A working parent will be entitled to a new type of one-week leave, which can be used in the event of the death of a child under the age of eighteen (18).

The leave is for seven (7) working days. It’s worth noting that previously, this type of leave was one (1) or two (2) days depending on the sector. It will now be increased to seven (7) days.

Yes, Special Parental Bereavement Leave is legally provided as a separate leave entitlement.

This leave will come into effect as from the 1st of January 2026.

The first one (1) or two (2) days of leave, depending on the sector, will be covered by the employer. The remaining days, up to a total of seven (7) working days, will be funded by the government through the Department for Social Security.

Practical Examples from Wage Regulation Orders:

Scenario 1: In sectors not governed by a specific Wage Regulation Order, such as general administrative or clerical roles, bereavement leave is regulated by Legal Notice 432 of 2007, which provides for a minimum of one working day of paid bereavement leave.  In such cases, the employer is responsible for paying the first day. The remaining six days of Special Parental Bereavement Leave, bringing the total to seven, are covered by the Department for Social Security.

Scenario 2: In sectors such as Wholesale & Retail Trades, which are regulated under Wage Regulation Order S.L. 452.63, employees are entitled to two working days of paid bereavement leave. Here, the employer pays for both days. The remaining five days of Special Parental Bereavement Leave, bringing the total to seven, are covered by the Department for Social Security.

Yes, based on the hours they work, that is, on a pro-rata basis.

The parent must inform the employer. The employer will then apply for a refund from the Department of Social Security.

The application must be submitted within three (3) months from the date the employee took the Special Parental Bereavement Leave.