The non-contributory disability pension (pensión no contributiva) with no contributions

Key rules

• Disability degree: You need a recognised disability degree of at least 65%.
• Residence: You need 5 years living in Spain, 2 of them consecutive and immediately before applying.
• Where to apply: Apply through your region's social services, not the INSS.
• Moving abroad: Time in other EU countries does not count, and the pension is not paid abroad.

Can you get it?

You can claim this pension without any work history if you meet three tests: long legal residence in Spain, a disability of at least 65%, and income below the limit. You must also be aged 18 to 65. All three tests apply at the same time.

Residence test

You must be legally resident in Spain and have lived here for 5 years. Of those, 2 must be consecutive and immediately before the date you apply.

Only time in Spain counts. Years lived in another EU country are not added up, whatever your nationality. The pension is also not paid if you move abroad. If you think a special treaty applies to you, ask the regional body that handles your claim.

Disability test

You need a recognised disability degree of at least 65%. The degree comes from an official assessment of your disability, so you need that recognition in place for your claim.

If your degree is 75% or more and you need another person's help with basic daily activities, you get a supplement of 50% of the pension.

Income test

Your own income must be below the full annual amount of the pension. That amount is set every year in the State Budget, so it changes. Check the current figure with the regional body or IMSERSO before you apply.

If you live with relatives of the first or second degree, the limit is raised according to the number of people in the household. It is higher again if those relatives are your parents or children. If you have some income, the pension is reduced to fit, not refused outright.

Where to apply

Regional bodies run this pension, not the national social security office (INSS). Each autonomous community's social services department receives and manages claims. In Ceuta and Melilla, IMSERSO does it. The Basque Country and Navarre have their own rules and bodies.

You can file at the regional office or at your municipal social services. Office names and routes differ by region, so ask your town hall's social services where to start.

The comparison and the FAQ below show how this pension differs from contributory incapacity benefits and answer common questions.

Contributory incapacity and non-contributory pensions compared

Pick the contributory route if you have worked and paid into Spain's social security. Pick the non-contributory route if you have little or no work record and a low income.

How to choose

• You have worked in Spain, even for a few years. Start with the contributory route. Ask the social security office whether your record is enough. The amount usually depends on your work history, so it can be higher.
• You have never worked in Spain, or your record is too short. Go to the non-contributory route. It does not depend on contributions.
• You are unsure. Ask both offices. A refusal on one route does not stop you applying for the other.

What to watch for

• The two pensions are run by different offices with different forms, so one application does not cover both.
• Non-contributory rules and processes vary by region. Check the details with your regional social services office.
• The exact amounts and income limits change over time. They are set out in the main page on the non-contributory pension, so check the current figures there before you decide.

Frequently asked questions

Do years I lived in another EU country count towards the residence requirement?

No, only legal residence in Spain counts towards the residence requirement for this pension. Periods in other EU states are not added up, because this kind of benefit is paid only in the country where you live. For the same reason, the pension cannot be paid if you move abroad.

Where do I file a non-contributory pension application?

You file it with the social services department of your region, or at your municipal social services. In Ceuta and Melilla the IMSERSO handles it. The Basque Country and Navarre have their own rules and bodies, and the social security office (INSS) does not handle these applications.

What is the income limit for the non-contributory disability pension?

Your own income must be below the full annual amount of the pension, which is set each year in the State Budget. If you live with relatives, the limit is raised depending on how many people are in the household, and it is higher if they are your parents or children. Ask your regional office for this year's figure.

Can I get extra money on top of the non-contributory disability pension?

Yes, you get a supplement of 50% of the pension if your disability is 75% or more and you need another person's help with basic daily activities. This applies to people aged 18 to 65 who already qualify for the pension.