The Spanish social security department website has comprehensive information in English useful to all English-speaking people living in Spain.

• See Seguridad Social: Click here 

Qualifying for Social Security

Any person legally residing in Spain can benefit from the Spanish social security system if they fall into one of the following categories:

• Employed workers
• Self-employed workers
• Students
• Working partners in associated work co-operatives
• Civil servants or military personnel

Contributions to the social security system will begin as soon as employment begins. Employees pay a percentage of their salary towards:

• Illness
• Non-work-related injuries 
• Retirement 
• Maternity leave
• Work-related-injuries and occupational illness
• Overtime
• Unemployment 
• Wage Guarantee Fund 
• Occupational Training 

Obtaining a Social Security Affiliation Number

Any citizen or worker, either salaried or self employed is entitled to a social security number. Employers need to request a social security number for the person they is going to employ if that person does not already have one.

The following documents must be presented: 

• National Identification Document
• Resident card or passport
• The form TA1 (Social security application form)
  • To download form TA1: Click here

The application form and required documentation should be presented at the Administration of the Social Security Treasury General that corresponds to the applicant's private or business address, depending on the case. The maximum deadline to issue and notify a decision on the application is 45 days. After this period, the application is considered accepted.

The Social Security Number becomes an Affiliation number once work starts.

Health Care Benefits

Once a person is affiliated to the Social Security they will be issued with a document giving them the right to obtain medical assistance. With this document they can apply for a health card (tarjeta de seguridad social) at the corresponding health centre. Social security contributions cover approximately 75 percent of the cost of treatment, medicines and hospitalisation. The person will need to pay the remaining amount or take out supplementary health insurance. 

Any person who is not affiliated to the Spanish social security system will have to take out private health insurance and must present proof of their insurance when applying for a residence permit.

EU country benefits

A person who has paid regular social security contributions in another EU country for two full years before coming to Spain can benefit from public health cover for a limited period from the date of their last social security contribution made in the other EU country. To do this, it is necessary to obtain Form E106 and present it to the local Social Security office in Spain. Pensioners and those in receipt of invalidity benefits must obtain form E121 from their home country's social security administration.

Spanish Doctors and Hospitals

Those affiliated to Spanish social security will visit their health centre in their area of residence. They will be referred to a specialist if necessary, however there can be long waiting lists to see specialists and for non-urgent operations. In case of an emergency they will be sent directly to the hospital where they will be referred to a specialist. Present the social security card or proof of private insurance at the hospital.

Retirement and Pension Benefits

The Social Security retirement pension is a benefit given to all workers once they reach the age for ending active employment. The beneficiaries are all people affiliated with any Social security scheme who meet the requirements. These requirements are to have reached 65 years of age and a minimum contribution period of 15 years.

A retirement pension application form must be completed and presented along with the documents indicated on the application form. The application and required documentation must be submitted at any of the Social Security Information and Support Centres of the National Social Security Institute. Sea workers must submit it to the Provincial Offices of the Social Marine Institute (IMS).

• To download the retirement pension application form: Click here (in Spanish)

The retirement application may be submitted during the three months prior to or following the date employment ends and payment will be effective from the day after. If the application is submitted more than three months after the activity is terminated payment of the pension will begin with a maximum backdating of three months. The pension is paid monthly with two extra payments made with the June and November payments.

The retirement pension is terminated on the death of the pensioner.

Education Benefits

School insurance covers a student under the age of 28, from the third year of compulsory education (ESO) through to the third cycle at university. This covers school-related injury, illness or family misfortune, providing them with medical and pharmaceutical services and economic compensation as needed.

In order to be entitled to school insurance applicants must be:

• Spanish citizens or foreigners residing legally in Spain
• Under the age of 28
• Registered for the studies included in the insurance, and with the insurance fully paid up
• Able to justify one year of insurance (not necessary for benefits related to school injury, family misfortune and obstetrics or for students who have studied abroad)

Applicants must submit the school insurance application form and the personal documentation for each benefit as indicated on the application form. Necessary documents include: 

• National ID card or NIE for foreigners
• Certificate from the education centre for non-university students
• Proof of registration for university students 
• Specific documentation for each benefit.
• To download the school insurance application form: Click here 

The application form and documentation may be presented at any of the Social Security Information and Support Centres. Amounts vary depending on the benefit.

Recognition of the right to and payment of the benefits is decided by the Provincial Office of the National Social Security Institute (INSS) where the application was submitted. In the case of healthcare benefits, it is the responsibility of the Provincial Office of the INSS for the province in which the medical assistance was given.

Medical benefits must be requested prior to health care except in the case of school-related injury and medical emergencies.

Maternity Benefits

Maternity benefits begin from the day of giving birth or the date of the court decision on adoption or the administrative or court decision on fostering. The benefits can begin before giving birth, if it becomes necessary to begin maternity leave before the birth.

It is not necessary to submit an official form but it is advisable to use one. This is called the maternity, adoption or foster care application.

• To download the form: Click here

Other necessary paperwork includes: copies of the National Identity Document (DNI) or Residency Card, Tax Identification Number and documentation relative to contributions. Other specified documentation will be necessary depending on whether it is a natural birth, adoption or fostering.

The doctor at the Public Health Care service will give the corresponding maternity report to the mother who will give the original copy to her employer. If the mother is treated by a private doctor, they must issue a report to be submitted to the Public Health Care specialist who is the only one with the authority to issue the necessary maternity report. This report will be filled in and returned to the mother. Along with the personal documentation, the application for maternity benefits and maternity report are sent to the Management Centre of the National Social Security Institute (INSS) or the Provincial Office of the Social Marine Institute (ISM).

To be entitled to maternity benefits it is necessary to be affiliated or in a situation assimilated to affiliation, to have made contributions of 180 days within the five years immediately preceding the date of birth of the child or the beginning of the leave. In the case of part-time workers, only the contributions made on the basis of the number of hours worked shall be computed.

Duration of the benefits is 16 continuous weeks, except in the event of a premature birth or if the newborn must remain hospitalised after birth.

Unemployment Benefits

Unemployment benefits are paid if the claimant has contributed for a minimum period of 360 days over the last six years. The amount paid will depend on the amount of contributions made.  To apply for unemployment benefit it is necessary to register at the Spanish Institute for Employment (Instituto de Empleo). 

• Information on unemployment benefits for foreign workers legally residing in Spain: Click here (PDF)

Further Information

• Application forms for most benefits can be downloaded: Click here
• Spanish Institute for Employment
• Spanish Social Security

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