Basic Income in Spain in 2026: Who Is Eligible to Receive Up to €1,613 Per Month

In Spain, low-income individuals and families can apply for the Ingreso Mínimo Vital. The guaranteed income for 2026 ranges from €733.60 to €1,613.92 per month, and families with children are eligible for additional payments. Learn more about the program’s eligibility requirements, financial limits, and the application process

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Spain’s Ingreso Mínimo Vital program, or IMV, guarantees a minimum level of income to people in financial need. The benefit is available to both single applicants and families, but the amount depends on household composition, existing income, and assets.

The IMV is not a fixed, uniform payment for everyone. The government covers the difference between the applicant’s actual income and the guaranteed minimum set for them. In 2026, the basic threshold for a single person is €733.60 per month, and for a household of five or more people, it is €1,613.92, excluding separate child allowances.

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What is the Ingreso Mínimo Vital in Spain?

The Ingreso Mínimo Vital (IMV) is a government benefit for individuals and households whose income is insufficient to cover basic needs. It is part of Spain’s social security system, and applications are processed by the National Social Security Institute (Instituto Nacional de la Seguridad Social, INSS).

The IMV guarantees a minimum level of income but does not provide the same amount to every recipient. The amount of assistance is determined based on the number of household members, their combined income, assets, and specific family circumstances.

Payments are deposited monthly into a bank account. Eligibility continues indefinitely, as long as the recipient meets the program’s requirements. The INSS may adjust the amount if there are changes in income, family composition, or other circumstances that affect eligibility for the IMV.

In our previous article, we discussed labor market trends in Spain: requirements and ways to obtain a work visa.

How much is the Ingreso Mínimo Vital in 2026?

The amount of the guaranteed income depends on the number of adults and children in the household. For each additional member beyond the first, the base amount is increased by 30%, but the standard multiplier cannot exceed 220% of the payment for a single person.

The following monthly amounts have been set for 2026:

- €733.60 – one adult

- €953.68 – two adults or one adult and one child

- €1,173.76 – three adults, two adults and one child, or one adult and two children

- €1,393.84 – four adults, three adults and one child, two adults and two children, or one adult and three children

- €1,613.92 – households with five or more people

On an annual basis, the guaranteed income ranges from €8,803.20 for a single recipient to €19,367.04 for the largest households. This does not mean that the applicant will automatically receive the full amount: the INSS will deduct from the applicable threshold any income taken into account during the application review.

Increases are provided for certain categories. The guaranteed amount may be further increased by 22% of the base amount for a single person—that is, approximately €161.39 per month—for a single-parent household or if the applicant or a family member has a disability rating of 65% or higher. Therefore, in such cases, the total guaranteed amount may exceed the standard €1,613.92.

Read more about the Digital Nomad Visa in Spain 2026 in this article.

How is the actual payment amount calculated?

The Ingreso Mínimo Vital covers the difference between the guaranteed income level for a specific household and its counted income. To assess economic vulnerability, the INSS typically uses income from the previous calendar year and converts it to a monthly average.

The formula is as follows:

Guaranteed monthly income – average monthly income = IMV amount

For example:

1. A single person has an income of €400 per month. Their guaranteed threshold is €733.60, so the estimated payment will be €333.60

2. An adult with two children earns €600 per month. The threshold for this household is €1,173.76, so the IMV could be €573.76

3. A family of five has an income of €1,200 per month. With a guaranteed level of €1,613.92, the difference will be €413.92

Eligibility for the IMV arises if the average monthly income is at least €10 below the corresponding guaranteed threshold. If the calculated difference is less than €10 per month, no payment is granted.

The calculation takes into account not only wages but also pensions, most public and private benefits, income from self-employment, rent, and other legally defined sources of income. However, certain types of social assistance and tax-exempt payments may not be included in the calculation. The final amount is determined by the INSS after verifying the tax and asset data of all household members.

About free housing in Spain for expats — read more at the link.

What additional benefits are available for children?

Households with minor children may receive the Complemento de Ayuda para la Infancia—a monthly supplement for each child. The amount depends on the child’s age as of January 1 of the relevant year:

- €115 per month – for a child under 3 years of age

- €80.50 per month – for children aged 3 to 6

- €57.50 per month – for children aged 6 to 18

The amounts are added for each child. For example, a family with a 2-year-old and an 8-year-old child can receive an additional €172.50 per month: €115 + €57.50. Over the course of a year, this supplement will amount to €2,070.

If a family is eligible for the basic IMV payment, the child allowance is granted along with it without a separate application.

At the same time, the Complemento de Ayuda para la Infancia can be received even without the basic IMV. To qualify, the household’s annual income must be less than 300% of the applicable guaranteed level, and its net assets must be less than 150% of the total asset limit. In both cases, the application is submitted through the Ingreso Mínimo Vital service.

In our previous article, we discussed taxes in Spain in 2026: how much employees, entrepreneurs, and property owners pay.

Who is eligible for the IMV in 2026?

Both Spanish citizens and foreign nationals are eligible for the Ingreso Mínimo Vital. The determining factors are not citizenship, but rather the legality and duration of residence, household composition, total income, and the applicants’ financial status.

Key program requirements:

1. All household members must have legally and actually resided in Spain continuously for at least one year prior to submitting the application

2. The average monthly income must be at least €10 below the guaranteed IMV amount for the corresponding household composition

3. The value of property and assets must not exceed the established limits

4. The household composition must have remained unchanged for at least six months prior to the application

5. As a general rule, a single applicant must be at least 23 years old, not be married or in a registered partnership, and not be part of another household

6. An applicant between the ages of 23 and 29 who lives alone must prove at least two years of independent living prior to submitting the application

Adults or emancipated individuals who are raising children, have minors in their care, or meet other exceptions provided by law may submit an application before reaching the age of 23. Relaxed rules also apply to victims of human trafficking, sexual exploitation, and gender-based violence.

The one-year residency requirement does not apply to children who have joined the household as a result of birth, adoption, family reunification, or permanent placement in foster care. At the same time, an individual or family may lose their right to IMV regardless of income if one of its members is the current official head of a commercial company.

What income and assets are taken into account?

The INSS assesses the financial situation of the entire household, not just the applicant. The calculation includes wages, pensions, unemployment benefits, income from self-employment, rent, investments, and other sources of income for all family members.

In 2026, the annual guaranteed income, depending on household size, is as follows:

- €8,803.20 – one person

- €11,444.16 – two household members

- €14,085.12 – three people

- €16,726.08 – four people

- €19,367.04 – five or more people

These amounts should not be viewed as universal limits for all applicants. To be eligible for the IMV, the calculated average monthly household income must be at least €10 lower than the corresponding monthly guaranteed amount.

Separately, the INSS verifies the net value of assets. The primary residence in which the applicant lives is not taken into account, but other real estate, bank account balances, investments, and other assets—net of debts—may be included in the calculation.

The general asset limits for 2026 are as follows:

- €26,409.60 – one person

- €36,973.44 – two household members

- €47,537.28 – three people

- €58,101.12 – four people

- €68,664.96 – five or more people

Additionally, an asset test is applied, excluding the primary residence. Its threshold ranges from €52,819.20 for a single person to €137,329.92 for a household of five or more people. Exceeding the applicable limit may be grounds for denial even if your current income is very low.

Incidentally, Spain has been named the best country in Europe for real estate investment for the first time.

How do I apply for Ingreso Mínimo Vital?

The most convenient way to apply is through the official IMV portal. The service is available to both users with a digital certificate or Cl@ve and applicants without electronic identification. In the latter case, you must fill out an online form, upload photos of your documents, and complete identity verification.

You can also submit your application in person at an INSS service center by appointment or send it by mail. The following documents are typically required:

- Passport, DNI, NIE, or TIE

- A document confirming legal residence in Spain

- A historical and collective registration certificate (Certificado de empadronamiento histórico y colectivo) with details of the place and duration of registration

- Documents regarding family composition, marriage, children’s births, guardianship, or divorce

- A bank account number held by the applicant

- Signatures or consent from adult household members

The INSS primarily obtains information on income, assets, and tax obligations from government registries. However, the agency may request additional documentation if data is missing, inconsistent, or does not corroborate the circumstances stated in the application.

The maximum processing time is six months from the date the application is registered. If the decision is favorable, eligibility for IMV generally begins on the first day of the month following the month in which the documents were submitted. You can check the status of your online application using the reference number provided after submission.

Spain’s immigration laws are changing, and it can be difficult to navigate the new opportunities on your own. On the Visit World portal, you can consult with an immigration lawyer who will help you assess your chances of legalization, choose the best path forward, and prepare the necessary documents.

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We remind you! We previously reported that Spain is tightening rules for tourists in 2026.

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