The Spanish government has approved an extension of parental leave, a measure that directly impacts both employees and families.
From now on, each parent will be entitled to 19 weeks of paid leave, instead of the current 16. One of those weeks must be taken during the child’s first year of life, while the other two can be used at any time until the child turns eight.
For single-parent families, a special arrangement has been introduced allowing up to 32 weeks of leave, with the flexibility to distribute them as needed.
This new regulation applies retroactively from August 2, 2024, and guarantees 100% salary coverage during the additional weeks.
Key points
- Working parents now have more paid time off to care for their children in the early years.
- Single-parent families are granted extended leave to better reflect their circumstances.
- Companies will need to adapt internal policies and processes to comply with the new rules.
This reform aligns with EU requirements on work-life balance and represents a significant shift in both workplace and family planning.
At addwill, we can help you review your individual case and clarify how this regulation applies to you.
We provide legal and employment law advice to both companies and individuals on all aspects of this reform.
For more information, contact our employment law team at +34 93 487 52 00, at comunicacio@addwill.eu, or through our online form.