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While Spanish social security receives significant State support, it is
essentially financed by the contributions made by employers and workers.
Monthly dues are paid in the form of a percentage of the contribution basis.
There are different contribution bases, with lower and upper limits for the
different groups into which the professional categories are classified. The
types of contribution normally vary each year.
In the general scheme, the contribution basis corresponds approximately to
the actual salary of the employed person. There is, however, a minimum limit,
equal to the minimum wage (SMI) in the case of full-time employment (reduced
proportionally for part-time workers), and a maximum limit, equal to slightly
more than five times the minimum wage.
Scheme Types
Spain’s social security system comprises two types of schemes:
- Contributory scheme: covers people who live or legally reside in
Spain, provided they are employed or self-employed within Spain.
- Non-contributory scheme: this Social Security system applies to all
Spaniards resident within Spain; Latin Americans, Portuguese, Brazilians,
Nationals of Andorra and the Philippines and nationals of other countries
covered by treaties, bilateral agreements or conventions.
The contributory level comprises: a general scheme covering all employed
persons not included in special schemes as well as some categories of civil
servants, and five special schemes for the agricultural sector, for mariners,
for self-employed persons, for domestic servants and for coal miners.
- Registration is compulsory: every worker is obliged to pay contributions to
the scheme corresponding to his or her field of activity. No-one can be
simultaneously insured under two schemes for one and the same occupation.
- Protection covers sickness and maternity benefits, invalidity benefits, old
age pensions, survivors' benefits, death grants, industrial accidents and
occupational diseases, unemployment and family benefits.
In order to receive health care you must be in possession of a health card
entitling you to social security medical treatment, which can only be provided
in social security health centres.
Last updated: 08/08
Source: European Union
© European Communities
Reproduction is authorised.
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