Spain will introduce paid sick leave for female workers suffering from incapacitating health problems linked to the menopause, effective 1 December 2026, after the government approved the reform on 20 October. The new right allows women to receive a benefit from the second day of leave without needing a minimum social security contribution period.
The reform marks a further step in protecting women’s health at work, building on Spain’s 2023 approval of paid sick leave for incapacitating menstruation, a measure considered pioneering in Europe. To access the new leave, a doctor must diagnose a condition associated with a secondary menopausal disorder that temporarily prevents the woman from carrying out her job. Not all symptoms give a right to medical leave; severe hot flushes, sleeping problems, fatigue or difficulties concentrating can affect daily life and, in some cases, prevent women from working.
Minister for Inclusion, Social Security and Migration Elma Saiz defended the reform at a press conference after the cabinet meeting. “More than ten and a half million women are affiliated to Social Security and we are responding to situations that were made invisible,” she said.
Under the new rules, women taking this leave receive a benefit from the second day, earlier than the usual sick leave for a common illness, which pays from the fourth day. The company covers the first day’s salary. From day two, Social Security pays 60% of the regulatory base for the first 20 days, rising to 75% from day 21. The usual requirement of having made social security contributions for at least 180 days over the previous five years is waived.
Other European countries, including Germany, Italy, Greece, Portugal and Turkey, do not have specific workplace leave for menopause. In Germany and Portugal, women whose symptoms prevent them from working can request ordinary sick leave for a common illness, but menopause has no separate labour regulations. Spain’s reform brings to the fore the question of how social protection systems can adapt to health problems that may appear during the menopause, an issue that remains unanswered in much of Europe.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Workers in Spain will gain a new safety net for menopausal symptoms that can be severely disabling, without the usual contribution requirements.
- The measure builds on Spain’s 2023 menstruation leave, reinforcing a trend toward recognising sex-specific health conditions in labour policy.
- Other European countries may face pressure to introduce similar protections, as the issue gains visibility.
Background
Spain approved paid sick leave for incapacitating menstruation in 2023, a pioneering measure in Europe. The new menopause leave extends that principle to conditions linked to a later stage of reproductive health. The government says the reform addresses health problems that have long received little attention in the workplace.
What to Watch
- Whether the medical criteria for qualifying as a “secondary menopausal disorder” lead to a high or low take-up rate after December 2026.
- Reactions from employers’ groups and opposition parties, neither of which were quoted in the announcement.
- Whether other European countries follow Spain’s lead, given that most currently have no specific menopause leave.
Checked
11 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.
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- SupportedSpain will introduce the menopause leave from 1 December 2026.Euronews: “The new conditions will start applying on 1 December 2026.”
- SupportedThe measure extends labour protection after Spain’s 2023 paid sick leave for incapacitating menstruation, described as pioneering in Europe.Euronews: “Spain had already moved in this direction in 2023, when it approved paid sick leave for incapacitating menstruation, considered a pioneering measure in Europe.”
- SupportedThe government approved the reform on 20 October.Euronews: “The reform was approved by the government on 20 October”
- SupportedEligible women can receive a benefit from the second day of leave without a minimum period of social security contributions.Euronews: “Those who suffer from incapacitating health problems linked to the menopause will be able to request a specific medical leave and receive a benefit from the second day, without needing to have paid social security contributions for a minimum period.”
- SupportedA doctor must diagnose a condition associated with a secondary menopausal disorder that temporarily prevents the woman from doing her job.Euronews: “A doctor will have to diagnose a condition associated with a secondary menopausal disorder that temporarily prevents the woman from carrying out her job.”
- SupportedElma Saiz said, “More than ten and a half million women are affiliated to Social Security and we are responding to situations that were made invisible,”.Euronews: “"More than ten and a half million women are affiliated to Social Security and we are responding to situations that were made invisible," she said.”
- SupportedSaiz defended the reform at a press conference following the cabinet meeting.Euronews: “The minister for Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, Elma Saiz, defended the reform at the press conference following the cabinet meeting.”
- SupportedThe company covers the first day’s salary; Social Security pays 60% of the regulatory base for the first 20 days from the next day, rising to 75% from day 21.Euronews: “The company will cover the salary for the first day. From the next day, the worker will receive a Social Security benefit equal to 60% of the regulatory base for the first 20 days, rising to 75% from day 21.”
- SupportedThe usual requirement of contributions for at least 180 days over the previous five years is waived for this leave.Euronews: “Another requirement for sick leave due to a common illness is also being waived: having made Social Security contributions for at least 180 days over the previous five years.”
- SupportedGermany, Italy, Greece, Portugal and Turkey do not have specific workplace leave for menopause.Euronews: “Germany, Italy, Greece, Portugal and Turkey do not have specific workplace leave for the menopause.”
- SupportedIn Germany and Portugal, women whose symptoms prevent them from working can request ordinary sick leave for a common illness.Euronews: “In Germany and Portugal, for example, women whose symptoms prevent them from working can see a doctor and request ordinary sick leave for a common illness.”
