What exactly is the social security system in Spain?

By Welex, your accountant in Marbella!

In short, the Social Security System can be defined as a series of regimes that ensure the protection of persons in different fields, ranging from sanitary assistance to economic assistance. Here are some examples of the benefits you can enjoy under Spain’s social security system:

Social security in Spain

  • First, there is sanitary assistance, which involves the rendering of medical and pharmaceutical services, as well as rehabilitation exercises, prosthetics and orthopaedics.
  • Second, there is social assistance, which includes assistance to elderly people, preventive assistance, rehabilitation, etc.
  • Third, there are non-contributory benefits, which include permanent disability pensions, retirement pensions and child support.
  • Finally, there are economic benefits for temporary or permanent disability, injuries, retirement, unemployment, widowhood, maternity and fatherhood, etc.

Who may benefit from Spain’s social security system?

All Spanish and foreign residents are eligible, independent of their sex, marital status or profession, including their relatives and people under their charge, provided they exercise a professional activity in the Spanish territory and that they are included in the following categories:

  • Employees
  • Shareholders and associates in labour-related cooperatives
  • Self-employed individuals
  • Students
  • Military, civil and public officials

Regarding sanitary assistance through Spain’s National Health System (SNS), this type of assistance is guaranteed to those who have the condition of being insured. This condition applies to you if you belong to one of the following categories:

  • Self-employed, employee, affiliated to and registered with Social Security
  • Pensioner within the Social Security System
  • Receiving any other kind of periodic benefit, including unemployment benefits or something similar
  • Having finished an unemployment allowance or something of a similar nature, is unemployed, is without the condition of being insured by any other title and is a resident of Spain

Foreign residents

In case of non-residents who are neither registered nor authorised, minors (under 18) are eligible to receive sanitary assistance according to the same conditions as Spanish citizens. Those of legal age (who are over 18) have the right to receive sanitary assistance in the following cases:

  • For urgent situations due to severe illness or accident, whatever the reason may be, until the person is discharged from the hospital.
  • For assistance during pregnancy, delivery and post-delivery.

Do not hesitate to contact our law firm’s (Welex) tax, legal advisors, lawyers and economists in Marbella, Malaga, Spain.

Do not hesitate to contact our tax and legal advisors of our law firm Welex, lawyers and economists in Marbella, Malaga, Spain

Welex, your professional accountant in Marbella!