Spanish Court Grants Equal Parental Leave for Single Parents

A regional court in Spain has deemed that single parents are entitled to the same total amount of paid parental leave as couples, marking a significant shift in family rights.

In a groundbreaking decision, a regional court in Spain has ruled that single parents are eligible for the same amount of paid parental leave as couples, potentially reshaping the landscape for one-parent families in the country. This ruling from the southeastern region of Murcia follows a constitutional court ruling in November that prohibited discrimination against children raised in single-parent households.

"The duration and intensity of care required for a newborn is uniform, irrespective of the family structure," stated the constitutional court in its verdict, which served as a reference for the regional court's decision.

This ruling allows solo parents to request the full extent of paid leave available to couples, which includes six weeks of mandatory leave that must be taken together, plus an additional 10 weeks for each parent. Consequently, a single parent can claim up to 32 weeks of paid leave, as ruled by the regional court.

Carla Vall, a lawyer specializing in gender issues in Barcelona, indicated that parents in other regions of Spain could use the Murcia court's decision to seek similar benefits. “This ruling sets a precursory standard that other courts are likely to follow,” she asserted in a recent telephone interview.

Pablo Bustinduy, the Minister of Social Rights, celebrated the decision as "fantastic news and a triumph for civil society after years of advocacy," emphasizing its importance for the growing number of families led by single parents in Spain.