Schools closed due to alert situation: can parents miss work without losing pay?

Schools and non-essential public services nationwide are closed on Wednesday 11 November 2026 due to weather conditions caused by the Charles depression. Under Article 249 of the Labour Code, parents who must stay home to care for minors due to the closure can justify their absence without loss of salary, provided they communicate it to their employer.

Why it matters

If you are a parent and need to stay home because your child's school is closed on Wednesday 11 November 2026, you are entitled to justify your absence without losing pay; prioritize telework if possible, notify your employer in writing, and keep proof of the situation.

SIC Notícias· 10h agoRead original ↗

Useful?

This update is from Bica

Your quick shot of what's changing in Portugal and affecting your status, your home, your money, and whatever might disrupt your day. Short and clear updates, gathered from Portuguese sources.

It's free, with no signup and no app to download.

Read today’s briefing

Related updates

Labor & Taxes

Schools closed due to strikes: what happens if you have to miss work?

Upcoming strikes in the education sector (October 6–9 and October 19) may cause school closures. While Portuguese law does not explicitly grant a paid leave for school strikes, the organization DECO PROteste advises that parents of children under 12 (or children with disabilities/chronic illness of any age) may justify their absence if no other care is available. Workers should inform their employer in advance, seek alternatives like remote work, and be prepared to submit proof of the school closure and their family circumstances within 15 days.

SIC Notícias· 1mo agoRead original ↗

Useful?

Labor & Taxes

Do I have a justified absence if I miss work due to Storm Charles? Yes, but there is a 'but'

Employment lawyer Gonçalo Caro explains that workers can have a justified absence during a state of alert, such as the one declared for Storm Charles, provided they can prove the impossibility of reaching their workplace due to the severe weather conditions.

CNN Portugal· 4h agoRead original ↗

Useful?

Labor & Taxes

School strikes: are parents entitled to paid leave when they miss work?

While the Labor Code does not explicitly list school strikes as a valid reason for absence, legal experts and consumer organizations argue that parents may justify their absence to provide childcare for children under 12 (or those with disabilities/chronic illnesses). If no other caregiver is available, such absences can be considered justified and remunerated under the legal obligation of child assistance, provided the employee submits a declaration stating that the other parent is unavailable.

SIC Notícias· 4w agoRead original ↗

Useful?

Practical alerts

See all →

Media-reported alerts

Depression Charles postpones football matches and forces indoor venues to close to the public · Observador · 43m ago
Porto encampment requests postponement of meeting with the President to Friday due to depression Charles · Observador · 1h ago
Charles: SNS recommends reinforcement of emergency services · Observador · 1h ago
Montenegro: "Do not underestimate the risk" of storm Charles · Observador · 1h ago

Live official alerts

Red and orange rain warnings, Tuesday to Wednesday
Red warningIPMA· 22 districts· until Wed 21:00
Red, orange and yellow wind warnings, Tuesday to Wednesday
Red warningIPMA· 17 districts· until Wed 21:00

See all live official alerts

About Bica

Your quick shot of what's changing in Portugal and affecting your status, your home, your money, and whatever might disrupt your day. Short and clear updates, gathered from Portuguese sources.

It's free, with no signup and no app to download.

More about Bica →

Feedback and corrections are welcome: hello@bica.now