In a groundbreaking decision, a regional court in Spain has established that single parents can request the same total amount of paid parental leave permitted for couples, providing a significant boost for numerous one-parent families across the nation. This ruling from the Murcia court in January 2025 follows a pivotal constitutional court verdict that deemed it unconstitutional to discriminate against children born to single-parent households.
The constitutional court emphasized the idea that "the duration and intensity of the need for care and attention of a newborn is the same regardless of the family model into which they were born." This legal stance, according to observers, reinforces the rights of single parents throughout Spain.
As a result of the ruling, single parents can now apply for the full complement of paid leave allocated to couples. This entitles a solo parent, acting as both caregivers, to a total of 32 weeks of paid leave, which includes six weeks of mandatory leave to be taken jointly, plus an additional 10 weeks for each parent.
Expert Carla Vall, a lawyer based in Barcelona, believes that this decision will likely create a precedent, encouraging parents in other regions to claim similar rights. She states, "Now this doctrine means that the rest of the courts are going to adopt this reading of rights."
Pablo Bustinduy, Spain's social rights minister, hailed the ruling as a triumph for civil society, noting it reflects the growing acknowledgment of the need for equitable care support for diverse family structures. This legal shift marks an essential step toward more inclusive parental policies, addressing the needs of all families, regardless of their configuration.
