Spain approves social reforms for widows, menopause, and terrorism victims

The Spanish Council of Ministers has approved a royal decree-law introducing several social protection measures. Key reforms include expanding widowhood pension access to cohabiting couples with children, provided they can prove two years of continuous coexistence, even without formal marriage or civil partnership registration. Previously denied applicants will have a 12-month window to request a review.

The decree also establishes new temporary disability protections. Women suffering from pathologies associated with menopause will receive full salary on the first day of leave and Social Security benefits starting from the second day. For victims of gender-based violence, the benefit will be 60% of the regulatory base until the 20th day of leave, increasing to 75% thereafter.

Additional measures include: • Enhanced support for parents caring for minors with cancer or serious illnesses, allowing both parents to receive benefits simultaneously or alternatively. • Increased extraordinary pensions for victims of terrorism, setting a floor equivalent to two minimum salaries. • Improved economic protection for orphans of gender-based violence and increased maximum advances from the Food Payment Guarantee Fund. • New temporary disability coverage for workers affected by natural disasters, treated similarly to occupational accidents.