Parental leave in Portugal (2026)

Last reviewed: 7 November 2026

In short: Parents share an initial leave of 120 or 150 days, and the mother must take 42 days after the birth. The father has 28 compulsory days plus 7 days. Social security pays 100% of reference pay for 120 days or 80% for 150 days, and dismissal during parental leave needs prior opinion of the equality authority.

RuleWhat applies
Maternity leaveTaking parental leaveMother and father have the right to an initial parental leave of 120 or 150 consecutive days, which they can share after the birth. The mother must take 42 consecutive days after the birth and may take up to 30 days before. The leave is extended by 30 days if each parent takes an exclusive period of 30 consecutive days (or two of 15) after the mother's compulsory period, and by 30 days for each additional twin. [1]
Paternity leaveTaking parental leaveThe father must take 28 days of paternity leave within 42 days of the birth, in one block or periods of at least 7 days, with 7 days straight after the birth. He also has 7 more days if taken at the same time as the mother's initial parental leave. Two extra days apply for each additional twin. [1]
Parental leaveTaking parental leaveComplementary parental leave for a child up to 6 years old: for each parent, 3 months of extended leave, or part-time work (half the normal hours) for 12 months, or part-time for 3 months, or periods mixing the two. After that parents can take leave to care for a child of up to 2 years in total, and 3 years from the third child. [1]
Pay during leaveTaking parental leaveSocial security pays the initial parental subsidy as a percentage of the reference pay: 100% for the 120-day option. For the 150-day option 80% if the leave is not shared, 100% if the parents share (30 consecutive days or two periods of 15), 83% with 30 extra days for sharing, and 90% with a 60-day shared period and 30 extra days. The father's exclusive periods are always paid at 100%. The daily amount cannot be below EUR 14.32 in 2026. [2]
Job protectionTaking parental leaveDismissal of a pregnant, recently delivered or breastfeeding worker, or of a worker on parental leave, needs the prior opinion of the equality authority. A dismissal for fault is presumed to be without just cause. If the dismissal is found unlawful the employer cannot oppose reinstatement. Absences on parental leave do not remove any rights except pay and count as actual work. [1]

Notes

  • Taken from the consolidated Código do Trabalho published by the Lisbon regional prosecution office, whose latest listed amendment is Lei n.º 32/2025 of 27 March 2025. The Diário da República could not be read.

Sources

  1. Procuradoria-Geral Distrital de Lisboa (consolidated text of Lei n.º 7/2009): Lei n.º 7/2009, de 12 de Fevereiro - Código do Trabalho (versão actualizada) (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
  2. Instituto da Segurança Social, I.P.: Guia Prático - Subsídio Parental Inicial (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources

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