Paternity Leave in Portugal
Fathers in Portugal must take 28 days of leave after the birth and can take 7 more, all paid at 100%. Plan your dates below.
Last updated: 13 November 2026
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Portugal paternity leave at a glance
A father receives 28 compulsory paid calendar days after the birth and may take 7 more paid days while the mother is on initial parental leave.
- Leave length
- 28 compulsory days plus 7 optional days.
- When to take it
- The 28 compulsory days within 42 days of the birth, in blocks of at least 7 days; the first 7 straight after the birth. The optional days run alongside the mother's initial parental leave.
- Pay
- Social Security pays 100% of your reference pay for the father's exclusive leave.
- Who qualifies
- At least 6 months of registered earnings (consecutive or not). Self-employed claimants must have their contributions up to date.
- Self-employed fathers
- Self-employed fathers can claim if they meet the earnings requirement and their contributions are up to date.
Parental leave on top of paternity leave
Initial parental leave is 120 or 150 days, with 30 extra days if shared. Each parent can also take up to 3 months of extended parental leave.
Good to know
- Apply for the parental benefit within 6 months of the birth.
- The calculator counts all 35 days.
Legal entitlement vs employer benefits
The rules above are the legal minimum in Portugal. Many employers offer extra paid days or top up statutory pay. Add any employer leave in the calculator above to see your real return-to-work date, and confirm the details with your HR team. To compare pay over the weeks you take off, try the paternity pay calculator.
Other European guides
Official sources
Frequently asked questions
Editorial note: we summarise official government guidance and link to it. Laws change — always confirm your entitlement with your employer or the relevant authority. This page is not legal advice.