What are the paid and unpaid leave types in Portugal?

In Portugal, employees are entitled to various forms of paid and unpaid leave that support them during key life events such as childbirth, bereavement, and caregiving.
These leave entitlements are regulated by national labor law, though employers and employees may agree to more favorable arrangements by mutual consent.

Paid Leave

Maternity/Pregnancy Leave

Pregnant employees are entitled to 72 calendar days of maternity leave, structured as follows:

30 calendar days must be taken before the expected date of birth
42 calendar days must be taken after childbirth

This leave is fully paid and mandatory, with the aim of protecting the health and well-being of both mother and child.

Paternity Leave (Second Parent)

Fathers or second parents are entitled to 28 calendar days of mandatory paternity leave, which includes:

7 calendar days to be taken immediately after childbirth
21 calendar days to be used within six weeks of the birth

In addition, there are 7 optional calendar days of “voluntary leave,” which may be taken consecutively or separately.

Shared Parental Leave

Parents may share 150 consecutive days of parental leave, which may be extended by 30 days if both parents use the leave. The leave can be:

Taken exclusively by one parent, or
Split between both parents in two periods of at least 15 consecutive days each

Extended (Supplementary) Parental Leave

Following the initial parental leave, parents are entitled to one of the following:

A 3-month extension of full-time leave, or
A 12-month period of part-time work

This leave must be requested and agreed upon with the employer in advance.

Breastfeeding/Nursing Leave

Until the child reaches one year of age, nursing employees are entitled to:

Two daily breaks, each lasting up to one hour
Alternatively, one two-hour break per day

These breaks are considered working time and are therefore paid. The specific arrangement can be modified by agreement between the employee and employer.

Bereavement Leave

In the event of the death of an immediate family member, the following paid leave entitlements apply:

20 days for the death of a child
5 days for the death of a spouse or partner
2 days for the death of another immediate relative

Marriage Leave

Employees are entitled to 15 consecutive calendar days of justified absence following their marriage. To benefit from this leave, the employee must inform the employer at least 5 days in advance, and the employer may request supporting documentation.

Unpaid Leave

Short-Term Care Leave

Employees may request up to 30 days per year of unpaid leave to care for a family member. This leave is typically used in cases of illness or temporary dependency.

Special Leave for Childcare

Employees may request unpaid leave for childcare purposes for up to 2 years, either continuously or intermittently. This extended leave is available after the conclusion of parental leave and must be coordinated with the employer.

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Portugal