The non-contributory retirement pension for people with short careers

Key rules

• Age: You must be 65 or over to claim.
• Residence: You need 10 years of legal residence in Spain after age 16, including the 2 years just before you claim.
• Where to apply: You apply through regional social services, not the INSS; in Ceuta and Melilla it is IMSERSO.
• Household income: Income of the people you live with counts toward the limit.

Who can get this pension

The non-contributory pension is a basic income for people aged 65 or over who have little or no income and not enough social security contributions for a normal retirement pension. You must meet all three conditions below.

The three conditions

Age. You must be 65 or over.

Residence. You must be a legal resident in Spain. You must also have lived in Spain for 10 years between age 16 and the date the pension is due. Two of those 10 years must be consecutive and immediately before you claim.

Income. You must not have enough income of your own. The income test is explained below.

How much you get

The amount is set every year in the national budget rules. In 2025 the full pension was about 7,250 euros a year, paid in 14 instalments. The income limit equalled that amount. The 2026 figure is higher because of the yearly revaluation.

• If your income is below the limit, you receive the difference. The minimum you can receive is 25% of the full pension.
• If you live with relatives, the income of the household counts. The income limit rises with the number of other members.
• The pension can be reduced if you live with relatives of certain degrees.

Ask for the current figures before you apply. The regional body or IMSERSO that pays the pension can give them to you.

Where to apply

The pension is not handled by the social security office (INSS). Where you apply depends on where you live:

• Most regions: the social services department of your regional government receives and manages the application. You can file at the regional office or at your municipal social services.
• Ceuta and Melilla: IMSERSO, the national social services agency, handles it.
• Basque Country and Navarre: they have their own rules and bodies. Ask there.

Office names and filing routes differ by region. Your town hall's social services can tell you the right office.

What to do first

1. Check that you have lived legally in Spain for the required period, including the last 2 years in a row.
2. Add up the income of everyone in your household.
3. Contact your local social services and ask for the current limits and the documents you need.

The questions below cover filing, residence, the amount and living with family.

Frequently asked questions

Where do I file a non-contributory retirement pension application?

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

How much is the non-contributory retirement pension and what is the income limit?

In 2025 the full pension was about 7,250 euros a year, paid in 14 instalments, and the income limit was the same amount. The 2026 figure is slightly higher because of the yearly revaluation. If your income is below the limit, you get the difference, with a minimum of 25% of the full pension.

Does living with family change my non-contributory pension?

Yes, household income counts, so living with other people can change what you get.