Spain
Find out key information relating to Spain’s leave entitlements
Leave entitlement & working time regulations at a glance
Minimum Holiday Entitlement
30 days
Public Holidays
14 per year
Parental Leave
16 weeks for mothers; 16 weeks for fathers (fully paid)
Working Week
40 hours (full time)
Sick Leave Entitlement
Paid by the employer for the first 15 days; insurance thereafter
Region
EMEA
ABSENCE & LEAVE
Additional information
Annual leave
Each week, Spanish employees are legally entitled to an uninterrupted rest period of at least 1.5 days. In the majority of cases, this period must include Sunday. There are extra complications when it comes to public holidays, as each Spanish province has a different number each year.
Sick leave
When it comes to sick leave, employees get no pay for their first three days of absence. After this, the employer must pay sick leave, with the rate set at 60% of the contribution base of the previous month. After 16 days of sick leave, the employer can deduct this amount from the employee’s mandatory social security payments. After 21 days of sick leave, the rate rises to 75%.
Additional leave
As for maternity leave, employees are entitled to 16 weeks. During this period, employees get a maternity benefit instead of their salary, which is covered by social security. Fathers can also get up to 16 weeks of paid paternity leave, which must begin after the birth. Spanish employees are also entitled to 15 days of marriage leave, and 1 day of moving leave if an employee’s relocating to a new house.