Leave Entitlement Calculator Portugal 2026

Portugal treats maternity and paternity as one shared entitlement — the licença parental inicial — and is one of the few EU countries where a substantial part of the father's leave is legally compulsory.

Maternity leave
17 weeks @ 100%
Paternity leave
28 days @ 100%
Parental leave
17 weeks @ 83%
Annual leave
22 days

The initial parental leave is 17 weeks at 100% of the reference remuneration, or 180 days at 83% if the parents share it, paid by Segurança Social. Six weeks after the birth are compulsory for the mother.

The father's exclusive entitlement is 28 days at 100%, of which 28 days are mandatory — 7 taken in the first 7 days after the birth and the remainder within the first 42 days. Portugal's compulsory father's quota is among the longest in the EU.

Extended parental leave adds 17 weeks at about 83% (the 180-day shared option), and parents of children under six also retain the right to reduced or flexible working hours under Article 55.º of the Código do Trabalho.

Paid annual leave is 22 working days per year, accrued at two days per month in the first calendar year of employment up to a maximum of 20 days. Employees who take no more than one day of unjustified absence can earn up to three additional days, and untaken leave may generally be carried into the following year until 30 April.

Leave Calculator

Leave Calculator

Simulate maternity, paternity, and parental leave and compare rights in the EU

Leave Simulation

🇵🇹 Rights in Portugal

Maternity

17 weeks (100%)

Paternity

28 days (100%)

Parental

17 weeks (83%)

Annual Leave

22 days

Shared leave can be up to 6 months.

Maternity Leave
Simulation for Portugal

17

weeks (119 days)

100%

of salary

Normal Monthly Salary:€1,500.00
Monthly During Leave:€1,500.00
Total to Receive:€5,950.00

Sick Leave in Portugal:

65% salary (1-30 days)

EU Comparison - Annual Leave
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28

days

🇮🇹

26

days

🇱🇺

26

days

🇵🇱

26

days

🇫🇷

25

days

🇦🇹

25

days

🇸🇪

25

days

🇩🇰

25

days

🇫🇮

25

days

🇲🇹

24

days

🇵🇹

22

days

🇪🇸

22

days

🇩🇪

20

days

🇳🇱

20

days

🇧🇪

20

days

🇮🇪

20

days

🇧🇬

20

days

🇨🇾

20

days

🇨🇿

20

days

🇬🇷

20

days

🇭🇷

20

days

🇭🇺

20

days

🇱🇹

20

days

🇱🇻

20

days

🇷🇴

20

days

🇸🇰

20

days

🇸🇮

20

days

⚠️ Indicative values based on 2026 general legislation. Consult Social Security.

Country guides

Detailed rules and worked examples for each pilot country.

Parental and Annual Leave Rights Across the EU

Maternity Leave EUPaternity LeaveParental LeaveAnnual LeaveCongé de MaternitéElternzeitPaid Holidays EuropeWork-Life BalanceLeave EntitlementsMutterschutz

The European Union guarantees minimum standards for annual leave, maternity leave, paternity leave, and parental leave through directives. However, each member state implements these rights differently, often exceeding the EU minimum. Understanding your leave entitlements is crucial when working or relocating within Europe.

Maternity Leave (Congé de Maternité) in Europe

The EU Pregnant Workers Directive mandates a minimum of 14 weeks maternity leave. Sweden offers 480 days of parental leave shared between parents. France provides 16 weeks of congé de maternité at near-full pay. Germany's Mutterschutz covers 14 weeks (6 before, 8 after birth) at 100% salary. In Portugal, mothers receive 120 days at 100% or 150 days at 80%. Spain grants 16 weeks of permiso de maternidad at 100% of the regulatory base.

Paternity Leave Rights

Paternity leave varies dramatically across EU countries. Spain leads with 16 weeks of permiso de paternidad at 100% pay. France offers 28 days of congé de paternité. Luxembourg provides 10 days of congé de paternité. Germany integrates paternity leave into the Elternzeit system (up to 3 years). Portugal grants 28 mandatory days for fathers. The EU Work-Life Balance Directive ensures a minimum of 10 days across all member states.

Parental Leave (Elternzeit / Congé Parental)

Beyond maternity and paternity leave, parental leave allows parents to care for young children. Germany's Elternzeit provides up to 3 years with Elterngeld (67% of net income, capped at €1,800/month). France offers congé parental d'éducation until the child turns 3. Luxembourg grants 6 months full-time or 12 months part-time congé parental with a fixed allowance. Belgium's ouderschapsverlof provides 4 months per parent.

Annual Leave Entitlements (Paid Holidays)

The EU Working Time Directive guarantees a minimum of 4 weeks (20 working days) paid annual leave. Austria offers 25 days plus 13 public holidays. France provides 25 days of congés payés plus RTT days. Luxembourg grants 26 days minimum. Germany mandates 20 days minimum but most contracts provide 25-30 days (Urlaubstage). Finland offers 25-30 days of vuosiloma. Public holidays (jours fériés, Feiertage) add 8-15 additional days depending on the country.

How Leave Impacts Your Salary and Benefits

During leave periods, compensation varies by country and leave type. Some countries pay 100% of salary during maternity leave while others apply caps or reduced rates. Social security contributions typically continue during leave periods, protecting pension rights and healthcare coverage. Understanding the financial impact of each leave type helps with family planning and career management across EU borders.

Parental & Maternity Leave Calculator — Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about parental and maternity leave across EU countries