Unemployment benefit in Spain 2026: how much, how long and limits

Updated on 30 September 2026 · By the NetoNómina team

Contributory unemployment benefit (paro) is paid by the SEPE, Spain's public employment service. In the Basque Country, Lanbide handles part of the process, but the amounts are the same throughout Spain.

Basic requirements

• Having contributed for at least 360 days in the last 6 years.
• Being legally unemployed: dismissal, end of contract or failing the probation period.
• Registering as a job seeker and applying within the following 15 working days.

How much you receive

The starting point is the regulatory base (base reguladora), the average of your unemployment contribution bases over the last 180 days worked. The following is applied to it:

• First 180 days: 70%.
• Days 181 to 360: 60%.
• From day 361: 50%.

Minimum and maximum amounts in 2026

They depend on the IPREM (€600 a month in 2026) and on whether you have dependent children:

Duration

It depends on the days contributed in the last 6 years: from 120 days of benefit if you contributed between 360 and 539 days, up to 720 days if you contributed 2,160 days or more.

Your share of Social Security contributions and, where applicable, IRPF withholding are deducted from the benefit.