Unemployment Benefits in Spain
People who worked and contributed for at least 360 days in the last six years can get contributory unemployment benefit (paro) from the State Public Employment Service (SEPE); those with less can get unemployment subsidies. Households lacking basic means can get the Minimum Living Income (Ingreso Mínimo Vital) from Social Security.
✓ From official pages ✓ Each part says when we checked
At a glance
Servicio Público de Empleo Estatal (SEPE)
The job market in Spain
The International Labour Organization's estimates put Spain 150th lowest of 183 countries for unemployment in 2025; the world's rate was 4.9%.
Spain's unemployment rate over the years · every country, ranked
What to do first
- Register with the public employment service, Servicio Público de Empleo Estatal (SEPE). Official page
- Apply for Contributory unemployment benefit (prestación contributiva por desempleo): apply within 15 working days after the last day worked, online at SEPE's electronic office or with an appointment, and sign the activity agreement. Official page
- Keep up with the job-search rule while you claim (below), and keep a record of where you applied.
Contributory unemployment benefit (prestación contributiva por desempleo)
Who can get it. People who worked and paid unemployment contributions for at least 360 days in the 6 years before becoming legally unemployed, registered as job seekers and below ordinary retirement age.
How much. 70% of the regulatory base for the first 180 days and 60% from day 181 to the end, within minimum and maximum amounts that depend on dependent children.
How to claim. Apply within 15 working days after the last day worked, online at SEPE's electronic office or with an appointment, and sign the activity agreement.
From an official page, read October 25, 2026.
Looking for work while you claim
Actively look for work and take part in actions to improve employability; when asked, prove to SEPE the steps taken to look for work. Stay registered as a job seeker throughout.
Reporting. Proof of job search when SEPE asks for it
From an official page, read October 25, 2026.
Keep my work search record for Spain
Free. It lists where you applied and what else you did to look for work, each line ready to copy into the form you report on. It is your own record: we send nothing to any government.
Help finding work
- The public employment service: Servicio Público de Empleo Estatal (SEPE)
Questions
Is there unemployment benefit in Spain?
Yes: Contributory unemployment benefit (prestación contributiva por desempleo), paid by Servicio Público de Empleo Estatal (SEPE).
How much is unemployment benefit in Spain?
70% of the regulatory base for the first 180 days and 60% from day 181 to the end, within minimum and maximum amounts that depend on dependent children.
How do I claim unemployment benefit in Spain?
Apply within 15 working days after the last day worked, online at SEPE's electronic office or with an appointment, and sign the activity agreement.
Do I have to look for work while I claim in Spain?
Actively look for work and take part in actions to improve employability; when asked, prove to SEPE the steps taken to look for work. Stay registered as a job seeker throughout.
Where can I get help finding a job in Spain?
The public employment service is Servicio Público de Empleo Estatal (SEPE).
Nearby countries
Albania
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Croatia
Gibraltar
Greece
Italy
Kosovo
Malta
Montenegro
North Macedonia
Portugal
San Marino
Serbia
Slovenia
Vatican City
Where this comes from
Every part of this page was read on an official website, and each links the page it came from and the day we checked it. Rules and amounts change, so check that page before you rely on a figure. Jobareer is not part of any government and cannot see or change a claim.
See also: unemployment rate by country · Spain's unemployment rate · unemployment in the US, state by state.