Legislation will also ban conversion therapy, introduce menstrual leave and ease abortion limits

Spain’s parliament has approved new legislation that will allow anyone over 16 to change their legally registered gender, ease abortion limits for those aged 16 and 17, and make the country the first in Europe in Europe to introduce paid menstrual leave.

The new transgender law – which was passed despite protests from feminist groups, warnings from opposition parties, and amid tensions between different wings of the Socialist-led coalition government – means that anyone aged over 16 will be able to change their gender on official documents without medical supervision.

However, a judge will need to authorise the change for minors aged between 12 and 14, while those aged between 14 and 16 will need the consent of their parents or guardians. No such changes will be available to those under the age of 12.

The law will also see a ban on conversion therapy – punishable by hefty fines – and an end to public subsidies for groups that “incite or promote LGBTIphobia”.

The new abortion legislation does away with a a 2015 measure, introduced by the conservative People’s party (PP), which requires women aged 16 and 17 to obtain parental consent for abortions. It also scraps the current three-day period of reflection for those seeking a termination, and aims to make it far easier for women to access abortion in public hospitals and clinics.

Thursday’s vote introduces up to five days of menstrual leave for women who have incapacitating periods. According to the Spanish Gynaecological and Obstetric Society, a third of women experience dysmenorrhoea, or painful menstruation. Accompanying measures include the free provision of free sanitary products in schools, prisons and women’s centres to tackle “period poverty”.

Spain’s equality minister, Irene Montero, began her speech to congress on Thursday by thanking Spain’s LGBTQ+ community and trans collectives for helping to get the law passed – and for “saving many lives” in the absence of government intervention.

Montero, who belongs to the Socialists’ junior coalition partners, the far-left, anti-austerity Podemos partner, said the new law was about the state guaranteeing basic rights.

“This is a law that recognises trans people’s right to freely decide their gender identity, she said. “It stops trans realities being treated as abnormalities. Trans people aren’t sick people; they’re people – full stop. They are who they are – full stop. Trans women are women – full stop. From today, the state recognises that.”