Social Security has processed 1,524 cases of birth and child care benefits in the first six months of 2024, of which 670 corresponded to the first parent and 854 to the second parent, that is, more than 56% of the permits would correspond, mostly, to the parents.
The number of birth and child care permits in this first semester decreased slightly (-2.2%) compared to the same period of time of 2023, when 1,558 were processed.
These figures correspond to the number of files managed, not to the number of recipients, since the benefit can be enjoyed on a weekly basis and is counted each time one of them is started.
The cost of the birth and child care allowance in the first six months of the year was 10.7 million euros.
The average duration of active child care and birth benefits in the first half of 2024 was 105 days.
The childbirth and childcare allowance is an individual and non-transferable right of both parents. He replaced the old maternity and paternity benefits and equated them. Currently, the leave is 16 weeks, six of which must be enjoyed immediately after childbirth or a judicial or administrative decision in cases of adoption, custody or fostering. The rest of the time can be arranged in successive periods before the baby turns one year old.
The amount of these benefits is equivalent to the contribution base of the month prior to childbirth, adoption, care or fostering, and is paid directly by the National Social Security Institute (INSS) during the weeks of the leave.
The National Social Security Institute offers the possibility to apply for the birth benefit electronically, through the portal Tu Seguridad Social (https://sede.seg-social.gob.es/) and through https://tramites.seg-social.es/acceso/prestacion-nacimiento-cuidado-menor.html.
Successive rest periods may also be requested electronically for the birth or care of the child, if the parents choose to divide the period.
Child, Foster or Family Child Care Leave
On the other hand, the number of surpluses registered in the first half of the year was 230, of which 193 corresponded to women, 83.9%, and 37 to men, which is equivalent to 16.1%. Compared to the same period last year, the number of surpluses has fallen by 9.45%, 24 less in 2024 than in 2023.