Portugal labor law allows parents paid leave for school matters

Under the Portuguese Labor Code, working parents have a legal right to justified absences to attend to their children's educational needs. This includes traveling to educational establishments for matters related to a minor's schooling, such as parent-teacher meetings.

According to the law, these absences are permitted for the strictly necessary time required for the trip, up to a limit of four hours per quarter for each child. These absences are considered justified and do not result in a loss of remuneration, as they must be paid by the employer.

To exercise this right, employees should notify their employer in advance—ideally at least five days for predictable absences. Employers may request proof of the absence, such as a declaration of presence issued by the school. Legal expert Marta Esteves notes that this right is often underutilized due to a lack of awareness among workers.