Adoption, fostering, single parents and multiple births

Key rules

• Single parent: You get 26 weeks in total, as the one parent takes the other parent's 10 weeks.
• Multiple births: Each parent gets one extra week for every child after the first.
• Hospitalised newborn: Leave is extended by the days in hospital, after more than 7 days, up to 13 additional weeks.
• Adoption and fostering: You get the same 16 weeks per parent as for birth, if foster care lasts at least one year.

Single parents get the other parent's weeks too

If you are the only parent, you can add the weeks the other parent would have had. That gives you 16 weeks plus 10 weeks, so 26 weeks in total. You must be the sole parent of the child. The same applies if you adopt or foster alone. Ask Social Security how single-parent status is proven in your case.

Twins and other multiple births

Each parent gets one extra week of leave for each child after the first. A twin birth gives each parent 17 weeks, and so on. The same applies to adopting or fostering several children at once. The benefit stays at 100% of the regulatory base (your usual pay base for Social Security).

A newborn in hospital

If your baby is in hospital for more than 7 days straight after birth, your leave is extended by the number of days in hospital, up to 13 additional weeks. The period counts from the first day the child is in hospital. You can also suspend your leave and restart it after discharge.

Adoption and fostering

Adoption, acogimiento preadoptivo and foster care of at least one year give the same leave as birth: 16 weeks per parent, paid at 100% of the regulatory base. Foster care needs a court or administrative decision lasting at least one year.

The child must usually be under 6. A minor aged 6 to 18 qualifies if they have a disability or special circumstances. You must be affiliated to Social Security.

If you adopt from abroad, you can take up to 2 months of unpaid leave before the placement. In some cases that leave can be paid.

Splitting the voluntary weeks

After the compulsory 6 weeks, the other 10 weeks can be taken in weekly blocks until the child turns 12 months old, with at least 15 days' notice to your employer. You can take them continuously or not, full-time or part-time. Part-time must be at least 50% of your working day and needs your employer's agreement. Part-time leave is paid in proportion to the hours you reduce. A collective agreement can change the notice and part-time terms, so check yours. The timeline below shows the order of the steps.

The FAQ below answers common questions on these cases.

Timeline and deadlines

• Take the first 6 weeks full-time: Straight after the birth, adoption or placement

• Tell your employer you will take the other 10 weeks in blocks: At least 15 days before each block starts

• Extend the leave if the newborn is in hospital: When the hospital stay lasts more than 7 days right after birth; the extension is up to 13 additional weeks

Frequently asked questions

How long is the leave for a single parent?

A single parent gets 26 weeks of leave in total, which is the 16 weeks plus the 10 weeks the other parent would have had. You must be the sole parent of the child. The same applies if one person adopts or fosters a child.

How is leave extended if my newborn is in hospital?

If your newborn is in hospital for more than 7 days right after birth, your leave is extended by the number of days in hospital, up to 13 additional weeks. You can also suspend the leave and resume it after discharge.

Does fostering give the same leave as birth?

Yes, adoption, guardianship for adoption (acogimiento preadoptivo) and foster care of at least one year give the same 16 weeks per parent at 100% of the regulatory base. The child must usually be under 6, or aged 6 to 18 with a disability or special circumstances.