Brazil's lower house approved on Tuesday, November 4, a bill gradually extending paternity leave from 5 to 20 days, starting in 2027. The text, reported by Deputy Pedro Campos (PSB-PE), returns to the Senate for further review after amendments. The measure includes full government payment and additional benefits for specific cases.
Brazil's Chamber of Deputies approved Bill 3935/08, originating from the Senate, extending the current 5-day paternity leave to 20 days progressively. The vote was symbolic on Tuesday, November 4, with opposition only from the Novo party and Deputy Kim Kataguiri (União Brasil-SP). Initially proposed at 30 days after a five-year transition, the period was shortened due to fiscal resistances and plenary negotiations led by rapporteur Pedro Campos.
Implementation will span three years from 2027: 10 days in 2027, 15 days in 2028, and 20 days in 2029, conditioned on meeting the 2027 fiscal target for the final increase. The benefit will be paid at full remuneration by Social Security, reimbursing employers, including small businesses via tax compensation. For children with disabilities, leave increases by one-third, resulting in about 13, 20, or 27 days depending on the phase. Job stability lasts 30 days post-return, and in case of the mother's death, the father may have up to 120 days off.
A new feature allows splitting leave into two equal periods, with the first immediately after birth, adoption, or judicial custody, and the rest within 180 days, provided the mother is alive. Companies in the Citizen Company Program will grant 15 extra days, potentially totaling 35 days. Estimated costs vary: R$ 3.3 billion in 2027 per one source, or R$ 4.34 billion per another, rising to R$ 5.44 billion in 2029.
Pedro Campos emphasized the cultural importance: “Early paternal involvement, as indicated by Fiocruz and Unicef research, is associated with greater adherence to exclusive breastfeeding, reduced infectious diseases in childhood, and lower postpartum depression incidence.” Deputy Tabata Amaral (PSB-SP) stated the measure unlocks future debates: “With this concrete fact of parents having 20 days, they will help us explain in the future that 20 days is too little.” The Lula government endorsed the bill, addressing a pending STF decision since 1988. In the Senate, Senator Alessandro Vieira (MDB-SE) may report it, viewing progress despite the reduction.
