SEPE offers up to €570 a month support for workers who don’t qualify for unemployment benefit
Many foreign workers in Spain, including the Canary Islands, may be unaware that the State Public Employment Service (SEPE) offers a financial subsidy for people who lose temporary jobs but have not contributed enough to qualify for standard unemployment benefit.
The support is aimed at workers who have not reached the minimum 360 days of social security contributions required to receive contributory unemployment benefit (“paro”), but who have worked for at least three months before becoming unemployed.
Financial Support for Short-Term Workers
The subsidy is designed to help people who lose their jobs after short-term contracts so they are not left without financial support while looking for new employment.
During the first 180 days, the payment can reach up to €570 per month.
From day 181 to day 360, the amount decreases slightly to around €540 per month.
If the subsidy continues beyond that period, the payment may fall further to around €480 per month.
The exact amount is calculated using the IPREM (Public Indicator of Multiple Effect Income), a reference index used in Spain to determine the value of many benefits and subsidies.
Who Can Apply?
To qualify for the subsidy, applicants must meet several requirements:
- Be officially registered as a job seeker and remain registered while receiving the benefit.
- Sign an activity commitment, agreeing to actively look for work and participate in training or employment programmes if required.
- Have lost their job involuntarily, meaning the contract ended for reasons not caused by the worker.
- Not exceed certain income limits, proving they do not have sufficient personal income.
- In some cases, demonstrate family responsibilities, which may affect eligibility and duration.
Applicants must also submit a declaration of household income so SEPE can confirm they meet the financial criteria.
Application Deadline: Workers who wish to apply must submit their request within 15 working days after their employment contract ends.
How Long the Subsidy Lasts: The total duration of the payment depends on how long the worker contributed before becoming unemployed. For example, someone who has contributed around 150 days could receive roughly €2,850 spread across five months.
In cases where the applicant has family dependants, the subsidy may be extended, in some circumstances reaching a maximum duration of up to 21 months.
SEPE says the scheme is designed to provide temporary financial support while unemployed workers search for a new job, particularly those whose employment history is made up mainly of short-term or temporary contracts.
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