Maternity Leave

 

The maternity leave in Portugal is similar to many other European countries. Many other countries have similar lengths of leave, flexibility and pay. However, Portugal’s leave policies are a lot more helpful than policy in the United States.

• Duration
• 120 to 150 days

• Payment
• 120 days fully paid or 150 days at 80% pay

• Flexibility in Use
• 90 days must be taken after the birth, but 30 days can be used whenever the mother want to take them
• Women must take 60 days leave, then they can transfer the rest to the father

                                                                 
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Photo curtosey of:Sean Dreilinger    

• Eligibility
  
• All women with six months of insurance contributions
• Self-employed women paying social security  
• Women receiving unemployment benefits are eligible for leave                                                                              
  

• Variation in Use
• 30 extra days for every additional birth
• If the mother dies in child birth then all leave is given to the father
• Grandparents are allowed 30 days leave if their adolescent child gives birth