Social Security processed 1,729 benefits for birth and child care in Navarre in the first quarter of this year. Of these, 760 corresponded to the first parent, usually the mother, and 969, to the second parent. The cost associated with this benefit amounted to 15,145,378 euros between the months of January and March.
Throughout the country, 113,591 cases of birth and child care benefits have been processed for a total amount of 930.1 million euros. These figures correspond to periods enjoyed between January and March of this year, so they do not exactly coincide with the number of benefits processed, since, for example, there are cases of benefits that could start the process in 2024 and part of them enjoyed in 2025.
The average duration of active birth and childcare leave between January and March 2025 was 110.6 days and, specifically, 112.6 days for women and 108.9 days for men.
The childbirth and childcare benefit replaces the old maternity and paternity benefits since 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 remainder of the time may 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 in https://prestaciones.seg-social.es/servicio/prestacion-nacimiento-adopcion-cuidado-menor.html?categoria=nacimiento-adopcion-embarazo.
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 between January and March was 484, of which 403 corresponded to women and the rest, 81, to men. The number of surpluses in Navarre fell by 2.81 percent compared to the same period last year. In the country as a whole, 11,930 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.