Spain increases paid parental leave to 19 weeks

Under the new rules approved by the cabinet, each parent is entitled to 17 weeks of non-transferable paid leave during their child's first year, six of which must be taken immediately after birth or adoption.

An additional two weeks can be taken any time before the child turns eight.

Single-parent households - around 80 percent of which are headed by women, according to the government - will be eligible for 32 weeks of paid leave.

The labour ministry said the measure seeks to ensure that employment is "not a barrier when deciding to start a family" and is another step towards men and women sharing parenting duties.

"Spain is moving toward feminism and equality," Labour Minister Yolanda Díaz told a news conference after the cabinet approved the measure, adding that "there will be no turning back".

The reform, which the minority coalition is confident of passing in parliament, brings Spain into compliance with a European Union directive on parental leave.

The government said it plans to go further by increasing paid parental leave to 20 weeks per parent by the end of the current legislative term in 2027.