Spain introduces paid sick leave for menopause symptoms starting 2026

The Spanish government approved a reform to provide paid medical leave for women suffering from incapacitating health problems linked to menopause.

This new labor right will take effect on 1 December 2026. Workers in Spain will be able to request this specific medical leave if a doctor diagnoses a secondary menopausal disorder that temporarily prevents them from performing their jobs. The government aims to address workplace health issues that have historically received little attention.

This measure follows a 2023 law that provided paid sick leave for incapacitating menstruation. The benefit structure differs from standard sick leave because payments begin on the second day of leave rather than the fourth. The employer covers the salary for the first day, and Social Security provides a benefit equal to 60% of the regulatory base for the first 20 days. This amount rises to 75% from day 21.

Additionally, the government waived the requirement for workers to have made Social Security contributions for at least 180 days over the previous five years to qualify for this leave. Spain is moving ahead of several neighboring countries, including Germany, Italy, Greece, Portugal, and Turkey, which do not currently have specific workplace leave for menopause. In countries like Germany and Portugal, women must request ordinary sick leave for a common illness.

The Spanish reform establishes a specific protection for conditions like severe hot flushes, fatigue, or concentration difficulties when they reach a level that hinders work.