
- Full eligibility for all childcare subsidies
- Foreign parent's ARC is not a barrier to claiming subsidies for the child
What support is available for foreign mothers?
Taiwan has a growing network of resources for foreign parents, particularly in Taipei and New Taipei:
Government services:
- Taipei City Government has English-speaking social workers in its Social Affairs Bureau; call 02-2725-6978 for assistance
- New Taipei City also has a multilingual hotline: 02-2960-3456
- Maternal and Child Health Handbook (母子健康手冊) is issued free at your local health center after confirming pregnancy — some regions offer English versions
NGOs and community organizations:
- TAOS (Taipei American Overseas School) parent community networks
- Taipei Community Services Center (TCSC) — offers English counseling and connects expats with local resources
- Taiwan English Moms Facebook groups — active community for English-speaking mothers in Taiwan
- YWCA Taiwan — runs programs for working mothers and families in need
Prenatal care:
- Most major hospitals in Taipei (NTU Hospital, Mackay Memorial, Cathay General) have English-speaking OB/GYN departments
- NHI covers all standard prenatal check-ups (7 covered visits during pregnancy)
Postpartum care:
- Taiwan has a strong tradition of 月子中心 (postpartum care centers) — some cater to international clients with English-speaking staff
- NHI covers 3 postpartum home visits by a nurse-midwife