The Social Security processed 6,743 benefits for birth and child care in Navarre in 2023. Of these, 3,127 corresponded to the first parent, usually the mother, and 3,616 to the second parent. The cost of this benefit between January and December amounted to 55,484,482 euros.
In the country as a whole, 467,678 birth and child care benefits were processed last year for a total amount of 3,423 million euros.
The childbirth and childcare benefit, which replaced the old maternity and paternity benefits, 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.
The amount of these benefits is equivalent to the base of contributions for common contingencies in the month prior to childbirth, adoption, custody 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.
Child care leave, foster child or family member
On the other hand, the number of surpluses registered in 2023 was 2,114, of which 1,778 corresponded to women and the rest, 336, to men. The number of surpluses has increased by 13.78% compared to the previous year. In the country as a whole, 54,796 surpluses were discharged.
Workers may apply for leave to care for children or minors who have been taken in or for the care of other family members. The first three years of leave to care for a foster child are considered an effective contributory period for the purposes of Social Security benefits for retirement, permanent disability, death and survival, maternity and paternity. The first year of leave to care for other family members is also considered to be actually paid for the purposes of these benefits.