TABLE OF CONTENTS
Parental Leave in Spain (Maternity & Paternity)
Spain provides equal parental leave for both parents, supporting work–life balance and ensuring both parents can participate in early childcare while protecting their employment rights.
Payment During Parental Leave
100% of salary (based on the Social Security regulatory base)
Paid directly by Spanish Social Security (INSS)
Applies to both maternity and paternity leave
Duration & Eligibility
Standard Parental Leave
17 weeks per parent
22 weeks for single parents
This leave applies to:
Birth
Adoption
Foster care placement
How Parental Leave Can Be Taken
Mandatory Post-Birth Leave
The first 6 weeks must be taken immediately after birth
This period must be taken continuously
Mandatory for the birth parent
Flexible Leave Period
The remaining 11 weeks can be taken:
In weekly periods
Cumulatively
As one uninterrupted block
➡️ These weeks can be used at any time until the child turns 12 months old.
Pre-Birth Leave
Up to 4 weeks can be taken before the expected due date
This time:
Is paid by Social Security
Is deducted from the total 17 weeks
Additional Childcare Leave (Effective January 1, 2026)
2 additional weeks per parent
4 weeks for single parents
Can be used until the child turns 8 years old
How It Can Be Taken
In weekly periods
Cumulatively
As uninterrupted leave
⚠️ Payment rules will depend on Social Security regulations.
Flexible Working Arrangements (Not Paid by Social Security)
Reduced Working Hours for Childcare
Parents may request reduced working hours until the child turns 12 years old
Salary will be reduced proportionally
Subject to employer approval and operational needs
Lactation / Breastfeeding Leave
(Paid by the Employer)
After returning from maternity or paternity leave, both parents are entitled to lactation leave until the baby is 9 months old.
Key Details
Equivalent to approximately 15 additional paid working days
Counted as working time
Paid by the employer, not Social Security
Available Options
1 hour per workday, or
2 × 30-minute breaks, or
Accumulate hours into full days off (usually 12–15 days)
Notice Requirement
Written notice to the employer is required (typically 15 days in advance)
Compensation Summary
Maternity and paternity leave are fully compensated
Paid by Spanish Social Security (INSS)
Amount equals 100% of the regulatory base salary, calculated from average contributions
Designed to minimize financial impact during parental leave
How to Apply for Parental Leave
1. Required Documentation
Medical Certificate of Maternity Leave Start
(Informe de Baja Médica / Certificado de inicio de descanso por maternidad)
Issued by the public healthcare provider
Confirms:
Expected or actual birth date
Start date of leave
If leave starts before birth (up to 4 weeks), this must be stated
Birth Certificate or Family Book (Libro de Familia)
Issued after birth
Required to finalize the parental leave request
Application for Parental Benefit
(Solicitud de Prestación por Nacimiento y Cuidado del Menor)
Submitted:
Online via Tu Seguridad Social (INSS portal), or
In person at a Social Security office
Declaration of Shared Leave (if applicable)
Required if leave is shared between parents
Used to coordinate how the leave is divided
2. Submit the Leave Request Internally
Once documentation is ready, submit your leave request via the Remote People platform, as outlined in What kinds of leave entitlements do I have?