Eighteen of these days can be taken while the mother is at home on maternity leave, according to Finland's social security provider Kela.
The remaining paternity allowance days can be used once the mother returns to work. If fathers wish, they can postpone their full entitlement of 54 days until after their partner re-enters work life.
The changes aim to encourage fathers to take more family leaves. Days for which fathers are paid paternity allowance are no longer deducted from the mother's entitlement.
Seventy-three percent of new dads in Finland take 18 days of paternity leave after the birth of their child. Paternity leave must be used before the child turns two.