To receive the unemployment benefit in Spain, you must have contributed to Social Security for a minimum of one year (360 days). This contributory period gives you the right to receive benefits for 120 days (4 months).

 

Beneficiaries

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The Spanish State Employment Service benefits and subsidies are available to workers from the EU, the EEA (European Economic Area) or Switzerland who reside in Spain. They are also available to workers from other countries who reside and work legally in Spain.

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What requirements must you meet to qualify?

 

You will be entitled to this benefit if:

Resident of Spain minimum a year
Have Empadronamiento (‘Padron’) minimum a year 
Social Security number
Are legally unemployed with a deadline to apply of 15 working days including Saturday where you need to get registered under INEM.
Have paid contributions for at least 360 days in the 6 years before becoming unemployed or before the end of your obligation to pay contributions.

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What are you entitled to?

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If you are completely unemployed, the unemployment benefit entitles you to:

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The amount of the benefit may in no case whatsoever be greater or lesser than the set limits, depending on the number of family members who are dependent on the unemployed person.

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In the event of unemployment due to losing a part-time job, benefits are calculated in proportion to the reduction in working hours. Minimum and maximum limits are reduced proportionally, after applying the same percentage that results from hours worked divided by the usual company hours.

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The duration of benefits, which varies between 120 and 720 days, depends on the length of time for which the person paid their social security contributions, been resident of Spain and have been on Padron during the previous 6 years.

These benefits are managed by the Servicio Público de Empleo Estatal, SEPE (State Public Employment Service). The first step to obtaining the benefit is to register as a job seeker in one of their offices and, once there, apply for the benefit within 15 dyas after you become legally unemployed.

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