Parents in Portugal could soon benefit from longer parental leave paid at 100% of their reference salary, following an agreement between the Socialist Party (PS) and the Social Democratic Party (PSD).
The proposal was approved on 13 October by a parliamentary working group looking at changes to parental leave.
As reported by ECO, the agreement would allow parents to take five months of fully paid leave without having to share it between both parents. Those who choose to share their leave could receive up to six months at 100%.
This would represent an important change for families in Portugal, particularly those who want to spend more time at home with their newborn children but cannot afford a reduction in income.
Shared leave
Under the current system, parents can choose between different periods of leave, but the amount they receive depends on how long they stay at home and whether the leave is shared.
According to the information published on the Portuguese Government's official website, parents who choose 120 days of parental leave receive 100% of their reference salary. Those who choose 150 days without sharing the leave receive 80%.
There are also options for parents who divide their leave between them. For example, 150 days of shared leave can be paid at 100%, while 180 days are generally paid at 83%. This can increase to 90% when the father takes an additional period of leave under the conditions established by law.
Full payment
The new proposal would make it possible to receive full payment for a longer period, even when one parent takes the entire five months.
For families who decide to share their leave, the period could be extended to six months without the reduction in payment that currently applies to longer leave arrangements.
The proposal also reflects efforts to encourage both parents to take a more active role in caring for their children during the first months after birth.
Support system
Parental leave has been discussed in Portugal for some time.
In January 2026, Parliament approved a citizens' initiative in general terms calling for six months of parental leave paid at 100%, regardless of how the time was divided between parents.
The proposal had received support from more than 42,000 citizens, showing considerable public interest in changing the existing system.
However, the latest agreement between the PS and PSD introduces a distinction between parents who share their leave and those who do not.
As reported by Observador, the proposal was approved in full by the working group, while a separate proposal from Chega to extend the new rules to parental leave already granted when the law enters into force was rejected.
Legislative process
Although the agreement is an important step, the new rules are not yet in force.
The text still needs to complete the parliamentary legislative process before families can benefit from the changes.
For now, parents expecting a child should continue to follow the existing Social Security rules when planning their leave.