Campaigners have gathered more than 42,000 signatures to relaunch debate in Parliament over initial parental leave (licença parental inicial), after an earlier attempt was nullified when the Assembly dissolved and the government fell in March 2025. Observador and Correio da Manhã report the petition will prompt renewed discussion among MPs about the measure and its design. Employers, new parents and HR teams should watch parliamentary timetables for any proposals that could affect leave entitlements.
42,000 signatures revive parental‑leave debate
Thursday, 22 January 2026AI summary
Context & Explainers
The Assembly of the Republic (Assembleia da República) is Portugal’s unicameral parliament of 230 deputies elected for four‑year terms; it makes laws, approves the budget and oversees the government. It approved the law strengthening penalties and rules for train drivers on 19 December 2025, demonstrating how parliamentary decisions directly change safety and labour rules that affect public services.
Initial parental leave (licença parental inicial) is the period of leave taken immediately after a child’s birth so parents can care for and bond with the newborn; it is part of Portugal’s broader parental-leave framework. A citizen initiative to change those rules was nullified after the Assembly was dissolved in March 2025 but signatures were gathered again, so parents and employers should watch for potential changes to leave length or compensation.
Parental leave (licença parental) in Portugal includes paid leave around childbirth that can be shared between parents plus a separate paternity quota, with eligibility usually tied to social‑security contributions or residency. Payments and administration go through Social Security (Segurança Social), so expat parents should check their contribution record, employment contract and register with Segurança Social to claim benefits and confirm exact leave length and pay rates.
