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Publication of Royal Decree-Law 9/2025 on Work-Life Balance
On 30 July 2025, Royal Decree-Law 9/2025 of 29 July was published in the Official State Gazette (BOE), extending the paid parental leave entitlement for the birth and care of a child.
This Royal Decree-Law amends the consolidated text of the Workers’ Statute Act, approved by Royal Legislative Decree 2/2015 of 23 October; the consolidated text of the Basic Statute for Public Employees, approved by Royal Legislative Decree 5/2015 of 30 October; and the consolidated text of the General Social Security Act, approved by Royal Legislative Decree 8/2015 of 30 October.
These amendments complete the implementation of Directive (EU) 2019/1158 of the European Parliament and Council, aimed at improving work-life balance for parents and carers.
The directive, which replaces Council Directive 2010/18/EU, establishes minimum standards for paid parental leave and other family-related rights across EU member states.
Extension of paid parental leave for the birth and care of a child
This Royal Decree-Law extends paid parental leave by three weeks, bringing the total duration of leave for the birth and care of a child to nineteen weeks.
Each parent may take these additional three weeks in two separate periods:
- One week can be taken before the child turns twelve months old.
- The remaining two weeks can be taken at any time before the child turns eight years old.
Now, the duration of parental leave in Spain for both mothers and fathers is nineteen weeks, with flexible periods that can be adapted to meet family needs.
This extended parental leave allows parents to better manage work and childcare responsibilities over time.
Amendment of Article 48 of the Workers’ Statute
Royal Decree-Law 9/2025 of 29 July updates sections 4 and 5 of Article 48 of the Workers’ Statute.
These sections define the terms under which each parent can suspend their employment contract to take parental leave in Spain:
- Six weeks immediately following childbirth.
- Eleven weeks, or twenty-two in the case of single parenthood, to be taken at the worker’s discretion, either consecutively or in separate periods, from the end of the initial six-week leave and up until the child turns twelve months old.
- Two weeks, or four in the case of single parenthood, for the care of the child, also to be taken at the worker’s discretion in weekly blocks, either consecutively or separately, until the child turns eight years old.
Financial benefits during parental leave in Spain
These new leave entitlements and contract suspensions come with a financial benefit paid by Social Security.
The legislation thus strengthens equitable access for paid parental leave to new parents and work-life balance.
Transitional provision to the extended parental leave
The additional two weeks (or four weeks in the case of single parenthood) granted for the care of a child under eight years old will apply to qualifying events occurring from 2 August 2024 onwards.
These weeks of paid parental leave, whether taken as a suspension of the employment contract or as part of new-born leave, including new-born leave for fathers, can be requested starting from 1 January 2026.
The corresponding financial benefit will also be available from that date.
Need help with your parental leave application?
If you need assistance in applying for this new form of parental leave in Spain, including eligibility for extended parental leave or how to access paid parental leave to new parents, please contact our team via the web form or explore our law services.
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