How to apply for unemployment benefit in Spain?
Read our article and frequently asked questions to find out if you’re eligible for El Paro (unemployment benefit) in Spain and how to apply for it in Barcelona.
FAQ El Paro - Unemployment benefit in Spain
What is El Paro?
El Paro is the unemployment subsidy of the Spanish Social Security system. The amount and duration varies depending on your work history and Social Security contributions.
What are the qualifications to claim unemployment benefit in Spain?
In order to apply for unemployment benefit you must:
- have a social security number (número de seguridad social).
- have worked for a minimum of 360 days over the last 6 years as part of a contract – The 360 days doesn’t have to be continual or for the same employer.
- have lost your job involuntarily – this includes, your contract not being extended, being fired or your hours being reduced by more than a third.
- be registered as a job seeker for the entire period in which ‘el paro’ is received.
When can I claim unemployment benefits?
In order to claim El Paro (unemployment benefit) in Spain, you must have contributed to the system and the amount that you receive is dependent on various factors.
El Paro can be claimed from 4 months up to a maximum of 2 years, depending on the contributions accumulated during the previous 6 years.
What is a DARDO?
A DARDO is your unemployment card, the proof of your registration as a jobseeker.
In order to maintain job seeker status, it is necessary to renew your unemployment card (DARDO) on the dates indicated.
How can I apply for unemployment benefits?
To receive El Paro from the first day after your contract ends, 2 registrations must be made within 15 working days of your contract ending.
In order to apply for unemployment benefits you need to register at the SOC and the SEPE.
Servei D’Ocupació de Catalunya (SOC)
- Job Seeker Registration
- They will provide you with your unemployment card (DARDO)
- This can be done online, over the phone or in person
- Online procedure
- Schedule an appointment
- 900 800 046 (free of charge)
Servicio Público de Empleo Estatal (SEPE, formerly INEM)
- Unemployment registration
- This can be done online, over the phone or in person
- Online procedure
- Schedule an appointment
- Information via phone
How much money will I receive?
What are factors that determine how much money I will receive?
There are several factors that will determine how much unemployment benefit you receive, for example:
- the number of children per family,
- whether you have claimed previously and
- how much you were earning each month whilst employed (taking the average figure from the last 6 months).
How much money you will I receive?
Typically, the amount will be 70% of the gross amount of your monthly wage for the first 6 months. After this, the percentage is then reduced to 50% of your monthly wage.
However, there are minimum and maximum amounts that you can claim, for example the maximum amount available in 2024 for people without children is €1.225 and the minimum is €560.
Are their deductions related to my unemployment benefit?
The Government will deduct your social security contribution from your unemployment benefits (of course, the amount varies per person). Therefore, whilst receiving unemployment benefit, the worker must remain registered with Social Security and deductions will be made for things such as; Family Protection, Retirement, Permanent Disability, Death and Survival, Temporary Disability, Maternity, Health and Pharmaceutical Assistance.
The amount deducted will be the average of the worker’s contributions for these things in the last six months of employment. However, payment of the business contribution will be made in full by the Spanish Public Employment Service.
What is a Finiquito and why do you need it?
On the last day of your employment, your employer will ask you to sign a Finiquito. Make sure you check it thoroughly for any errors and ask your employer to explain the calculation before signing it, as once signed, you cannot challenge it.
The Finiquito is a receipt that lists the payments due and their concepts, the sum will have accumulated over the length of your contract but may not have been paid to you by the time the contract ends. Therefore, it serves as an acknowledgement of payments that need to be signed by the employee.
Such payments include:
- Whatever salary is due.
- Holidays not enjoyed by the employee.
- Redundancy payment.
Can you give me some tips on how to find a job in Barcelona?
Can you help me to find a job in Barcelona?
Yes, we can help you to find a job in Barcelona.
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Sammy Jawara
9 March 2023 at 11:25Hi. Is it possible to get paro after you have been working for 8 months?
Gaetan Krop
3 April 2023 at 12:36What happens if you're also autonomo on the side and lose your fix job?
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