The Official State Gazette has published Royal Decree-Law 9/2025, of July 29, with the aim of strengthening work-life balance. This legislation amends various labor and social security laws to complete the transposition of European Directive 2019/1158, which focuses on improving the rights of parents and caregivers.
Main changes
One of the most significant changes is the extension of parental leave , which increases from 16 to 19 weeks for each parent, with no possibility of transferring the leave between them. Furthermore, two of these weeks can be taken flexibly until the child turns eight.
In the case of single-parent families , the leave is increased to 32 weeks , four of which can also be used later, until the child turns eight. This right will apply to births or adoptions occurring from August 2, 2024 onwards .
The two additional weeks of paid parental leave can be used in an adaptable way, either in individual days or in part-time sessions, depending on the needs of the families.
This decree represents an advance in Spanish legislation by ensuring that paid employment does not limit the right of working people to care or interfere with the decision to have children, promoting a more egalitarian society in the distribution of family responsibilities.
Adaptation to European regulations
With this new measure, Spain fully complies with the requirements of Directive (EU) 2019/1158, particularly regarding paid parental leave. Even so, the government has committed to increasing this leave to 20 weeks during the current legislative term.
With this extension to 19 weeks, Spain is above the recommendations of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and aligns itself with European countries that offer longer and more flexible maternity leave.
Guaranteed financial coverage
Social Security will cover the cost of the new leave period, guaranteeing 100% salary replacement for both parents, thus facilitating a more equitable sharing of caregiving responsibilities. The high participation rate of men in using this leave in Spain, compared to other countries, demonstrates the positive impact of this measure.
Application in the public sector
In the public, paid leave for birth, adoption, guardianship, or foster care is also extended to 19 weeks: 17 weeks for birth or care and 2 weeks for parental leave. In addition, new regulations are introduced for unpaid parental leave, which will last eight weeks.
An additional two-week extension is also contemplated in cases of multiple births or adoptions, or when the child has a disability, shared between both parents.
Protection of single-parent families
The text pays special attention to single-parent families, extending the leave period for birth, adoption, guardianship, or foster care to 32 weeks, in order to guarantee equivalent protection for all children, regardless of family structure. Of these, four weeks can be taken flexibly until the child turns eight.
This set of measures reinforces the Government's commitment to equality, child protection and work-life balance, adapting Spanish legislation to the current needs of families.
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A Àmbit Assessor, SL has 40 years dedicated to the tax, comptable and labor consultancy of the Pime.
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