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Claiming Spanish Benefits in Spain

Claiming Spanish Benefits in Spain

The social security system in spain is similar to the UK. You pay your contributions every month, and that entitles you to a pension, unemployment benefit, sick pay, maternity pay and the right to receive free healthcare. The amount of pension or benefit you receive depends on the level of contributions you have made in the past.

When you contract to any position in spain your employer is required to register you in the social security system and to deduct any contributions payable by you from your wages (check your wage slip to make sure that this has been done!). You will need to obtain your NIE number first. But beware! Many small businesses pay some or all their staff cash in hand so they will not be eligible for social security benefits, including health care. Other employers may register you, but claim you are working less hours than you actually are, thus saving themselves some money in contributions. In this situation you will still be eligible for health care, but if you become unemployed or have to take sick leave, your benefits will be much lower than you should actually be entitled to.

Obviously you may not have much of a choice as to who you work for, but we would strongly recommend that you do not work cash-in-hand.

If you are self-employed (autonomo) then this information is provided under our 'Registering a Small Business' section - Alternatively if you are already regsitered in the UK system you can work in spain for up to 2 years, and you will still be entitled to spanish healthcare. See the UK's Department for Work and Pensions website for details.

If you have been employed in spain for 6 months and you lose your job, you will generally be entitled to spanish unemployment benefit. If you are employed or self-employed, you will also be entitled to sick pay, maternity pay and, when you retire, a pension. All benefits are paid at variable rates depending on the level of your contributions. If you have been paying minimum social security contributions the amount you will receive in benefits is currently around 750 EUR per month.

Comment on this Article

 

If you will have a legal job here in Spain and be making all the correct contribution then there is no real need for you to transfer your taxes until you are about to start claiming your pension. You and your family will automatically be eligible to free state healthcare as soon as you start making your contributions.

However, there are very few benefit payments exportable from the UK to Spain, and nothing that you will be entitled to claim from the Spanish government either.

C Timpson - Mon, 30th Jan 2012
Please can you confirm is there any money we could claim for our 2 chilrdren when we move to spain. I have a permenant spanish job and my wife is leaving her 3 year post to move to a new country. Is all our tax contributions able to transfer over to spain or not?
Graeme Robertson - Mon, 30th Jan 2012

Gary :

1) You need to complete the "Application for Survivor's Benefits" form and submit the necessary documentation with it (Downloadable online)

2) You should submit the completed fom to any INSS office here in Spain (By post is fine - probably best to post it to the office closest to where you wife worked here in Spain)

3) You can apply for this benefit anytime after a Spouses death, but payments can only be backdated by a maximum of 3 months.

..... Let me know if you need anything else.

Tumbit - Admin - Mon, 26th Dec 2011
Paul - This sitaution is getting alot frustrating that I have been told by several lawyers that I am entitled to benefits. However, where do I call or submitt the appliaction? I am living in the USA (spanish citizen) and she was working in spain. would you happened to know where and who I call?
Gary Alexander - Sat, 24th Dec 2011
Maggie : The DWP usually make contact with you around 6 months before you are due to claim your first Pension to make sure that your details are all in order (Basically so all parties agree on the value of the pension). As soon as you move back to the UK you should call them to give them your new contact details AND also to ensure that the contributions you made in Spain are combined with your UK contribtions. However - It may be a good idea to speak with the International Pensions Dept of the DWP BEFORE you make any further decisions.
Tumbit - Admin - Fri, 23th Dec 2011
I paid into the system for nearly 5 years as autonomo - got a years sick pay, then nothing. I reach english retirement age in November next year. What would happen if we went back to England ?
Maggie Howard - Thu, 22st Dec 2011

S.Thornton : Frsutrating I know, but there is little else that you can do here other than to chalk it down to experience.

Maggie : Unless you or your husband were already claiming some kimnd of benefit before you left the UK you will be unable to make any new claim from Spain ( Excluding your state pension). Have either of you contributed into the Spanish state system at all ?

Tumbit - Admin - Thu, 22st Dec 2011
Help! : We have no savings left because of a bad business venture which would take years & loads of money to get anything back through the courts. we are now suffering financially as no work (I am sick) does anyone know if my husband can claim anything from England even if we are living in Spain, he paid into the system for 35 years before we moved to Spain 10 years ago.
Maggie Howard - Tue, 20th Dec 2011
Gary - It is my understanding that you are entitled to claim a Widowers Pension (assuming your wife made all the correct contibution) for the rest of your life, or until you either remarried or found a new common law partner.
Paul Bennett - Tue, 20th Dec 2011
Paul- If this is the case, she paid into the system, would you happen to know how long I would collect the benefits for?
Gary - Tue, 20th Dec 2011
I have a fijo contract and pay correct contributions for my job. I was off sick for 5 days but too ill for the first 2 to go and get a baja from doctor then it was weekend so my baja was only for a day doctor wouln't back date it and my employer is now deducting 4 days pay from my next months salary but only took half a day from the month I was ill
S.thornton - Mon, 19th Dec 2011
the company did not deduct anything from my pay all they did was make false promises and when it has suited them layed me off. also when it suited them to have holidays they close the company and decided that the staff would not be paid for that time, but of course they still receive their pay..
Maria - Sun, 18th Dec 2011
Maria, if neither you or your employer were not making any declared contributions and you did not have a legal contract, then you were both breaking the law. Taking your employer to court make end up getting you both a fine, but I would be surprised if you would come away from court with any compensation !
Mr Grumpy - Sun, 18th Dec 2011
Gary, you are entitled to a Spanish widower's pension if your wife contributed into the system for a minimum of 500 days in the 5 years before her passing (which if waived if death was due to an accident) You are entitled to claim 60% of the pension that would have been paid to your wife had she still been alive. The pension stops if you should ever re-marry, but if so you are given a single payment of 24 months pension if this happens. This is also the case if you begin co-habiting with a common-law spouse.
Paul Bennett - Sun, 18th Dec 2011
Are you stating that if my wife made contributions and I did not, then I will beable to collect widower benefits?
Gary - Sat, 17th Dec 2011
Maria : You don't say if you had any social security deductions from your salary or not, and if so how much. If you can prove that you have made these payments, then you will be entitled to claim redundancy and severage pay from your employer. If no payments were made, then no, you won't be able to claim anything.
Tumbit - Admin - Sat, 17th Dec 2011
No, the company have not paid any contributions into the spanish social security system, and I know that I will not been able to claim anything from social secuirty but what about from the company, they have been transfereing my pay into my bank account but it only shows as a transfer not as wages. Can I take to company to court to get compansation for the dismissal?
Maria - Sat, 17th Dec 2011
Ryno : Unless you have made any contributions into the Spanish Social Security system, you will not be able to claim anything at all.
Tumbit - Admin - Sat, 17th Dec 2011
Gary : As a Spanish citizen your entitlement to benefits will be exactly the same as any native born Spaniard, however you should contact your nearest INSS office as soon as possible to find out the nature of what you can claim and how much you are entitled to.
Tumbit - Admin - Sat, 17th Dec 2011
I started working for a company in spain in April 2010, they promised to do a contract but after all this time there has never been a contract, but now I am been laid off, what can I do ? Am I entitled to some kind of payment from the company or could I take it to court ?
Maria - Sat, 17th Dec 2011
How do I claim benefits in Spain whilst living here as I am still looking for work ?
Ryno Stan - Wed, 7th Dec 2011
I had an unfornate incident two weeks ago. My wife died in Spain. We are both Spanish citizens. I aquired the citizenship through marriage many years ago. what benefits am I entitled to and how to do I go about receiving them?
Gary Alexander - Mon, 5th Dec 2011
I have been on a 6 month contract at full indefinido 40 hr per week and may be made redundant. I have only been a resident though for 4 months. i was originally on a 10 hour contract and working black but the authoritys made my boss backdate by 6 months my contributions as a 40 hr contract. will i be entitled to any benefit and how much would it be. thanks for your help
Suzanne - Sat, 12th Nov 2011
Michael, so long as you have been paying social security payments regularly you should be entitled to some kind of income support which is paid into your nominated bank account. You might also be able to include social security payments made in the UK into the calculations. You will need to sign on in person, but repeat signings are generally random in date. When you sign on, you will be sent a chip & pin card with a USB device allowing you to do this online, however they will do random spot checks meaning you will need to go in person on occasion.
The Equalizer - Tue, 18th Oct 2011
Hi I've been working as a bar manager on a full time year contract with all social security paid. My contract is up in march and I don't think it will be renewed am I entitled to a finacito? And also I was considering travelling for a year will I still be able to claim the unemployment pay I'm entitled to? Will it go directly in to my account or will I have to be there to sign on every month ?
Michael Dobinson - Tue, 18th Oct 2011
I used to work in a hostital Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane WA.Before of that I worked as a housekeeper in 2 differentes places, so I was empleyee I think it was almost 17 Year? I became disable and I get a Pension from USA, that flactuate depending in how is the $ Vs Eureo. I do not work in any palace under the table or nothing like that. My best regards to whom it may concern.
Rafaela Espinosa Gonzalez - Sat, 19th Mar 2011
I work in spain for an english company, we have 30 days holiday what they call natural days. If I have a holiday monday to friday they include saturday and sunday which are my days off as holiday so if I start work on Monday I lose 7 days not 5 as holiday is this right.
Christine Cox - Fri, 18th Mar 2011
Hi there, my grandad, is suffering with pulmonary fibrosis, the hospital have said there is no cure and a lung transplant is not an option as he has a pacemaker fitted, anyway he has taken a turn for the worse and now needs a carer as my nan is very ill herself, they both pay volentary into the spanish system, have lived there for 11 years, can they get any help?, with either funding for a carer or equipment as he will now need a hoist and bits, i have read about a new law that has been introduced in spain, 'lay de dependecia', but there was not uch info on there, please could you help or give me some guidance!!, Kind Regards Jay
Jay Poyser - Fri, 21st Jan 2011
Maggie, I sincerely wish you the best of luck. Your's is one ofthe cases that sickness benefit is supposed to be for. I bet you paid into the UK system for 30 years. Best wishes to you. Vicky
Victoria - Fri, 7th Jan 2011
Maggie, there are a few circumstances in which, being resident in Spain, you are able to claim Incapacity benefit from the UK. I would suggest that you contact the following to explain your circumstances and find out if this applies to you : International Pension Centre (IPC): 44 (0) 191 218 7122.
Tumbit - Admin - Thu, 6th Jan 2011
I live in Spain. I was self employed in Spain for 5 years and paid autonomous contributions. I was diagnosed with cancer 2 years ago & am depressed, I can't work as I get so tired. I am 60 years old this year and have no money as they stopped my sickness benefit last year, is it possible to receive any financial help from England re pensions etc, i would appreciate any advice.
Maggie Howard - Thu, 6th Jan 2011
Hi Sue, You need to go to your local INEM(unemployment office) ASAP. They will tell you what you need to take, i.e. agreements etc. Don't delay; if you need paperwork from people who may be unavailable in a few days, you need to find out ASAP. Delay could make you loose your entitlement. Re signing on, it's every 3 months. Vicky
Victoria - Wed, 29th Dec 2010
I have just been made redundant after working for a spanish company for over 6 years, I will need to claim el paro. Anyone know the procedure, and how often I will need to "sign on"
Sue Rance - Wed, 29th Dec 2010
A self-employed person can claim sick pay and maternity pay?? I have yet to meet anyone, Spanish or not who has managed to get this! If you are employed in Spain for six months you will receive around 750 a month unemployment pay?? Think your info needs reviewing and elaborating. This payment is earnings related and now for very little time. The recession has hit Spain as badly as the UK. I know plenty of people who have no choice but to work for less than 700 a month. Spain may even take away the 420 euros monthly "help" payment for people whose unemployment money has finished. So regarding your recommendation of not working cash-in-hand, with all due respect, come out into the real world! Tony, the only way you will get your rent paid is if you get a live-in job.
Victoria - Mon, 20th Dec 2010
Does the 750 eur include your rent, council tax water?
Tony Vines - Tue, 5th Oct 2010
I disagree with regards to the unemployment benefits. My employer (Husband) paid my S.S. contributions for over 8 years. The business had to close. When going to Umemployment Office i was told that i could not claim anything. Surely something is wrong here.
Lynn Stringer - Sun, 11th Jul 2010
My husband and I have worked all our lives, because the job my husband had was affecting his health we sold and moved to Spain as we could not longer afford to live in the UK. Unfortunately over the last 8 yrs we have now used all our saving as a consequence I applied for my husband as a dependant on my State Pension (many friends here are getting this for their spouses). The result was that he is not eligible because he has not received any benefits of any kind during his life. Because of this I applied for Pension Credit as my husband does not receive his pension until September of this year but this was refused also. I would be most grateful if anyone could let me know if there are any benefits we could receive. Many thanks.
B Hallisey - Sun, 13th Jun 2010
Barbara, continuing to pay UK contributions really depends upon how much you have paid into the UK system already, and how long you intend to stay in Spain for. I believe that at the moment the qualifying term is 30 years of paying into the system in order to be eligible for a UK Pension. If you inform the Pensions Service that you are working overseas I understand that the contributions are reduced. However, you could just choose not to pay any of these voluntary contributions.
Tumbit - Admin - Sat, 29th May 2010
Thanks, this is helpful. I'm currently working for employers who are paying some tax but no social security contributions. I've been working for them for nearly 9 months. Meanwhile the UK national insurance office wants me to pay some contributions as a self-employed person, I was a freelance journalist for about five months before arrive in Spain. I'm thinking I should pay the UK contributions even though I'm working in Spain!!
Barbara Buchanan - Fri, 28th May 2010
Rafaela, as a Spanish National I really don't know anything about how the law and procedures would apply to your case. I would suggest that you look at the Spanish Ministry website for more info - www.mir.es
Tumbit - Admin - Sun, 25th Apr 2010
Carole, at the moment the law concerning unemployment benefit for self emploted persons in Spain is in a state of transition.(see news article : http://www.tumbit.com/news/articles/1360-self-employed-workers-campaign-for-dole-rights.html), but the best person to discuss his induvidual claim with would be the Asesor who submits his quarterly Autonomo accounts.
Tumbit - Admin - Sun, 25th Apr 2010
My brother has been a self employed musician for various establishments without contract in Tenerife for over 20 years and has always paid self employment contributions. He is 61 years of age. His work has now dried up and he is without income. Can you tell me if he is entitled to any benefits, we keep hearing about being able to claim if he is over 52 years of age but can find no information. Manythanks
Carole Cox - Sat, 24th Apr 2010
I am not working because I am Disabled and almost 60 years old. I worked in the EEUU for many years at Sacred Heart Medical Center, Spokane, Wa. I was going to take The American Nationality, but I did'nt and remain a Spaniard. I have to go to The American Consulate in Madrid and they did all kind of tests. I am getting a very low Pension, for what I worked in The EEUU. Only once they pay me 500 E, the rest of the time I received under that amount. Maybe I should be getting a little bit more? I would apreciate it if someone could help me with that.
Rafaela E Gonzalez - Thu, 22st Apr 2010
Carla, It depends upon a number of issues such as : your nationality; where your children were born; if you have residencia or not etc... If you have NOT contributed into the system then you will be unlikely to be entitled to any unemployment benefit. Assuming that you are a UK citizen, and that you have made contributions in the past in the UK, then I would suggest that in the first instance you called the Job Centre on 44 800 055 6688 as they will be able to advise you best course of action.
Tumbit - Admin - Tue, 20th Apr 2010
Could anyone please tell me: If I have lived in Spain and supported myself and my children with my own money, and have now ran out of money but can't find any work, can I get any benefits from Spain? I have never contributed into the system, What can I do?
Carla - Mon, 19th Apr 2010

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