Spain is set to become the first European country to offer specific paid sick leave for women suffering from severe menopause-related conditions. The measure, approved by the Spanish government on 20 October, will take effect on 1 December 2026. It marks a significant expansion of labour protections for women, building on the pioneering menstrual leave introduced in 2023.
Under the new rules, female workers in Spain who experience incapacitating symptoms linked to the menopause—such as severe hot flushes, chronic fatigue, sleep disturbances, or difficulty concentrating—will be able to request a specific medical leave. Crucially, eligibility does not depend on a minimum period of social security contributions, a departure from the usual requirements for sick leave.
The leave is not automatic. A doctor must certify that the worker has a condition associated with a secondary menopausal disorder that temporarily prevents her from performing her job. The medical certificate will be transmitted electronically to the social security system, sparing the worker from handing it to her employer.
Financial support and conditions
One of the key differences from standard sick leave is the timing of payments. While ordinary sick leave benefits begin on the fourth day, women taking this new leave will receive payments from the second day. The employer covers the first day's salary, and from the second day the social security system pays 60% of the regulatory base for the first 20 days, rising to 75% from day 21.
Another notable feature is the waiver of the usual requirement to have contributed to social security for at least 180 days over the previous five years. This means that even women who have recently started working or have irregular contribution histories can access the benefit, provided they meet the medical criteria.
The Minister for Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, Elma Saiz, defended the reform at a press conference following the cabinet meeting. "More than ten and a half million women are affiliated to Social Security and we are responding to situations that were made invisible," she said.
A pioneering step in Europe
Spain's move stands out in a European context. Germany, Italy, Greece, Portugal, and Turkey do not have specific workplace leave for menopause. In Germany and Portugal, for example, women whose symptoms prevent them from working can only request ordinary sick leave for a common illness, with no separate recognition of menopause-related conditions.
The reform is part of a broader trend in Spain to address health issues that have long been overlooked in the workplace. The 2023 menstrual leave was already considered a pioneering measure in Europe, and the new menopause leave extends that protection to a later stage of women's lives.
As Europe's population ages and more women remain in the workforce beyond their 50s, the issue of menopause in the workplace is gaining attention. Spain's initiative could prompt other member states to consider similar measures, though no such proposals are currently on the table in most capitals.
The measure also highlights the need for social protection systems to adapt to health problems that are specific to women. While the European Union has directives on equal treatment and occupational health, menopause-related leave remains a national competence, and Spain is now leading the way.
For women in Spain, the new leave will be available from December 2026, giving employers and the health system time to prepare. The government hopes that the measure will not only provide financial support but also help destigmatise menopause in the workplace, encouraging open conversations and better accommodations for affected workers.
