What happens to your Spanish contributions if you leave Spain

Key rules

• No refund: Spanish contributions are generally not paid back when you leave.
• Unemployment benefit: You can take it to another EU, EEA or Swiss country for three months, if you get document U2 before you leave.
• Pension: Contributory pensions can be paid abroad, but non-contributory pensions and minimum supplements cannot.
• Non-EU moves: Unemployment benefit is generally suspended if you move outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland.

Your contributions are not refunded

Spanish contributions are generally not paid back when you leave. They stay on your record. They can count later towards a pension or other benefits, and some benefits can be exported.

Your contribution years still count

Your Spanish contribution periods stay on file. If you later work in another EU country, or in a country with a Spanish agreement (such as the US, Canada and Latin American countries), they can be added to your periods there. This is called totalization. It can help you reach the minimum needed for a pension.

Unemployment benefit

If you get Spanish contributory unemployment benefit (prestación contributiva), you can take it to another EU, EEA or Swiss country while you look for work. It is paid for three months. SEPE can extend this up to six months at its discretion.

To qualify:

• Be registered as a jobseeker with SEPE for at least four weeks before you leave.
• Ask SEPE for the portable document U2 before you leave.
• Register as a jobseeker in the new country within seven days.

If you move outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland, the benefit is generally suspended when you leave Spain, unless an agreement says otherwise. Some Ibero-American cases are exceptions, so ask SEPE before you go.

Pensions

Spanish contributory pensions (retirement, permanent disability, widow's and orphan's) can be paid abroad. In the EU, EEA and Switzerland this is guaranteed, and the pension is paid in your new country. For other countries, it depends on the agreement with Spain, so check your country's agreement.

Non-contributory pensions and minimum supplements are tied to living in Spain. You cannot take them with you.

If you receive a Spanish pension abroad, you must send an annual proof of life certificate.

The timeline, documents and questions below cover the steps in more detail.

Timeline and deadlines

• Be registered as a jobseeker with SEPE: at least 4 weeks before you leave Spain

• Ask SEPE for the portable document U2: before you leave Spain

• Register as a jobseeker in the new country: within 7 days of leaving Spain

• Receive your Spanish unemployment benefit while you look for work: for 3 months, extendable up to 6 months by SEPE

Documents you need

• Portable document U2, issued by SEPE (the Spanish unemployment office). Ask for it before you leave Spain if you want to take your unemployment benefit to another EU, EEA or Swiss state.

• Annual proof of life certificate, which you send if you receive a Spanish pension while living abroad.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take my Spanish unemployment benefit to another EU country?

Yes, you can take Spanish contributory unemployment benefit to another EU, EEA or Swiss state for three months while you look for work, but only if you meet the conditions. The Spanish unemployment office (SEPE) can extend this up to six months. For non-EU destinations the benefit is generally suspended when you leave Spain.

Do my Spanish contribution years still count if I move to another country?

Yes, your Spanish contribution periods stay on record and can be added to periods in other EU states. They also count with countries that have an agreement with Spain, such as the US, Canada and Latin American countries.