Social Security has processed 1,647 benefits for birth and child care in the Foral Community during the first quarter of 2023. Of these, 771 corresponded to the first parent, usually the mother, and 876, to the second parent, usually the father. In the country as a whole, 119,435 birth and childcare benefits have been 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 expenditure on this benefit between the months of January and March has risen in Navarre to 13,330,105 euros, and to 856.6 million euros throughout the country.
The childbirth and childcare benefit replaced the old maternity and paternity benefits when it came into force on January 1, 2021 and has meant the complete equalization of both. Currently, the leave is 16 weeks for both parents and is recognized as an individual and non-transferable right. Of the 16 weeks, six of them must be enjoyed immediately after childbirth or judicial or administrative resolution in cases of adoption, custody or placement. The rest of the time can be arranged in successive periods, of at least one week in duration.
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 via the form on 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.