Jordan (JO)
Jordan is a stable, welcoming Hashemite Kingdom at the crossroads of the Middle East — home to Petra, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the legendary Wadi Rum desert, and the mineral-rich Dead Sea.
Family Rights & Benefits
Maternity, parental leave and child benefits in Jordan.
Family law in Jordan is governed by Islamic Sharia for Muslim families (Personal Status Law No. 36 of 2010 and amendments) and by separate denominational laws for Christian communities. For expats, family matters can intersect two legal systems — your home country's laws and Jordanian law. Marriage, divorce, child custody, and inheritance for expats should ideally be handled with legal counsel in both Jordan and your home country.
Maternity Leave (Ijazat al-Umuma)
Before birth: Leave may be taken starting from any time before birth as part of the total 70-day entitlement (private sector).
After birth: 70 days paid maternity leave in the private sector (90 days in the public sector). SSC pays 100% of salary if enrolled and qualifying period met.
Job protection: The employer cannot dismiss an employee during maternity leave. Return to the same position is guaranteed by Jordanian Labour Law.
Parental Leave
Max duration: 3 days paid paternity leave for private-sector male employees. No formal shared parental leave scheme in Jordan as of 2026.
Split rules / Elterngeld: No shared parental leave system. Maternity leave is for the mother only; paternity leave is 3 days for the father.
Benefits
SSC Maternity Benefit (Social Security Corporation)
100% of the insured employee's daily wage for the 70-day maternity leave period
Duration: 70 days (private sector)
Eligibility: All female private-sector employees registered with the SSC, regardless of nationality. The SSC (not the employer) pays the benefit directly. Qualifying contribution period required — confirm with SSC before pregnancy.
How to apply: Notify your employer of pregnancy. Employer notifies SSC and processes the leave. The SSC pays the maternity benefit to the employee (or through the employer for reimbursement). Contact SSC (ssc.gov.jo) for current application requirements.
This is funded through the employer's 14.25% SSC contribution (0.75% of which goes to maternity insurance). The employer incurs no direct salary cost during the leave — SSC covers it. Expat employees must be SSC-registered from day one of employment.
No Universal Child Benefit
Not applicable — Jordan does not operate a universal child benefit scheme
Duration: Not applicable
Eligibility: Jordan does not have a universal child benefit equivalent to European child benefit schemes. The National Aid Fund (NAF) provides means-tested family assistance for Jordanian nationals in financial hardship — generally not accessible to expats.
How to apply: Not applicable for expats — no qualifying universal entitlement.
UN agencies, international NGOs, and large multinationals typically include children's education allowances in expat compensation packages. Private international schools in Amman (Amman Baccalaureate School, International Community School, King's Academy) charge JOD 3,000–8,000+/year.
Employer Family Package (expatriate)
Varies by employer; key items: school fees, housing allowance, vehicle, private health insurance, repatriation flights
Duration: Contract duration
Eligibility: Negotiated in employment contract before arrival — not a statutory entitlement
How to apply: Negotiate with HR before signing contract; specify school, housing, and insurance provisions in writing
Many expats in Jordan work for UN agencies, international NGOs, or multinationals. These employers typically provide comprehensive family packages. For Jordan-based private-sector roles, negotiate school and housing allowances explicitly.
Sick child leave
There is no statutory sick child leave in Jordanian Labour Law. Employees use their personal sick leave entitlement (2 weeks per year with medical certificate) if they need to care for a sick child.
Birth registration
Births must be registered with the Civil Status Department within 30 days. Required: hospital birth certificate, parents' passports, parents' Iqama, marriage certificate (authenticated). The child will receive a Jordanian birth certificate. Register the birth also with your home country's embassy for citizenship documentation.
Childcare rights
Under Jordanian Personal Status Law, custody (Hadana) of young children is typically awarded to the mother until boys reach 9 years and girls reach 11 years, after which custody reverts to the father (unless the court finds otherwise in the child's interest). Non-Jordanian expats' custody disputes may also be governed by their home country's laws — seek legal advice on both jurisdictions.
Family Rights
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