Fatherhood Resources: Brazil
Official paternity leave guidance including Brazil's landmark 2026 law, mental health support, and verified resources for fathers across Brazil.
5 days
Current Paternity Leave
Until 31 December 2026
20 days
By 2029 (Lei 15.371/2026)
Phased in from January 2027
20 days
Empresa Cidadã Program
Available now for qualifying companies
Verified Resources for Brazilian Dads
Presidência da República: Lei 15.371/2026
GovernmentBrazilOfficial text of Brazil's new paternity leave law (Law 15,371/2026), signed by President Lula on 31 March 2026. Gradually extends paternity leave from 5 to 20 days by 2029 and creates a new paternity salary (salário-paternidade).
Ministério do Trabalho: Licença-Paternidade
GovernmentBrazilOfficial Ministry of Labour guide to paternity leave in Brazil. Currently 5 days (extendable to 20 days for companies in the Empresa Cidadã program), transitioning to 20 days by 2029 under the new law.
INSS: Salário-Maternidade
GovernmentBrazilNational Social Security Institute guide to maternity salary benefits. Relevant for fathers in cases where the mother is deceased or incapacitated, as the benefit may transfer to the father.
CVV: Centro de Valorização da Vida
HelplineBrazilBrazil's leading emotional support and suicide prevention organisation. Free 24/7 support by phone (188), chat, and email for fathers and anyone in emotional distress.
CAPS: Centro de Atenção Psicossocial
Mental HealthBrazilBrazil's public mental health centres (CAPS) provide free community-based mental health services across the country, including support for fathers experiencing depression and anxiety.
Equimundo: Program P Brazil
OrganisationBrazil & GlobalInternational program (named after "pai," the Portuguese word for father) working with fathers in Brazil and globally to promote positive, involved fatherhood through community programs and research.
Key facts for Brazilian fathers
- •Brazil's new Law 15,371/2026, signed on 31 March 2026, gradually extends paternity leave from 5 to 20 days and creates a new "salário-paternidade" (paternity salary) within the social security system.
- •The transition schedule: current rules (5 days) apply until 31 December 2026; 10 days from January 2027; 15 days from January 2028; 20 days from January 2029.
- •Companies participating in the Empresa Cidadã (Citizen Company) program can already offer 20 days of paternity leave in exchange for tax benefits.
- •Paternity leave in Brazil applies to all employees in the formal sector (CLT). Self-employed and informal workers are not covered by the statutory entitlement.
- •CVV (Centro de Valorização da Vida) offers free 24/7 emotional support by calling 188. CAPS centres across Brazil provide free community mental health services.