Paying voluntary contributions (convenio especial) to fill gaps

Key rules

• Deadline: For the general convenio especial, apply within 90 days of leaving your registration.
• Contribution history: You need at least 1,080 days of contributions in the previous 12 years.
• Cost: The monthly cost depends on your chosen base and the yearly rates, so ask the TGSS for the current figure.
• Other types: Other types of convenio especial have their own eligibility rules and rates.

Eligibility and monthly cost change with yearly rates, so confirm the current figures and your type with the TGSS before applying.

What a convenio especial is

A convenio especial is a voluntary agreement with Spain's Social Security. It lets you keep contributing, or get cover, when you are no longer working in the system. Types, eligibility, cost and timing vary, so first find which type fits you.

Main types

There is more than one type. Each has its own eligibility rules and its own rate. The main ones are for:

• People who have left the system altogether (the general convenio especial, covered below).
• People who have lost a job, including those aged 52 or over without a subsidy.
• Workers sent abroad, or working abroad for Spanish employers.
• People on unpaid leave, or caring for family members. Non-professional carers have their own version, and in some cases the State pays the contributions.
• Workers affected by collective redundancies, for example those aged 50 or over.
• People with a disability, and victims of gender violence or terrorism.
• Researchers, trainees, scholarship holders and people in international cooperation.

This list is not complete. If your situation is unusual, ask the Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social (TGSS) or the Instituto Nacional de la Seguridad Social (INSS) which type applies to you.

Who can use the general convenio especial

It is for people who are no longer registered in any Social Security scheme. You need:

• At least 1,080 days of contributions in the previous 12 years.
• To apply within 90 days of leaving your registration.

The 90-day window is short. Start the application soon after you stop working.

What it costs

You pay every month. The cost depends on the contribution base you choose and on the yearly rates. The base is generally the average base of your last 6 months of work. It must sit between the minimum and maximum bases, which are set every year. The rate is the common-contingencies rate applied to that base.

There is no single fixed figure. Ask the TGSS for the current amount before you commit.

What to do next

Follow the timeline below, then check the questions and answers for common doubts.

Timeline and deadlines

• Check you have contributed at least 1,080 days in the previous 12 years: before you apply

Frequently asked questions

Is there more than one type of convenio especial?

Yes, there are several types of convenio especial, and each has its own eligibility rules and rate. Besides the general one, there are versions for people who lost a job, work abroad, care for family members, have a disability or were affected by collective redundancies. Ask the Social Security office which one fits your case.

How much does the general convenio especial cost each month?

The monthly cost depends on the contribution base you choose and the yearly rates, so there is no single figure. The base is generally the average base of your last 6 months of work, kept between the yearly minimum and maximum. The rate is the common-contingencies rate applied to that base. Ask the Social Security treasury (TGSS) for the current amount.

Who can apply for the general convenio especial?

You can apply for the general convenio especial if you are no longer registered in any Social Security scheme and have contributed at least 1,080 days in the previous 12 years. If you are still registered in a scheme, this type does not apply to you.