The unemployment subsidy (subsidio) when paro runs out or you lack contributions

Terms used

• Subsidio — The subsidio is a means-tested unemployment payment for people whose paro has run out or who lack enough contributions for it.
• Paro — Paro is contributory unemployment benefit, paid according to what you have paid into Social Security.
• SEPE — The SEPE is Spain's public employment service, which manages unemployment benefits.
• IPREM — The IPREM is a public income indicator, revised yearly, used to set the subsidio amount.

Key rules

• Income test: Both your own income and your family's income per person must stay under 75% of the minimum wage.
• Amount: The payment is a percentage of the IPREM and drops after month 6 and again after month 12.
• Registration: You must be registered as a jobseeker and sign the activity commitment in every case.

What the subsidio is

The subsidio is a lower, means-tested payment for unemployed people who cannot get paro or have used it up. Since 1 November 2024 the different subsidios sit inside one scheme. You get it only if your income and your family's income are low enough.

Who can claim

Whichever case you fall into, you must be unemployed, registered as a jobseeker and ready to sign the activity commitment. You must also pass the income test. The main cases are:

• You have exhausted paro.
• You did not contribute enough for paro, but you have at least 3 months of contributions (fewer if you have family responsibilities).
• You are an emigrant returning from the EU/EEA or from a country with an agreement with Spain.
• You have been released from prison.
• You have regained work capacity after an invalidity review.
• You are a victim of gender violence or sexual violence.
• You are 52 or over and have exhausted paro.

The exact list of cases and their details can change, so ask the SEPE which one fits you.

The income test

There are two checks:

• Your own monthly income must be below 75% of the minimum wage, not counting the share of extra payments.
• Your family's total income, divided by the number of family members, must not exceed 75% of the minimum wage.

Your family means your spouse or partner and your children under 26, disabled children or minors in your care. In some cases it includes your parents. The minimum wage changes every year, so ask the SEPE for the current figure before you apply.

How much it pays

The amount is linked to the IPREM, a public income indicator the Government revises each year. It falls over time:

• Months 1 to 6: 95% of the IPREM.
• Months 7 to 12: 90%.
• From month 13: 80%.

Family responsibilities do not change the percentage. As a guide, the monthly IPREM was 600 euros in 2025.

How long it lasts

Duration depends on your case.

• If you exhausted paro, it depends on your contribution period and family responsibilities. The usual maximum is up to 30 months.
• If you did not contribute enough for paro, it can last up to 6 months.

If you are 52 or over

If you are 52 or over, have exhausted paro and pass the income test, you can receive the subsidio until retirement age. The SEPE pays Social Security contributions for you during this time, at a higher base, so the period counts towards your pension. Ask the SEPE to confirm your pension conditions before you rely on this.

The timeline, checklist and questions below walk you through the steps and common doubts.

Timeline and deadlines

• Receive the subsidio at 95% of the IPREM: first 6 months

• Receive the subsidio at 90% of the IPREM: months 7 to 12

• Receive the subsidio at 80% of the IPREM: from the 13th month

• If you did not contribute enough for paro, the subsidio ends: after up to 6 months

• If you exhausted paro, the subsidio ends at its maximum duration: generally up to 30 months, depending on your contributions and family responsibilities

Checklist

• Check which case fits you: paro exhausted, too few contributions for paro, returning emigrant, release from prison, regained capacity after an invalidity review, victim of gender or sexual violence, or over 52.

• Divide your family's total income by the number of family members and check the result does not exceed 75% of the minimum wage.

• Ask the SEPE, Spain's public employment service, for the current minimum wage and IPREM figures.

• Work out your monthly amount: 95% of the IPREM for the first 6 months, 90% for months 7 to 12 and 80% from the 13th month.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get the subsidio if I never qualified for paro?

Yes, you can still claim the subsidio if you did not reach the minimum contributions for paro but have at least 3 months of contributions. The minimum can be lower if you have family responsibilities. You must also be registered as a jobseeker and pass the income test.

Does the subsidio pay the same amount for the whole time?

No, the subsidio falls over time: it pays 95% of the IPREM (a public income indicator set each year) in the first 6 months, 90% in months 7 to 12, and 80% from the 13th month. Having family responsibilities does not change these percentages.

Does the subsidio count towards my retirement if I am over 52?

Yes, if you are 52 or over, the months you receive the subsidio count towards your retirement, because the SEPE pays Social Security contributions on 125% of the minimum base.