What is the Ingreso Mínimo Vital (IMV)?

The IMV is Spain's national minimum income scheme, launched in June 2020. It provides €470–€1,350/month depending on household composition and income, for people and families in poverty. You must be registered on the municipal census (padrón), be between 23-65 years old (or 18+ if a single parent), and have had your income below the IMV threshold for the previous year.

How does SEPE unemployment benefit work in Spain?

The SEPE (Servicio Público de Empleo Estatal) unemployment benefit pays 70% of your regulatory base for the first 180 days, then 60% for the remaining period. Maximum duration is 24 months. You must have contributed for at least 360 days in the last 6 years and have lost your job involuntarily.

How do I apply for a MEC university scholarship in Spain?

MEC scholarships (Becas de Educación) from the Ministry of Education are awarded annually. Applications open in the spring via the becaseducacion.gob.es portal. Eligibility depends on family income thresholds and academic performance. Amounts range from variable tuition exemptions up to €6,000/year for the full grant.

What child benefits are available in Spain?

The Prestación Familiar por Hijo a Cargo provides child benefit for low-income families with children under 18 (or with disabilities at any age). The amount and eligibility criteria are means-tested. Apply through the IMSERSO website or your local social security office. Higher amounts apply for families with disabled children.

Aides sociales en Europe

Social Benefits in Spain 2026

Spain operates a Mediterranean (familialist) welfare system. Key benefits include the IMV minimum income, SEPE unemployment insurance, MEC scholarships and family child benefit. Currency: EUR.

€470–1 350 IMV / mois

70 % SEPE taux initial

24 mois SEPE durée max

6 000 € Beca MEC max/an

Check my eligibility →

L'IMV est géré par la Sécurité Sociale (Seguridad Social). Les Communautés Autonomes complètent souvent ces aides par des dispositifs régionaux. Montants 2026.

Prestaciones sociales — barèmes 2026

Aide	Catégorie	Montant (EUR)	Fréquence	Organisme	Conditions principales	Source officielle
Ingreso Mínimo Vital (IMV)	Revenus / Emploi	470 – 1 350 €	Mensuel	IMSERSO / Seguridad Social	Résidence en Espagne Revenus sous le seuil IMV Inscrit sur le padrón municipal	seg-social.es
Prestación por Desempleo (SEPE)	Chômage	0 – 2 800 €	Mensuel	SEPE	Résidence en Espagne Cotisations 360 jours / 6 ans Chômage involontaire	sepe.es
Beca de Estudios (MEC)	Jeunesse / Étudiant	0 – 6 000 €	Annuel	Ministerio de Educación	Résidence en Espagne Étudiant en université Revenus parentaux sous seuil	becaseducacion.gob.es
Prestación Familiar por Hijo a Cargo	Famille	0 – 1 200 €	Annuel	IMSERSO	Résidence en Espagne Enfant de moins de 18 ans Revenus sous le seuil	imserso.es

Questions fréquentes sur les aides sociales en Espagne

What is the Ingreso Mínimo Vital (IMV)?

The IMV is Spain's national minimum income scheme, launched in June 2020. It provides €470–€1,350/month depending on household composition and income. Single adults receive the minimum; larger households with dependent children receive up to the maximum.

You must be registered on the municipal census (padrón), aged 23–65 (or 18+ if a single parent), and have had income below the IMV threshold for the previous year. Apply via the Seguridad Social website or your nearest INSS office.
How does SEPE unemployment benefit work in Spain?

The SEPE unemployment benefit pays 70% of your regulatory base for the first 180 days, then 60% for the remaining period. Maximum duration is 24 months. You must have contributed for at least 360 days in the last 6 years and lost your job involuntarily.

Apply within 15 working days of losing your job at the nearest SEPE office or online at sepe.es. Late application results in proportional reduction of entitlement.
How do I apply for a MEC university scholarship in Spain?

MEC scholarships from the Ministry of Education are awarded annually. Applications open in spring via becaseducacion.gob.es. Eligibility depends on family income thresholds and academic performance.

The full grant can reach up to €6,000/year and covers tuition fees, travel costs and a living allowance component. Students in public universities are given priority.
What child benefits are available in Spain?

The Prestación Familiar por Hijo a Cargo provides child benefit for low-income families with children under 18 (or with disabilities at any age). The amount is means-tested; higher amounts apply for families with disabled children.

Apply through the IMSERSO website or your local Seguridad Social office. Several Autonomous Communities (Comunidades Autónomas) also offer supplementary regional benefits — check your local social services for additional entitlements.