Do students, interns and trainees contribute to social security?

Terms used

• Alta — The alta is your registration with Social Security, which starts contributions on your behalf.
• Contrato formativo — The contrato formativo is a training contract that combines paid work with learning and always includes full social security registration.
• Convenio especial — The convenio especial is an agreement that lets you pay Social Security contributions yourself when you are not registered through an employer.
• Seguro escolar — The seguro escolar is a public insurance for students under 28 that covers accidents and some other risks.

Key rules

• Paid internship: If you are paid, you are registered and the time counts towards your contribution record.
• Unpaid internship: You are generally not registered, so the time usually does not count.
• Training contract: A contrato formativo always comes with full cover, including unemployment.
• Seguro escolar: It protects students under 28 but does not build a contribution record.

Paid internships count; unpaid ones generally do not

If you are paid, your internship creates a contribution record. Your host company registers you with Social Security (this is called the "alta") and pays contributions. Since 1 January 2024 the company pays these contributions for paid practices, and the time counts towards your contribution record.

If you are unpaid, you are generally not registered with Social Security. That means the time usually does not count towards your record.

Training contracts always count

A contrato formativo is a training contract. It always comes with full registration and full cover, including unemployment. If an employer offers you one, you are treated like any other registered worker for social security.

Unpaid internships: a way to pay in

Since the 2023 reform, people in unpaid training practices can sign up for a convenio especial. It lets you pay contributions yourself so the time can count. You pay a set base and rate. Eligibility, cost and deadlines have changed since 2023, and paying for past periods is limited. Ask Seguridad Social for the current figures before you commit, and do not assume you can pay for an old internship later.

School insurance for younger students

The seguro escolar is a public insurance for students under 28 in Spanish education, from the third year of ESO onward. That includes bachillerato, vocational training and university.

• It covers accidents, limited illness, the death of a family member, and unemployment of the family.
• It includes medical, surgical and pharmaceutical care.
• You pay a small fee when you enrol, around 1.12 euros in 2025.
• You or your family claim through your school or university.

The seguro escolar is not a contribution record. It protects you as a student but adds nothing to your working-life history.

The FAQ below answers common questions about paying later and about making a claim.

Frequently asked questions

Can I pay for an unpaid internship later so it counts?

Yes, a special agreement (convenio especial) lets people in unpaid training practices pay contributions themselves, but eligibility, cost and deadlines changed in 2023. The cost is a set base and rate, and going back in time is limited. Ask the Seguridad Social before you act.

Does the seguro escolar cover me if I am a student?

Yes, the seguro escolar covers students under 28 in Spanish education from the 3rd year of ESO onward, including bachillerato, vocational training and university. It covers accidents, limited illness, a death in the family and family unemployment, with medical, surgical and pharmaceutical care.

How do I make a claim under the seguro escolar?

You or your family claim through your education centre. Ask its administration office which forms to bring.