Working hours reduction to care for a child with cancer or a serious illness: what Article 37.6 of the Workers' Statute says from 23 October 2026

A family asks their advisory firm to reduce their working hours because their child, who has already turned 18, is still undergoing treatment. The question is always the same: for how long can the reduction be maintained? From 23 October 2026, the answer lies in a new wording of Article 37.6 of the Workers' Statute, and it is advisable to read it with the text in front of you.

1. Which regulation changes it and from when

The seventh article of Royal Decree-Law 31/2026 states it plainly: «Se da nueva redacción al apartado 6 del artículo 37 del texto refundido de la Ley del Estatuto de los Trabajadores» [Paragraph 6 of Article 37 of the consolidated text of the Workers' Statute Act is hereby redrafted].

The effective date is set by its fourth final provision, which is reproduced just as it was published, including the typographical error «del Ley» [of the Act [sic]]: «Las modificaciones introducidas en los artículos 190, 191 y 192 del texto refundido de la Ley General de la Seguridad Social, así como en el artículo 37.6 del texto refundido del Ley del Estatuto de los Trabajadores, producirán efectos el día 23 de octubre de 2026.» [The amendments introduced in Articles 190, 191 and 192 of the consolidated text of the General Social Security Act, as well as in Article 37.6 of the consolidated text of the Act [sic] on the Workers' Statute, shall take effect on 23 October 2026.]

Note that the same sentence includes Articles 190 to 192 of the General Social Security Act, which govern the financial benefit linked to this care. Employment law and the Social Security benefit change on the same day.

2. The right: at least half of the working hours

A parent, guardian for adoption purposes or permanent foster carer is entitled to a reduction in working hours, «con la disminución proporcional del salario de, al menos, la mitad de la duración de aquella» [with a proportional reduction in salary, of at least half the duration thereof], to care for a minor affected by cancer or another serious illness that requires direct, continuous and permanent care, certified by a report from the public health service of the autonomous community.

3. The age brackets: 18, 23, 26 and beyond

This is the point that generates the most queries. The current wording distinguishes four situations:

1. Up to 18 years of age, as a general rule.
2. Up to 23 years of age: «No obstante, cumplidos los 18 años, se podrá reconocer el derecho a la reducción de jornada hasta que el causante cumpla 23 años en los supuestos de padecimiento de cáncer o enfermedad grave diagnosticada antes de alcanzar la mayoría de edad» [However, once 18 years of age has been reached, the right to a reduction in working hours may be recognised until the person giving rise to the entitlement turns 23 in cases of suffering from cancer or a serious illness diagnosed before reaching the age of majority].
3. Up to 26 years of age: «Asimismo, se mantendrá el derecho a la reducción de jornada hasta que el causante cumpla 26 años si antes de alcanzar los 23 años acreditara, además, un grado de discapacidad igual o superior al 65 por ciento.» [Likewise, the right to a reduction in working hours shall be maintained until the person giving rise to the entitlement turns 26 if, before reaching 23 years of age, they also certify a degree of disability equal to or greater than 65 per cent.]
4. Beyond 26 years of age: «Excepcionalmente se mantendrá el derecho a la reducción de jornada más allá de los 26 años en aquellos casos en los que la persona causante acredite una discapacidad igual o superior al 65 por ciento, o bien tenga reconocido el grado III de dependencia» [Exceptionally, the right to a reduction in working hours shall be maintained beyond 26 years of age in those cases where the person giving rise to the entitlement certifies a disability equal to or greater than 65 per cent, or has been recognised as having Grade III dependency], provided that cohabitation continues and the care needs continue to be certified.

4. Both parents: for the same child or for different children

Both parents may reduce their working hours for the same child, simultaneously or in turns: «Este derecho podrá ser reconocido a favor de ambos progenitores, guardadores con fines de adopción o acogedores permanentes, por la misma persona causante, de forma alternativa o simultánea.» [This right may be recognised in favour of both parents, guardians for adoption purposes or permanent foster carers, in respect of the same person giving rise to the entitlement, either alternatively or simultaneously.]

And where there is more than one dependant in the same family who meets the requirements, each parent may exercise the right in respect of a different person: «podrá reconocerse el derecho a la reducción de jornada a ambas personas progenitoras, guardadoras con fines de adopción o acogedoras, siempre que cada una de ellas cumpla individualmente los requisitos exigidos para la reducción de jornada y se refiera al cuidado de personas distintas» [the right to a reduction in working hours may be recognised for both parents, guardians for adoption purposes or foster carers, provided that each of them individually meets the requirements demanded for the reduction in working hours and it relates to the care of different persons].

Checklist for the advisory practice

1. Application date. If it is on or after 23 October 2026, the new wording applies.
2. Age of the person giving rise to the entitlement and date of diagnosis (before or after 18 years of age).
3. Degree of disability (65 % or more) or Grade III dependency if over 23 or 26 years of age.
4. Public health service report certifying direct, continuous and permanent care.
5. Collective bargaining agreement: this may govern the accumulation of the reduction into full working days.
6. Benefit: review Articles 190 to 192 of the General Social Security Act in the consolidated text, which change on the same day.

Frequently asked questions

From when does the new wording of Article 37.6 of the Workers' Statute apply?

From 23 October 2026, pursuant to the fourth final provision of Royal Decree-Law 31/2026.

What is the minimum reduction applicable to care for a minor with cancer or a serious illness?

At least half the duration of the working hours, with a proportional reduction in salary.

Can the reduction be maintained after 18 years of age?

Yes, up to 23 years of age if the diagnosis was made before reaching the age of majority; up to 26 if a disability of 65 % or more is certified before turning 23; and exceptionally beyond 26 with a disability of 65 % or Grade III dependency, provided that cohabitation and the need for care continue.

Can both parents reduce their working hours at the same time?

Yes. Article 37.6 allows the right to be granted to both parents, guardians for adoption purposes or permanent foster carers in respect of the same person giving rise to the entitlement, either alternatively or simultaneously. Furthermore, if there is more than one dependant in the family who meets the requirements, each parent may exercise it in respect of a different person, provided that they individually meet the requirements.

Official sources

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