Kazakhstan (KZ)
Kazakhstan is the world's ninth-largest country by area and the largest landlocked nation — a vast Central Asian republic stretching from the Caspian Sea to the Altai Mountains, encompassing endless steppes, dramatic canyons, and the remnants of the ancient Silk Road.
Family Rights & Benefits
Maternity, parental leave and child benefits in Kazakhstan.
Family benefits and leave in Kazakhstan are governed by the Labour Code and the Law on State Benefits (Закон о государственных пособиях). Employed workers who contribute to the МТСБ Social Insurance Fund are entitled to maternity leave, childcare leave, and associated benefits. Foreign nationals on work permits with valid IIN and МТСБ contributions are entitled to the same benefits as Kazakhstani employees.
Maternity Leave (Декретный отпуск)
Before birth: 70 calendar days before the expected birth date (84 days for multiple or complicated pregnancies). Paid at 100% of average salary, funded by the МТСБ Social Insurance Fund. Submit a medical certificate from your obstetrician to HR at least 2 weeks before the leave starts.
After birth: 56 calendar days after birth (70 days for complications or multiple births). Paid at 100% of average salary by МТСБ. Total standard maternity leave: 126 calendar days (70+56). Extended childcare leave until age 1.5 is available (partially paid), and until age 3 (unpaid but with job protection).
Job protection: Job protection throughout maternity leave — employers cannot terminate employment during pregnancy or maternity leave. The position must be held and the employee reinstated at the same job (or equivalent) after leave ends. Forced resignation during maternity leave is illegal under the Labour Code.
Childcare Leave (Отпуск по уходу за ребёнком)
Max duration: Until the child reaches age 3. The first 18 months (until age 1.5) are partially paid via МТСБ benefits. Months 19–36 (age 1.5–3) are unpaid but job-protected.
Split rules / Elterngeld: Either parent can take childcare leave — it does not have to be the mother. The parent not on maternity leave can take childcare leave from the end of the maternity period. Grandparents who are the actual carers may also be eligible to claim childcare leave under certain conditions. Inform HR which parent is taking the leave.
Benefits
One-Time Birth Benefit
75 MCI per child = ₸291,975 (2026)
Duration: One-time payment at birth
Eligibility: Employed mothers (and self-employed ИП) who have contributed to МТСБ. Foreign nationals with valid work permits contributing to МТСБ are eligible.
How to apply: Submit to employer's HR: birth certificate, application form, bank account details. Employer submits to МТСБ on your behalf. Payment within 10 working days.
Monthly Childcare Benefit (Age 0–1.5)
40% of average monthly salary; min ₸24,459; max ₸77,860/month (2026)
Duration: Monthly until child reaches 18 months (1.5 years)
Eligibility: Parent on childcare leave who contributed to МТСБ. Both employed and ИП (self-employed) parents qualify. Foreign nationals with valid contributions are eligible.
How to apply: Apply at your employer's HR department with: childcare leave start date, birth certificate, bank account. HR submits to МТСБ. Payment monthly to your bank account.
Child Allowance for Low-Income Families
Varies by family income and number of children — from 1.74 MCI/month per child (2026)
Duration: Monthly until child age 18
Eligibility: Kazakhstani citizens and permanent residents with per-capita family income below the subsistence minimum. Foreign nationals on temporary residence permits are generally not eligible.
How to apply: Apply at the Department of Social Protection (Управление социальной защиты населения) of your district with: IIN, income documents, family composition documents.
Means-tested — household income assessment required. Subject to annual review.
Paternity Leave
3 calendar days paid leave at full salary
Duration: 3 calendar days immediately after birth
Eligibility: Employed fathers. Paid by the employer (not МТСБ).
How to apply: Notify HR with birth certificate. Taken within 30 days of birth.
Sick child leave
A parent can take paid sick leave (листок нетрудоспособности) to care for a sick child under 14. Duration: up to 10 calendar days per illness. Requires a medical certificate (sick note) for the child from a licensed doctor. Paid at the same rate as personal sick leave: employer pays days 1–3 at full salary; МТСБ pays from day 4 if the illness extends beyond 3 days.
Birth registration
Children born in Kazakhstan must be registered at the Civil Registration Office (ЗАГС) within 1 month of birth. For foreign parents: bring both passports, marriage certificate (if applicable), and the birth hospital certificate (справка из роддома). The child receives a Kazakhstani birth certificate (свидетельство о рождении / туу туралы куәлік). The child's nationality follows parents' citizenship — a child born to foreign parents is not automatically a Kazakhstani citizen (no jus soli). Apply to your home country's embassy for the child's passport and citizenship documentation.
Childcare rights
State kindergartens (детский сад / бала бақша) in Kazakhstan are subsidised and heavily oversubscribed — waiting lists of 6–18 months in Almaty and Astana are common. Register on the electronic queue at egov.kz as early as possible (you can register during pregnancy). Private kindergartens are more readily available at ₸40,000–150,000/month. International school kindergarten programmes start from age 3 at AIS, QSI, and other international schools.
Family Rights
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