The European Commission has initiated a second infringement procedure against Spain for failing to fully implement the EU's work-life balance directive.

This directive mandates a paid parental leave for the last two weeks of the parental leave period, a requirement Spain has not yet incorporated into its national law.

The deadline for compliance was August 7, and failure to address this could lead to a European Court of Justice ruling and significant financial penalties.

Spain's Ministry of Labor estimates a potential fine of at least seven million euros.

The directive, approved in 2019, aims to ensure gender equality in the labor market by providing non-transferable, adequately paid parental leave.

Despite previous legal adjustments, Spain's compliance remains insufficient, prompting the European Commission to take further action.

The issue has sparked internal government tensions, with coalition partners urging immediate resolution despite budgetary constraints.