Canary Islands (IC)

The Canary Islands are Spain's Atlantic autonomous community: Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro and La Graciosa.

Capital: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Region: Europe

Language: Spanish

Currency: EUR (€)

Cost of living: Affordable (index 52)

Emergency: 112

Social Security in Canary Islands

Benefits, contributions, and how the system works for expats.

Spain operates one of the most comprehensive social security systems in Europe, administered by Seguridad Social (Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social — TGSS for contributions, INSS for benefits, SEPE for unemployment). Funded by employee + employer contributions (total ~36.55% of gross salary on employee side ~6.45%, employer ~29.9%, 2026 rates). Benefits include health (via SNS integration), pensions, unemployment, maternity/paternity, sick leave, permanent disability, and family benefits. As an expat, you are automatically enrolled once your employer files your Alta or when you register as autónomo. Non-EU expats enjoy the same benefits as Spaniards once contributing; withdrawal of contributions on departure only via totalización agreements.

Social Security Number

Número de Afiliación a la Seguridad Social (NUSS) / Número de la Seguridad Social

Obtain NUSS before starting work OR before alta as autónomo. Request online at sede.seg-social.gob.es using Cl@ve, certificado digital or SMS-verified form; in-person at any TGSS office with cita previa. Docs: passport/NIE/TIE + empadronamiento. Free. Issued same day online, 1–3 days in person. Employers cannot file your Alta without it. Autónomos also need it before Modelo TA.0521 alta.

Used for

Payslips and nóminas
Alta en Seguridad Social (employment registration)
Claiming paro (unemployment benefit)
Pension contributions and retirement claims
Prestación por Nacimiento y Cuidado de Menor (maternity/paternity benefit)
Incapacidad Temporal (sick leave benefit)
Registration with SNS Tarjeta Sanitaria Individual (health card)
Autónomo RETA registration

Benefits & Support Payments

Unemployment Benefit (Contributive)

Prestación contributiva por desempleo (paro)

Days 1–180: 70% of base reguladora. Days 181+: 60%. Minimum €560/month (2026); maximum €1,225/month (no dependants) to €1,575/month (2+ dependants). Base reguladora is average of last 180 days' contribution base.

Contribution-based unemployment benefit paid when you lose a job involuntarily. Pays a percentage of your base reguladora from last 180 days.

Eligibility

Min 360 days contribution in last 6 years. Must be involuntarily unemployed (despido, fin contrato, termination by mutual agreement with valid cause). Register as demandante de empleo at SEPE within 15 working days of termination and submit baja voluntaria form. Cannot resign voluntarily (baja voluntaria) and claim.

How to Apply

Online at sede.sepe.gob.es with Cl@ve / certificado digital OR in-person with cita previa at Oficina SEPE. Employer must provide certificado de empresa within 10 days of termination. Must sign acceptance of Compromiso de Actividad (active job-search commitment). Sign monthly renewal (sellar el paro) online via Cl@ve.

Duration: 120 days (4 months) if contributed 360 days, rising to 720 days (2 years) if contributed 2,160+ days (6 years). Rules: 1/3 of contribution period = entitlement (max 720 days). Voluntary termination = no paro. Disciplinary dismissal upheld as procedente = no paro initially (can be appealed). Dismissal improcedente or objetivo = full entitlement. Compatible with part-time work with pro-rata deduction.

Subsidio por Desempleo (Non-contributive)

Subsidio por desempleo

80% of IPREM (2026 IPREM = €600/month → subsidio = ~€480/month)

Means-tested subsidy for those who exhausted contributive paro, don't meet minimum 360-day contribution, or are long-term unemployed with family burdens.

Eligibility

Categories: (a) exhausted contributive paro + family responsibilities; (b) over-52 subsidio (long-term unemployed over 52 who meet pension-contribution minimum); (c) returned emigrants; (d) released prisoners; (e) insufficient contribution (3–12 months). Income test: your own monthly income must not exceed 75% of SMI (~€916 in 2026, based on SMI €1,221/month per RD 126/2026).

How to Apply

SEPE — online sede.sepe.gob.es or in-person cita previa. Specific formulario for each subsidio type.

Duration varies by category: 3–30 months. Over-52 subsidio can continue until pension age. Reformed 2024 — several subsidio types unified into Subsidio Extraordinario de Desempleo (SED).

Ingreso Mínimo Vital (IMV)

Ingreso Mínimo Vital

Single adult €604/month; couple €785; household with children extras €70–115/child/month. Complemento de Ayuda a la Infancia (CAPI) added since 2022 for eligible households with minors: €115/month age 0–3, €80/month age 3–6, €57/month age 6–18.

National guaranteed minimum income introduced May 2020, managed by INSS. Replaces former Renta Mínima de Inserción in most cases. Targets households in poverty.

Eligibility

Legal resident in Spain for 1+ years continuously, aged 23–65 (18+ with dependent children). Income must fall below scheme thresholds (sliding by household size). Wealth test: assets must be below €10,923–€43,690 depending on household size. Mandatory registration as demandante de empleo if of working age.

How to Apply

Online at imv.seg-social.es with Cl@ve; in-person at CAISS (Centros de Atención e Información de la Seguridad Social) with cita previa.

Processing 3–6 months. Automatic renewal each year; income/wealth tests re-evaluated annually. Non-EU citizens need 1-year legal residency (5 years to obtain initial IMV under some conditions). Compatible with some earned income under incentive rules.

Maternity / Paternity Benefit

Prestación por Nacimiento y Cuidado de Menor

100% of base reguladora (no income cap, no ceiling).

Income replacement during 16-week maternity + paternity leave (equal for both parents, non-transferable since Ley 6/2019). Paid by INSS not employer.

Eligibility

Employment contract (empleado) or autónomo at date of birth. Contribution minimum: 180 days in last 7 years (90 days in last 7 years if under 26 at birth). No minimum for first 42 days post-birth for the birth parent.

How to Apply

Online at sede.seg-social.gob.es with Cl@ve / certificado digital within 15 working days of birth. Requires: Libro de Familia or Certificado de Nacimiento, empresa certificate (employees), or acreditación autónomo status. Employer handles calculation via Sistema RED.

Birth parent: 16 weeks (first 6 weeks mandatory continuous). Other parent: 16 weeks (first 6 weeks mandatory continuous; remaining 10 flexible until child is 12 months). Not-shared, not-transferable. Unused weeks LOST at child's 12 months. Spain is one of the most progressive EU systems.

Incapacidad Temporal (Sick Leave Benefit)

Prestación por Incapacidad Temporal

Days 1–3: unpaid (unless convenio). Days 4–15: 60% base reguladora (paid by employer). Day 16–20: 60% (paid by INSS/mutua). Day 21+: 75% (paid by INSS/mutua). Common illness (enfermedad común) rules; accidente de trabajo = 75% from day 1.

Income replacement during sick leave. Paid partly by employer then Seguridad Social from day 16.

Eligibility

Active Alta in Seguridad Social. Minimum 180 contribution days in last 5 years (for common illness). No minimum for workplace accident or occupational disease.

How to Apply

Médico de familia issues parte de baja electronically — automatic trigger to mutua + employer + INSS. No separate application.

Max duration 365 days + 180 days extension if likely recovery. Beyond: transition to Incapacidad Permanente (parcial, total, absoluta, gran invalidez) with ongoing benefit.

Permanent Disability (Incapacidad Permanente)

Incapacidad Permanente

Parcial: lump-sum 24 monthly base reguladoras. Total: 55% of base reguladora (monthly, for life) — 75% if over 55. Absoluta: 100% base reguladora. Gran invalidez: 100% + 45–50% supplement for caregiver.

Benefit for lasting disability preventing work at different levels.

Eligibility

Contribution periods depending on age and grade. Adjudicated by EVI (Equipo de Valoración de Incapacidades) at INSS after medical review.

How to Apply

INSS medical review triggered after 545 days IT OR proposal by your mutua. Appeals via Juzgado de lo Social.

Incapacidad Permanente Total allows retraining or changing profession while keeping partial benefit. Absoluta completely exempt from IRPF on the pension.

Pensión de Jubilación (Retirement Pension)

Pensión de Jubilación contributiva

Based on average base reguladora of last 25 years (progressive expansion — was 15 years until 2013 reform). Replacement rate: 50% with 15 years → 100% with 36.5 years. 2026 maximum pension: €3,359.60/month (14 pagas, €47,034.40/year; source: BOE RD-ley 3/2026). Minimum with dependent spouse: ~€1,033/month (approximate — verify with INSS). Average retirement pension (2026): ~€1,376/month.

Contribution-based pension from Seguridad Social.

Eligibility

Ordinary retirement 2026: age 66 y 10 meses if contributed <37 y 9 m, OR age 65 if contributed ≥37 y 9 m. Rising gradually to age 67 by 2027 (full). Minimum contribution: 15 years (2 of which in last 15 before retirement).

How to Apply

INSS 3 months before planned date online at sede.seg-social.gob.es with Cl@ve, or in-person CAISS.

Non-EU expats departing permanently can only claim pension if: (1) they fulfill minimum contribution (15 years) — then pension is paid into foreign bank; OR (2) their country has a bilateral agreement with Spain (convenio bilateral de SS) — Spain has 20+ agreements incl. USA, Canada, Argentina, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Uruguay, Colombia, Ecuador, Russia, Ukraine, Morocco, Philippines, Australia, South Korea, Japan, China. UK post-Brexit: Convenio de SS UK-Spain Dec 2020 covers mobility. Partial contribution returns only for specific non-convenio countries under bilateral arrangement — not widely available. Plan ahead with gestoría.

Prestación por Cuidado de Hijo con Enfermedad Grave (CUME)

CUME

Up to 100% of the reduced proportion of base reguladora during jornada reduction of 50–99%.

Allowance for parents reducing work to care for child with serious illness (cancer, chronic disease list).

Eligibility

Both parents must be working. Child under 18. Disease in the official list (RD 1148/2011). Certificate from pediatra.

How to Apply

INSS via sede.seg-social.gob.es. Requires medical report.

Recognised as one of the most generous in Europe. Duration up to child's recovery or 18th birthday.

Family Benefits (Prestaciones familiares)

Prestaciones Familiares por hijo o menor a cargo

Disabled child <18 with grade II: €1,000/month. Large family (familia numerosa): IRPF deductions + CCAA bonuses.

Support for vulnerable families and disabled children.

Eligibility

Income-tested in most cases. Disabled child benefit independent of income. Ingreso Mínimo Vital beneficiaries auto-eligible for CAPI.

How to Apply

INSS online or in-person.

Contribution Overview

Social security contributions (cotizaciones sociales) 2026 split: Employee pays ~6.45% of gross (contingencias comunes 4.70% + desempleo 1.55% + formación profesional 0.10% + MEI/Mecanismo de Equidad Intergeneracional 0.10%). Employer pays ~29.9% (contingencias comunes 23.60% + desempleo 5.50% + FOGASA 0.20% + formación 0.60% + MEI 0.50%). Plus AT/EP (accidentes de trabajo / enfermedades profesionales) 1–7% depending on risk category. Minimum base 2026: €1,424.50/month (SMI €1,221 × 14/12; source: BOE RD 126/2026). Maximum base: €4,909.50/month. Autónomos (RETA) since 2023 contribute under a 15-tranche income-based scale (from €230/month at lowest tranche to €590+/month at highest tranche in 2026); first-year tarifa plana €80/month.

International Social Security Agreements

Spain has bilateral social security agreements (convenios bilaterales de Seguridad Social) with 20+ countries outside EU, plus EU Regulation 883/2004 covering all EU/EEA + Switzerland + UK (post-Brexit convenio of Dec 2020). Non-EU bilateral convenios: USA (1988), Canada (1988), Mexico (2016), Argentina (2012), Brazil (1991 + renewed 2005), Chile (1998), Peru (2005), Colombia (2008), Ecuador (2011), Uruguay (1998), Paraguay (2019), Venezuela (1990), Dominican Republic (2006), Morocco (1985), Tunisia (2007), Philippines (1988), Australia (2002), South Korea (2015), Japan (2010), Russia (suspended 2022), Ukraine (1998), Cabo Verde (2016), Andorra (2002). These ensure: (1) no double contributions; (2) contribution periods combined (totalización) for pension eligibility; (3) pensions paid internationally.

All contributions appear on your nómina / payslip as "Seguridad Social a cargo del trabajador". Your employer withholds + pays monthly. Autónomos pay directly via direct debit from their bank (domiciliación cuota autónomos). Access your full contribution history online at Importass app / sede.seg-social.gob.es — "Informe de vida laboral" shows every period of alta, employer, contribution base. Download and save periodically. For pension projections, use the Simulador de Jubilación at sede.seg-social.gob.es.

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