GUIDE IN ENGLISH · SPAIN 2026
Unemployment benefit in Spain (paro), explained in English
If you lose your job in Spain and have contributed enough, the SEPE pays you a monthly unemployment benefit. You must apply within 15 working days.
How much you get in 2026
70% of your base (the average of what you contributed in the last 180 days) for the first 180 days, and 60% after that, with a minimum and a maximum per month:
- No children: minimum €560, maximum €1,225.
- 1 child: minimum €749, maximum €1,400.
- 2 or more children: minimum €749, maximum €1,575.
These are gross amounts.
How long it lasts
It depends on what you contributed in the last 6 years: with 1 year you get 4 months; each extra half year adds 2 months, up to 2 years with 6 years contributed.
Requirements
- Having contributed for unemployment at least 360 days in the last 6 years.
- Being legally unemployed: dismissal, end of contract… Not if you quit voluntarily.
- Registering as a jobseeker and signing the activity agreement.
- Not having reached the ordinary retirement age.
How and when to apply
You have 15 working days from your last working day (or from the end of paid holidays). If you are late, you lose those days. Apply on the SEPE website (with a digital certificate, Cl@ve or the pre-application form) or with an appointment at your office.
Spanish words you will see
Frequently asked questions
Can I get unemployment benefit if I quit?+
No, not if you leave voluntarily. You need to be legally unemployed: dismissal, end of contract and other cases.
What deadline do I have?+
15 working days from the day you stop working.
What if my benefit runs out?+
Check whether you are entitled to the unemployment allowance (subsidio por desempleo).
Official source: www.sepe.es. Information checked in November 2026. Amounts and deadlines can change: the official call always prevails. The application itself is in Spanish.