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Parental Leave in Spain

Ask a colleague for advice, tell your manager you're having a baby and plan your parental leave in Spain.

In Spain each parent gets their own paid permiso por nacimiento: the first six weeks are taken right after the birth and the rest can be spread over the first year. It's paid by the Seguridad Social and applied for online; parents can also take the permiso de lactancia and later ask for reducción de jornada. These cards follow a soon-to-be father from asking a colleague, through telling his boss, to life with a newborn.

A tender black and white portrait of a father holding his newborn baby by the window, conveying love and bonding.
Photo: ADINE MACENO on Pexels
  1. 1

    Mi mujer está embarazada. ¿Cuándo debería decirlo en el trabajo?

    My wife's pregnant. When should I tell work?

  2. 2

    Tengo una noticia: vamos a tener un bebé.

    I've got some news: we're having a baby.

  3. 3

    ¡Enhorabuena! ¿Para cuándo es?

    Congratulations! When's it due?

  4. 4

    ¿Cuántas semanas de permiso me corresponden?

    How many weeks of leave am I entitled to?

  5. 5

    Las seis primeras semanas son obligatorias justo después del parto.

    The first six weeks are compulsory right after the birth.

  6. 6

    El resto lo puedes repartir durante el primer año.

    You can spread the rest over the first year.

  7. 7

    Lo paga la Seguridad Social, no la empresa.

    Social Security pays it, not the company.

  8. 8

    Se solicita por internet, en la sede electrónica.

    You apply online, on the official website.

  9. 9

    Me gustaría cogerlo en dos bloques.

    I'd like to take it in two blocks.

  10. 10

    ¿Quién me va a cubrir?

    Who's going to cover for me?

  11. 11

    Lo dejo todo organizado antes de irme.

    I'll leave everything organised before I go.

  12. 12

    Cuando vuelva, me gustaría pedir reducción de jornada.

    When I'm back, I'd like to ask for reduced hours.

  13. 13

    Cobrarás proporcionalmente menos.

    You'll earn proportionally less.

  14. 14

    ¿Y el permiso de lactancia?

    And what about nursing leave?

  15. 15

    Lo puedes acumular en días completos.

    You can bundle it into full days off.

  16. 16

    Primero hay que inscribirlo en el Registro Civil.

    First you have to register the baby at the Civil Registry.

  17. 17

    Disfruta mucho de esta etapa con el bebé.

    Enjoy this stage with the baby.

  18. 18

    Se pasa volando.

    It goes by so fast.

  19. 19

    Estamos que no pegamos ojo.

    We're not getting a wink of sleep.

  20. 20

    ¡Mándame una foto del bebé!

    Send me a photo of the baby!