Workers in Spain who donate organs or tissues while alive are now entitled to sick leave with full salary, starting from the first day of medical preparation. The law removes previous barriers and aims to support those making life-saving donations.

From March 3, 2025, Spanish workers who choose to donate an organ or tissue while alive are now entitled to sick leave with 100% of their regular salary, following a legal reform published in the BOE. This new protection, introduced by Law 6/2024, amends both the General Social Security Law and the Workers’ Statute, ensuring that donors are not financially penalized for their decision to help others.

The measure applies to any employee who, due to living organ or tissue donation, requires medical care and is temporarily unable to work. The Social Security system now recognizes this as a special case of temporary incapacity due to common contingencies, granting a benefit calculated at 100% of the regulatory base—effectively matching the worker’s full salary during their recovery period.

Unlike standard sick leave for common illnesses, this benefit does not require a minimum contribution period. This means that even workers with little or no prior Social Security contributions are fully covered if they become living donors. The law’s intent is clear: no one should face financial hardship for making a decision that could save or improve another person’s life.

Comprehensive Coverage The scope of the benefit extends beyond the day of surgery. It covers all medically necessary days before the operation, including preparation and hospital admission, as well as the entire recovery period until the donor is officially discharged. Payment begins from the very first day of leave and is managed by the relevant Social Security entity—whether the INSS, ISM, or an authorized mutual insurance partner.

Additionally, the reform updates the Workers’ Statute to allow employees to take paid time off for essential preparatory procedures related to organ or tissue donation, provided these must occur during working hours. This ensures that donors are not forced to choose between their health, their job, and their willingness to help others.

Spain’s Commitment to Donation Spain has long been recognized as a global leader in organ donation and transplantation. According to the National Transplant Organization, 2025 saw 6,335 organ transplants performed in the country, with 2,547 deceased donors and 408 living donors of kidneys or partial livers. The deceased donor rate reached 51.9 per million inhabitants, underscoring the country’s strong culture of solidarity.

Until now, the level of financial protection for living donors often depended on collective bargaining agreements or voluntary company supplements. The new law standardizes this support nationwide, removing uncertainty and reinforcing Spain’s commitment to supporting those who make such a significant contribution to public health.

Wider Context and Related Protections The duration of the special sick leave is not fixed; it lasts as long as the donor requires medical care and is unable to work, with the end date determined by medical discharge. This flexible approach recognizes the varied recovery times associated with different types of donations and individual health circumstances. ... By guaranteeing full salary coverage and removing bureaucratic barriers, Spain aims to ensure that no one is discouraged from becoming a living donor due to financial concerns. The reform strengthens the country’s reputation for both medical excellence and social solidarity.