Child-care leave for civil servants

When the mutual society member is on childcare leave of absence, they do not have to pay MUFACE contributions and they have the right to return to their position

Civil servants have the right to leave to care for relatives, in accordance with Article 89 of the Basic Statute for Civil Servants, approved by Legislative Royal Decree 5/2015 of 30 October. It is a social security benefit within the MUFACE healthcare system.

Civil servants on leave to care for children or relatives do not have to pay MUFACE contributions during this period, in accordance with Article 23 of the Regulations on the Administrative Mutualism.

With respect to leaves of absence, we will look at the following points:

1. Leave of absence for caring for relatives

2. Frequently asked questions on leave of absence for civil servants in MUFACE

Leave of absence for caring for relatives

For a leave of absence of this type, there are two scenarios: leaves of absence to care for children or relatives under their care.

Leave of absence for childcare

It lasts for a maximum duration of 3 years for each natural, adopted, or fostered child, counted from the child's date of birth, adoption, or fostering. Civil servants in this situation have right to return to their position and its computation for the purposes of three-year pay rises, consolidation of personal status, passive rights, and voluntary leave requests on personal grounds

Leave of absence for caring for relatives

This is addressed to workers who need to leave their job to take care of a family member due to age, accident, illness, or disability, that prevents them working themselves. It is limited to relatives up to the second degree of blood or family relationship.
It lasts for a maximum duration of 3 years for each person that requires care. In this case, the leave of absence period will be counted for the purposes of retirement and three-year pay rises.

Frequently asked questions on leave of absence for civil servants in MUFACE

I am going to request leave on personal grounds and I do not know if I have to keep paying the MUFACE contribution, or how to do this.

While they are taking leave on personal grounds, the obligation to pay contributions is suspended. Nonetheless, when the leave finishes and they begin to receive their salary once more, both the current and a late instalment will be deducted from the monthly wage, until the debt is paid. Check with the Authorised Person in the Organisation to which it is destined.

When a mutual society member is on childcare leave for a child under 3 years old or to care for relatives, how do they pay the MUFACE contribution?

Civil servants on leave to care for children or relatives do not have to pay MUFACE contributions during this period. Article 23 of the Regulation.

If they work a reduced timetable is the MUFACE payment also reduced?

Yes, it is reduced in the same proportion as the remuneration, with the same date of effect as the reduction, but only if the reduction in working hours has been authorised for a time that is not expected to be less than one year. Article 25.4.a) of the Regulation.