Spain’s Social Security Administration processed 356,112 parental leave benefits for birth and child care during the first nine months of 2025, representing a 1.3% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Of the total, 164,810 were granted to the first parent (usually the mother) and 191,302 to the second parent (typically the father).
The total expenditure on these benefits reached €2.857 billion, up 5.9% from last year’s €2.697 billion. The average processing time stood at 7.7 days, reflecting the efficiency of the system.
Spain’s Social Security processes over 356,000 parental leave benefits between January and September 2025
The regions with the highest number of approved benefits were Andalusia (66,245), Catalonia (63,015), Madrid (59,178) and the Valencian Community (36,033).
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Spain’s Social Security processes over 356,000 parental leave benefits between January and September 2025
Since July 2025, families have benefited from an extended parental leave policy, increasing the standard duration from 16 to 19 weeks, and up to 32 weeks for single-parent families. This reform enhances work-life balance, strengthens shared parental responsibility, and ensures greater social protection for children.
Specifically, 17 weeks of leave—equal and non-transferable between parents—can be taken during the first 12 months after birth or adoption. Families may also take an additional two weeks of leave, or four weeks for single parents, flexibly until the child reaches 8 years old.
The benefit covers 100% of the employee’s contribution base and can be requested online via the “Tu Seguridad Social” portal, which also allows for managing subsequent leave periods.
Regarding career breaks for child or family care, 43,623 applications were processed between January and September, up 1.9% from 2024. Of these, 83.3% were requested by women (36,349) and 16.7% by men (7,274).
The regions with the most applications were Madrid (8,574), Catalonia (6,204), Andalusia (5,064), the Basque Country (4,913) and the Valencian Community (4,632).
Increases were most notable in Ceuta (+22.9%), Extremadura (+14.2%) and Cantabria (+12.7%), while decreases were recorded in Castilla-La Mancha (-8.9%) and Aragón (-5.8%).
Social Security reminds workers that the first three years of parental leave and the first year of family care leave are considered contributory periods for benefits such as retirement, permanent disability, maternity and paternity.