Portugal's parliament group backs five to six months of fully paid parental leave

A joint proposal clears the working group

On 13 October 2026, the parliamentary working group on parental leave approved in an indicative vote a joint proposal from the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and the Socialist Party (PS). The text replaces a citizens' legislative initiative that has been before parliament for three years and asked for 180 days at full pay. The PS dropped its own initiative from the vote, and the PSD presented the replacement text. The initial leave would be paid at 100% for 150 days (five months) without sharing, and for 180 days (six months) when the leave is shared between both parents. Under the current rule, full pay covers only the first four months, or 120 days.

Sharing and the longer options

The six-month figure depends on sharing, and the sources describe the condition differently. Observador reports that one parent must take 30 consecutive days of leave, while Correio da Manhã says each parent must take a minimum exclusive period of 30 consecutive days or two periods of 15 days. Both outlets describe a seven-month option of 210 days. Under that option, the benefit falls to 90% of the reference salary if the father takes at least 60 consecutive days, and Observador adds that two separate 30-day periods also qualify. The figures for the longest option are set out below.

Continuous working day and domestic violence

The proposal also extends the continuous working day (jornada contínua), now used in parts of the public sector, to private-sector workers. It covers parents of children under 12, and parents of children with a disability, chronic illness or cancer at any age. According to Correio da Manhã, the worker gives up the lunch break in exchange for leaving earlier, with a pause of no more than 30 minutes, which reduces the working day by one and a half hours.

On domestic violence, SIC reported on 13 October, citing Jornal de Notícias, that women victims would have to leave home during pregnancy or the leave to receive the full benefit. That report also required a criminal complaint and a court measure, such as a no-contact order. A later report by Jornal de Notícias said a PSD amendment changed this, so the aggressor may now leave the family home instead of the victim, according to a source in the working group. The Portuguese Association for Victim Support (APAV) said the rule is the first time the law protects victims of domestic violence in this context, but warned that the proposal as drafted could have a perverse effect.

Disputed details and next steps

Reports differ on how the rival proposals were handled. Some say the other parties abstained, while others say the PSD rejected them with the PS abstaining. Observador reports that Chega asked for the changes to apply to leave already granted when the law takes effect, but that request was rejected. The text must still be ratified in the Labour, Social Security and Inclusion committee, and then passed in a final plenary vote.

Carla Barros, a PSD deputy, praised the "consenso" reached with the socialists after a long period of talks in the working group. Miguel Cabrita, a PS deputy, said the agreement gives the country a significant increase in parental leave while still promoting sharing between parents.