Law no. 32/2025 of 27 March was published to promote the rights of people with endometriosis and adenomyosis.
This law strengthens their access to health care and creates a regime of justified absences from work and classes, providing more effective support for people suffering from these pathologies during their menstrual period.
Among the main measures, the law ensures timely diagnosis through the creation of standards and technical guidelines to be implemented by the National Health Service (SNS). It also provides for the reimbursement of medicines to treat the disease and guarantees the right to preserve fertility through the cryopreservation of oocytes.
In terms of work and school, the law introduces a new article into the Labor Code that allows workers with disabling pain caused by these illnesses to miss up to three consecutive days a month during their menstrual period, without losing their rights. The regime also applies to school absences, forcing educational institutions to adapt their regulations.
Female workers must provide their employer (or in the case of students, the educational institution) with a medical prescription certifying endometriosis or adenomyosis with disabling pain, and it is not necessary to renew it every month.
The law comes into force 30 days after its publication, with regard to the absence regime, so from 26 April 2025, female workers will be able to take advantage of this regime.
Labour Department
Hugo Martins Braz | Mariana Lacueva Barradas | Catarina Almeida
