Bolivia (BO)
Bolivia is South America's highest and most landlocked country — a plurinational state of dramatic contrasts, from the world's highest navigable lake (Titicaca at 3,812m) and the vast salt flats of Uyuni to the tropical Amazon basin.
Family Rights & Benefits
Maternity, parental leave and child benefits in Bolivia.
Family law in Bolivia is governed by the Código de las Familias y del Proceso Familiar (Law 603, 2014). Bolivia's 2009 Constitution enshrines the interés superior del niño (best interest of the child) as the primary principle in all family proceedings. Foreigners are subject to Bolivian law for all legal acts performed in Bolivia (marriage, divorce, birth registration, adoption). Maternity protections are among the strongest in the region. Same-sex couples have limited rights — civil union (unión libre) provides some property recognition but is not equivalent to marriage.
Descanso Pre y Post Natal (Maternity Leave)
Before birth: 45 days before expected birth date (pre-natal leave). Starts upon obtaining a medical certificate from CNS confirming pregnancy and expected delivery date. CNS pays 100% of salary from day 1 of pre-natal leave.
After birth: 45 days after birth (post-natal leave). Total: 90 days paid maternity leave. CNS pays 100% of salary throughout both periods. Employer must make up any shortfall to ensure full salary is received.
Job protection: Inamovilidad laboral: pregnant workers cannot be dismissed from the moment pregnancy is confirmed until 1 year after the child's birth. Dismissal during this period requires judicial approval — effectively protecting the position. On return from maternity leave, the employer must reinstate the same job with equivalent terms. Applies to all formal-sector workers enrolled in CNS.
Licencia de Paternidad (Paternity Leave)
Max duration: 3 days paid paternity leave (licencia de paternidad) upon birth or adoption of child. Employer pays 100% of salary during these 3 days. Some collective agreements (convenios colectivos) provide additional days — check your employment contract.
Split rules / Elterngeld: Bolivia has no shared parental leave system equivalent to those in Europe. Fathers are entitled only to 3 days. Mothers retain the full 90-day maternity leave entitlement separately. Extended unpaid leave (licencia sin goce de haber) can be negotiated with employer after maternity leave, but is not legally mandated.
Benefits
Birth Grant
Approximately Bs.1,500 (single payment)
Duration: One-time payment at or shortly after birth
Eligibility: Female workers enrolled in CNS (Caja Nacional de Salud) who give birth to a live child. Must have active CNS status at time of birth.
How to apply: Submit live birth certificate (partida de nacimiento) and hospital birth certificate to nearest CNS office. Employer may assist with processing. Payment typically by bank transfer or at CNS finance office within 30–60 days of submission.
Subsidio de natalidad. Self-employed workers without CNS are not entitled to this cash grant but may access maternity care through SUS.
Funeral Grant
Approximately Bs.1,500 (single payment)
Duration: One-time payment upon death
Eligibility: CNS-insured workers or their registered dependants (spouse, registered children under 19/25 if studying). Death must occur while CNS coverage is active.
How to apply: Surviving family submits death certificate and CNS insured person's card to CNS office. Payable to direct next of kin.
Subsidio de sepelio. Intended to cover funeral costs. Not available for SUS beneficiaries — CNS-enrolled workers only.
Renta Dignidad (Universal Non-Contributory Pension)
Bs.3,000/year (Bs.250/month) with another pension; Bs.3,600/year (Bs.300/month) without any pension
Duration: Ongoing monthly payment from age 60 until death
Eligibility: Bolivian nationals aged 60+ only. Foreign residents are NOT eligible for Renta Dignidad.
How to apply: Bolivian nationals apply at nearest Banco Unión branch with Carnet de Identidad. Payment via Banco Unión branch or Tigo Money quarterly.
Funded from hydrocarbon revenue (IDH tax). Not available to foreign residents regardless of length of stay in Bolivia.
Bono Juancito Pinto (School Attendance Grant)
Bs.200/year per child
Duration: Annual payment while child is enrolled in public primary/secondary school
Eligibility: Children enrolled in Bolivian state schools from Grade 1 to Grade 12. Available to children of legal residents — Carnet de Extranjería required for foreign parents. Child must have 80% school attendance in the year.
How to apply: Registration is done through the school — schools compile lists and submit to the government. Payment made at Banco Unión or via Tigo Money. No separate application needed once child is enrolled.
Conditional cash transfer programme to incentivise school attendance and reduce dropout. Amount is modest but is an established entitlement for all children in public education including children of expat residents.
Bono Juana Azurduy (Maternal and Child Health Grant)
Up to Bs.1,820 total (paid in tranches per prenatal visit and child health check)
Duration: From pregnancy through child's 2nd birthday (series of conditional payments)
Eligibility: Pregnant women (from 4th month of pregnancy) and children under 2 without CNS coverage. Includes legally resident foreign women. Must attend scheduled prenatal check-ups and child health visits at public health centres.
How to apply: Register at nearest public health centre (centro de salud) or SEDES office. Present Carnet de Extranjería and pregnancy documentation. Health worker tracks visits and authorises tranches.
Conditional on attendance at required health check-ups. Designed to reduce maternal and child mortality. CNS-enrolled women are not eligible — this is for women outside the formal insurance system including self-employed and informal workers.
Sick child leave
No specific statutory "sick child leave" provision in Bolivian law. Standard sick leave applies to the worker themselves — not for caring for a sick child. In practice, many employers allow informal unpaid days or use of annual leave for child illness. Collective agreements in some sectors provide for child care leave — check your specific contract. SEDEGES day care centres provide emergency child placement assistance in extreme situations.
Birth registration
Children born in Bolivia must be registered at SERECÍ (Servicio de Registro Cívico) within 15 days of birth. Hospital births: hospital typically assists with SERECÍ notification. Required documents: hospital birth certificate, parents' IDs (passports and Carnet de Extranjería for expats), marriage certificate if parents married. Children born in Bolivia acquire right to Bolivian citizenship regardless of parents' nationality (jus soli principle). Register at expat home country embassy/consulate in parallel to secure the child's home country citizenship.
Childcare rights
Public early childcare (CDIs — Centros de Desarrollo Infantil) operated by SEDEGES are available in cities — places are limited and prioritised for low-income families. Private nurseries and childcare are widely available in La Paz and Santa Cruz. No statutory childcare subsidy exists for employees. Some employers provide childcare allowance as a benefit in collective agreements. International schools (ACS La Paz, SCCS Santa Cruz) offer pre-school from age 3. Domestic helper (empleada de hogar) childcare is common among expat families — minimum wage applies (Bs.2,500/month in 2026) with full social contributions.
Family Rights
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