Portugal's PSD pushes for 180‑day fully paid parental leave

Portugal’s centre‑right Social Democratic Party (PSD) has submitted an amendment to a citizen’s legislative initiative that would lengthen paid parental leave to 180 days, with 100 % wage compensation provided the final 60 days are shared equally between parents.

The proposal also calls for a mandatory 28‑day paternity leave and a new right to a continuous work‑day arrangement for employees with family responsibilities, echoing earlier government ideas that stalled in recent labour‑law negotiations.

Earlier, a January‑approved citizen’s initiative had sought full 100 % payment for the first six months regardless of sharing, but Labour Minister Maria do Rosário Palma Ramalho rejected that on grounds it could worsen gender inequality and raise female unemployment. The PSD amendment will be reconsidered after the parliamentary recess.