How long is parental leave in Portugal?

Parents in Portugal who have been employed and made contributions to the social security system for at least 6 months have the following childcare leave options for a child younger than 7 years old:

• 3 months of paid parental leave.
• A half-time work schedule for 12 months.
• A combination of leave and a reduced schedule that results in a total period of 3 months of leave.

How long is maternity leave in Portugal?

In Portugal, maternity leave includes:

• Up to 30 days of voluntary leave that mothers may take before the birth.
• 42 days (6 weeks) of compulsory leave after the birth.

These periods are part of the initial parental leave, which totals up to 120 or 150 days.

What are the eligibility rules for maternity leave in Portugal?

Employees in Portugal must meet the following eligibility rules for paid maternity leave:

• The employee must have been employed for at least 6 months.
• The employee must have made contributions to the social security system for at least 6 months.

How is maternity leave payment calculated in Portugal?

Maternity leave in Portugal is covered by social security. Payment for maternity leave is calculated based on the duration and whether the leave is shared between parents.

• Parents who take 120 days of leave receive compensation at 100% of their normal salary, regardless of whether the leave is shared.
• Parents who take 150 days of leave receive compensation at 100% if the leave is shared, or 80% if it is not shared.

What is the process for applying for maternity leave in Portugal?

In Portugal, both parents are entitled to parental leave following the birth or adoption of a child. This entitlement is covered under social security and compensates for the salary lost during the period when the parents are not working.

To apply for maternity leave, the process involves:

• Submitting an application through Segurança Social Direta, which can be accessed at www.seg-social.pt.
• Alternatively, completing the form Mod.RP5049-DGSS, along with the required documents specified in the form, can be submitted at either a Social Security office or a citizen's shop.

If the subsidy application is submitted online through Segurança Social Direta, the proof documents must be correctly scanned and sent via the same platform.

The claim for parental leave must be submitted within a period of 6 months from the first day of not working. Late submissions will result in a reduction of the period for which the concession is granted.

How long is the paternity leave in Portugal?

In Portugal, fathers are entitled to 28 days of paternity leave. This leave can be taken either consecutively or non-consecutively. At least 7 of these days must be taken immediately after the birth of the baby and must be consecutive. The remaining 21 days should be taken within 6 weeks (42 days) following the birth. Additionally, fathers may opt for 7 more working days of voluntary paternity leave, which can also be taken consecutively or non-consecutively, and may coincide with the mother’s leave.