Maternity leave Maternity leave in Spain is 16 weeks leave at full pay. Six of the weeks must be taken after the birth. The other ten can be distributed as the mother wishes. In the case of a multiple birth, this period is extended by two weeks for every additional child. To qualify for maternity leave the woman must have been registered with the social security and have made contributions for at least 180 days within the five years before the child's birth. The woman has the right to take one year of unpaid leave after maternity leave and the company must reserve her position. The woman has the right to reduce her working day by one third to a half until her child is six years old. In this case her salary decreases accordingly.
Paternity leave Paternity leave in Spain used to be just two days. This has recently been increased to 15 days.
Breastfeeding Working mothers who are breastfeeding have the right to a reduction of one hour (or two half hours) each day until the baby is nine months old. This is called the "hora de lactancia". Financial help Spanish Tax Agency Every working woman who has contributed to Social Security receives financial support from the Spanish Tax Agency (Agencia Tributaria) of €100 per month for each child under the age of three. This support is given by way of a reduction of tax payable according to the annual tax declaration, although it can be claimed beforehand, by presenting Form 140. You can download an information leaflet on maternity benefits and Form 140 from the web page of the Spanish Tax Agency (www.agenciatributaria.es), by clicking on “Ciudadanos”- “Familia” –“Deducción por maternidad”, or call number: 901 200 345.
From November 2007, every mother can claim a one-off payment of €2,500 for each child born or adopted after July 3rd, 2007. If you are employed and pay social security payments: If you have claimed the "Deducción por maternidad" by presenting Form 140, your claim to the additional payment of €2,500 will be processed automatically. If you have not claimed the "deducción" you should do so by completing the Form 140. See above for information. If you are not employed: In this case you should present Form 141. This is available on the Spanish Tax Agency website, (www.agenciatributaria.es). Payment will be made in the month following presentation of the claim.
Generalitat The Generalitat gives an annual payment of €625 per child under the age of three. For large families and single-parent families the amount is €730 per child under the age of six. In order to claim the payment you must fill in the relevant form (click here), and take it to one of the following offices; Servicios Centrales del Departamento de Acción Social y Ciudadania, Servicios Territoriales del Departament d'Acció Social i Ciutadania or Oficinas de Acción Ciudadana del Departamento de Governación y Administraciones Públicas. You will also need to take the original and a photocopy of passport or residency card of the people asking for the payment and the Libro de Familia. In the case of separation or divorce, you will need to take original and photocopy of the legal papers where custody of the child/children is established. In the case of single parent families you will also have to take original and proof of a certificate that confirms that you are seeking legal action for the non-payment of child support. See http://www.cat365.net/Inici/Ciutadans/FamiliaINens/AjutsMenors3anys/?I=2 for more information (in Catalan or Spanish).