Better unemployment benefits and improved family leave rights in Spain

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1. The breastfeeding leave is improved: one hour off work (or a half-hour schedule reduction, or accumulated full days) to care for the baby until nine months, no longer depending on collective agreements or a deal with the employer. If both parents take it with the same schedule, it can extend to twelve months with reduced pay after the ninth month.
2. Collective agreements at the regional (autonomous community) level will take priority over state-level agreements when they are more favorable to workers and have the required negotiating majorities behind them.
3. Coverage of the unemployment subsidy expands: people under 45 without family responsibilities who have used up a benefit of at least 360 days, people with less than six months of contributions, and seasonal farm workers, previously excluded, can now qualify.
4. Requirements are simplified: the one-month waiting period after the contributory benefit ends is removed, and income is measured as the total income of the household divided by its members, capped at 75% of the minimum wage. The subsidy is granted in three-month periods and certified through a signed statement.
5. The subsidy amount will decrease over time: 95% of the IPREMIPREM Indicador Público de Renta de Efectos Múltiples: a reference amount used to calculate some benefits and payments. for the first 180 days, 90% up to day 360, and 80% after that. The subsidy for people over 52 stays at 80% of the IPREM and adds retirement contributions.
6. The subsidy and contributory benefits (from the tenth month if they last more than twelve) will be compatible with paid employment as an employment support supplement, for a maximum of 180 days. They are also compatible with training aid and academic internships.
7. To receive the subsidy, people must sign and comply with an activity agreement with employment services, which includes actively looking for work. Breaking it will be grounds for suspending the benefit.
8. People who must repay benefits received by mistake can request payment in installments (up to five years) or partial offset against new benefits, instead of repaying everything at once.

Who it affects

• Unemployed people receiving or applying for the unemployment subsidy: Requirements, amounts, duration and compatibility with work change; those already receiving it keep the old rules until their right ends.
• Families with babies: Breastfeeding leave becomes a direct right of one hour a day, which can be accumulated or replaced by a shorter workday.
• Seasonal farm workers in Andalusia and Extremadura: The minimum number of days worked needed to get the subsidy or the farm income benefit is reduced.
• Public employees who are caregivers: Public administrations must adopt flexible schedule measures to care for children under 12 and dependent persons.
• Performing artists: Special rules let them vote and run in works council elections with only 20 days of seniority.

Words worth knowing

Prestación contributiva

The unemployment benefit based on contributions paid while working; it pays more and lasts longer than the subsidy.

Subsidio (nivel asistencial)

A means-tested payment for unemployed people who do not qualify for the contributory benefit or have used it up.

IPREM

Indicador Público de Renta de Efectos Múltiples: a reference amount used to calculate some benefits and payments.

Acuerdo de actividad

A commitment signed with public employment services that includes looking for work and joining reemployment plans.

Declaración responsable

A statement in which a person declares their data is true; the administration can verify it later.

It summarizes the law as published in the BOE. It is written by artificial intelligence and may contain mistakes: the official text is what counts. Read the official text · How we make summaries