Thousands of women who had lost their maternity benefit due to insufficient contributions in a single fund now have a second chance. The new legislative regulation allows the aggregation of insurance time from different funds, opening the way for benefit payments and significant back payments that can reach or exceed €5,000. Mothers who were previously rejected can resubmit applications and claim the money they are entitled to.
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Maternity benefit: The new regulation that changes everything
The recent legislative intervention brings radical change to the calculation method for maternity benefit requirements. Insurance time from multiple funds is now counted together to establish eligibility. This means women who worked in different sectors, such as private and public sectors, or combined employment with self-employment, can aggregate their contributions. The change targets mothers who were rejected because they hadn’t completed 200 contributions in a single insurance organization, despite having completed them in total. Successive insurance is now recognized as a valid basis for acquiring the right, providing solutions for thousands of cases that remained pending.
Which mothers can claim back payments
The right to review and retroactive payment of the benefit concerns specific categories of women. First, those who received a rejection from January 1, 2025 onwards. Second, those who hadn’t completed the required 200 contributions in one fund but complete them through aggregation from different funds. A basic requirement is submitting or resubmitting an application within six months from the legislative regulation’s publication. Applications that are approved will lead to payments calculated retroactively from the original submission date, ensuring beneficiaries receive the full amount they are entitled to.
Back payment calculation by salary level
The amount of back payments mothers will receive depends directly on their gross earnings level. The maternity benefit covers a four-month period, specifically 119 days, and is calculated based on monthly salary. For the minimum wage of €830, back payments amount to approximately €3,300. Those earning €900 monthly can claim around €3,600. The average salary of €1,000 corresponds to a benefit of approximately €4,000, while for earnings of €1,200 the amount reaches €4,800. Mothers with higher earnings, from €1,300 and above, are entitled to back payments exceeding €5,000.
In most cases, amounts range between €3,000 and €4,500, providing significant financial support for families.
Application submission process
Application submission for the benefit is conducted exclusively electronically through the e-EFKA digital platform. Interested mothers have up to eight months after childbirth to complete the process. For women who received rejections, resubmission must be done within six months from the new regulation’s effective date. Meeting the deadline is crucial, as delays can lead to permanent loss of the right to back payments, even when all other requirements are met. Attaching the required supporting documents is essential for application completion.
Key points you need to know
The new regulation for maternity benefits radically changes the situation for thousands of women. Counting contributions from different insurance funds creates new opportunities for those who were rejected. Back payments that eligible mothers can receive reach up to €5,000, depending on their earnings level. A crucial element is the timely resubmission of applications within the six-month deadline. Payments are calculated from the original date when the first application was submitted, ensuring the full amount of back payments. The digital process through e-EFKA facilitates submission and speeds up application review.
