Social security in Spain (INSS)

When you work in Spain or run your own business you are obliged to pay contributions to the Seguridad Social. In return, you receive social security benefits (sickness care, disability, unemployment, pension accrual, etc.).

The scheme or the amount you pay in social security depends on your status, age and family status. Workers and white-collar workers enjoy the most benefits and part of their contribution is paid by the employer.

As a self-employed person, you pay more contributions because you do not have an employer who pays them for you and you always pay a minimum rate regardless of your income. The higher your income, the more contribution you will pay, but the higher your contribution has been, the higher your pension.

If you come to settle in Spain as a pensioner, you can transfer the rights acquired in your home country (subject to mutual agreements between the countries). You will then end up in the Spanish social security system with regard to health care. The costs of health care will then be arranged between Spain and the country where you have acquired the rights. Your home country remains responsible for the care abroad (for example, if you are going to travel).

Most people know that the Spanish Social Security is practically free, but that also has its reservations. You may be faced with long waiting times, medical staff who only speak Spanish, little guidance towards alternative treatments and the typical prescription of medication for each ailment. But also by regularly changing doctors, the quality of the service can sometimes be questioned. An alternative is to opt for private health insurance.

A private health insurance offers you access to all medical services in your own language in many cases. There are options to opt for supplementary insurances to very comprehensive insurances with free choice of doctors and medication costs covered. Of course, everything depends on your budget. A plus point is that almost all private health insurances offer access to dentists and dental clinics and that you often also benefit from foreign medical coverage.