Spain Introduces Paid Menopause Leave
Female workers with impairing menopause conditions can access medical leave and benefits from December 1, 2026, in a move to protect women's health at work
Spain will introduce paid menopause sick leave from December 1, 2026, allowing female workers with impairing conditions linked to menopause to access specific medical leave and receive benefits from the second day. This reform aims to protect women's health at work and address health problems that have received little attention in the workplace.
The reform was approved by the government on October 20, 2026, and marks a further step in protecting women’s health at work. More than 10.5 million women are affiliated to Social Security in Spain, and the government believes this measure will help address health problems that for years have received little attention in the workplace.
The minister for Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, Elma Saiz, defended the reform, stating that the government is responding to situations that were made invisible. To access the menopause leave, a doctor's diagnosis of a condition associated with a secondary menopausal disorder is required, which temporarily prevents the woman from carrying out her job.
This move is not the first time Spain has taken steps to protect women's health at work. In 2023, the country approved paid sick leave for incapacitating menstruation, considered a pioneering measure in Europe. The new rules now extend that protection to certain conditions linked to the menopause.
## Why it matters The introduction of paid menopause sick leave is significant, as it acknowledges the impact of menopause on women's daily lives and work. Severe hot flushes, sleeping problems, fatigue, or difficulties concentrating can affect women during menopause, and this leave will provide them with the support they need. The reform is a step towards creating a more inclusive and supportive work environment for women in Spain.
The new rules will apply from December 1, 2026, and will provide female workers with the necessary support and protection to manage their health during menopause. As other European countries still do not provide a similar measure, Spain's move is a significant step forward in protecting women's health at work.
