Leisure for retirees: clubs, programmes and discounts

Terms used

• DNI — The DNI is the national identity card of Spanish citizens.
• Hogar del jubilado — The hogar del jubilado is a local senior centre offering social activities, classes and outings for older people.
• Centro de mayores — The centro de mayores is another name for a senior centre, often run by a town or region.
• Empadronado — Being empadronado means you are registered as living at an address in your town's municipal register.
• NIE — The NIE is the identification number Spain gives to foreigners.
• IMSERSO — IMSERSO is the state body for older people that runs the subsidised travel and spa programmes.
• Tarjeta Dorada — The Tarjeta Dorada is a Renfe card giving older passengers about 40 percent off train fares.
• Día del espectador — The día del espectador is a weekly day when cinemas sell tickets at a reduced price.

Key rules

• Residence: For senior centres and IMSERSO programmes, you need to be a legal resident, and centres usually want you registered at a local address.
• Nationality: Being foreign does not normally exclude you from senior centres, programmes or discounts.
• Proof: Carry photo ID showing your date of birth; a passport usually works.
• Local rules: Each region, town and venue sets its own age limits and criteria, so confirm before you go.

The short version

If you are a legal resident and registered at an address in Spain, you can usually use senior centres, subsidised programmes and discounts. Nationality is not normally a barrier. Age, residence and sometimes pension status are. Each region, town and venue sets its own rules, so confirm locally before you go.

Senior centres

A hogar del jubilado (also called a centro de mayores) is a local club for older people. It offers cards, classes, outings, a café and social events.

• Age: usually 60 or older. Some regions use 65. Some centres admit pensioners from 55.
• Residence: you normally need to be registered (empadronado) in the municipality. Some regional public networks also require legal residence.
• How to join: apply at the centre, or through the regional social services. Foreign residents show their NIE or residence card.
• Spouses: often admitted too.
• Cost: membership is free or cheap. Activities usually carry a fee.

Ask at your town hall which centres are near you. The documents list below shows what to bring.

Subsidised holiday and spa programmes

IMSERSO runs two state programmes at subsidised prices that you pay for yourself: Seniors Travel (Turismo para mayores) and Thermal Spa (Termalismo). Both are open to people who are legally resident in Spain, foreigners included. They are not for non-residents.

Seniors Travel. You qualify in one of these ways:

• You are a Spanish social security pensioner (retirement or widow's/survivor's pension) aged 65 or over.
• You are a pensioner aged 55 or over in some categories.
• You are aged 60 or over and not a pensioner.

A spouse or partner may travel with you. A foreign applicant must show legal residence and the relevant pension.

Thermal Spa. The age rules are similar. You also need a medical need for the treatment.

Applications are made in an annual call, through IMSERSO or your regional body. Conditions are set in each call and can change, so read the current call before you apply.

Senior discounts

Many places give older people a reduced price. Typical discounts are 30 to 50 percent. Look for them at:

• museums, theatres and leisure venues (many state museums are free to seniors or on certain days)
• cinemas, where the weekly día del espectador is also common
• public transport, where regional passes often give discounts or free travel from 65
• trains: Renfe's Tarjeta Dorada gives about 40 percent off for people aged 60 or over, foreigners included

The usual age threshold is 65, and some venues use 60. Some local discounts are limited to residents or registered members.

Proof to carry

Bring photo ID that shows your date of birth. A passport, DNI or NIE/residence card all work, and foreigners can usually use a passport. Some venues ask for a pensioner card as well, or instead.

If you are unsure, ask at the ticket desk before you queue. Your town hall's social services office can tell you what applies locally.

Documents you need

• Your NIE or residence card, to join a senior centre (hogar del jubilado) as a foreign resident.

• Proof that you are registered (empadronado) at an address in the municipality, which most centres ask for.

• Photo ID showing your date of birth, such as a passport, DNI or NIE/residence card, to claim senior discounts at museums, cinemas and shows.

• A pensioner card, which some venues ask for instead of or besides ID.

Frequently asked questions

Can foreign retirees join IMSERSO holidays and spa programmes?

Yes, foreign retirees can join IMSERSO holidays and spa programmes if they are legally resident in Spain and meet the pension and age conditions. For the travel programme you usually need a Spanish social security retirement or survivor's pension and to be 65 or over, though some people aged 55 or 60 and over qualify. The spa programme also needs a medical need, and your spouse or partner may travel with you.

Do I need to be a pensioner to join the IMSERSO travel programme?

No, you do not always need to be a pensioner, because people aged 60 or over who are not pensioners can also apply for the travel programme. Pensioners of the Spanish system are usually 65 or over, or 55 or over in some categories.

Can I get a senior rail discount as a foreigner?

Yes, Renfe's Tarjeta Dorada, which gives about 40 percent off train fares, is open to foreigners aged 60 or over. Some regional transport passes also give discounts or free travel from 65. Bring your passport or residence card as proof of age.