Social Security processed 3,398 birth and child care benefits in Navarre in the first half of this year. Of these, 1,529 corresponded to the first parent, usually the mother, and 1,869 to the second parent. The cost associated with this benefit amounted to 30,310,959 euros between the months of January and June.
In the country as a whole, 238,430 cases of birth and child care benefits have been processed for a total amount of 1,862.2 million euros. These figures correspond to periods enjoyed between January and June 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 were enjoyed in 2025.
The average duration of active birth and childcare leave between January and June 2025 was 110.6 days and, specifically, 112.6 days for women and 108.9 days for men.
The benefit goes from 16 to 19 weeks
The Council of Ministers yesterday approved the extension of the birth and childcare leave, which goes from 16 to 19 weeks, equal for mothers and fathers, non-transferable, with 100% coverage by Social Security.
From its entry into force, both parents will enjoy one more week of the child ' s birth and care leave, i.e. 17 weeks, during the child ' s first year of life or the administrative or judicial decision, in the case of reception or adoption. The obligation is maintained to enjoy six weeks immediately after the birth or judicial or administrative decision in cases of adoption, custody or fostering. The rest of the time can be arranged in successive periods, of at least one week in duration. In addition, both parents will be entitled to two more weeks of birth and childcare leave, which can be enjoyed until the child reaches the age of 8.
On the other hand, in the case of single-parent families, 80% consisting of women, the leave is doubled and will be of 32 weeks.
The childbirth and childcare benefit replaces the old maternity and paternity benefits since January 1, 2021 and has meant the complete equalization of both. Until now, the permit, recognized as an individual and non-transferable right, was 16 weeks for both parents.
The amount of these benefits is equivalent to the regulatory basis 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 June was 933, of which 781 corresponded to women and the rest, 152, to men. The number of surpluses in Navarre fell by 7.16 percent compared to the same period last year. In the country as a whole, 24,354 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.