Understanding the Spanish Social Security System

Scope of Social Security

The Social Security (SS) system ensures adequate protection for working people and their families. In Spain, there are two levels:

• Contributory

  Covers employed workers and their resident family members.

• Non-Contributory

  Includes all Spanish residents not covered by the contributory system, providing healthcare, disability, retirement, and child allowances.

Social Security Schemes

• General Regime

  Applies to most workers.

• Special Regimes

  Covers specific activities, including domestic workers and students.

Organizational Structure

The SS is managed through various entities:

A. Managing Bodies

• National Institute of Social Security (INSS)

  Manages cash benefits.

• Institute for Public Health (INGESA)

  Manages health services.

• National Institute of Migration and Social Services (IMSERSO)

  Manages disability and retirement pensions, and elderly services.

• National Institute of the Navy

  Manages benefits for the maritime and fishing sector.

B. Common Services

• General Treasury

  Manages financial resources, payments, and collections.

• Computer Management

  Handles the SS information system.

C. Partners

• Mutual Employers' Associations

  Manage occupational accident and disease care.

• Companies

  Collaborate by paying benefits reinstated by SS; some manage healthcare and economic benefits for accidents.

D. Autonomous Bodies

• Employment Institute (INEM)

  Manages unemployment benefits.

• Institute for Occupational Safety and Health at Work

  Advises and controls occupational risk reduction.

Social Security Benefits

A. Healthcare

Provides medical, pharmaceutical, rehabilitation, and prosthetic services to entitled individuals: workers, their families, pensioners, and the unemployed.

B. Maternity and Adoption

• Childbirth: Maternity leave (16 weeks), multiple births (18 weeks).
• Adoption (under 6 years): 16 weeks; multiple adoptions: add 2 weeks per child.
• Leave can be shared between parents; 6 weeks must be taken by the mother after birth.
• Quotation: 180 days within the previous 5 years. If the mother doesn't meet this, the other parent can receive the allowance, minus 6 weeks.

Maternity allowance requirements:

• Mothers under 21: No quotation needed.
• Mothers aged 21-26: 90 days of contribution in the 7 years before birth/adoption, or 180 days in their career.
• Mothers over 26: 180 days in the 7 years before birth/adoption, or 360 days in their career.