If you’re a pensioner in Spain, it’s worth knowing that there are several benefits available to you, in order to help you out with rising living costs.
With the rise in the cost of living – from food and utility bills to transport and rent – it’s getting harder and harder for people to make ends meet, especially for pensioners who typically only have a finite amount coming in and are no longer working, so cannot top up their income.
Data shows that pensioners are one of the most vulnerable age groups in the country, particularly because they also have to deal with discrimination and technological barriers, as well as financial ones.
Thankfully there are several subsidies and public aid that elderly people in Spain can access in order to make life easier.
It’s important to be aware that some of these subsidies may not be available to people with overseas pensions.
Discounts on telephone rates
It’s important for elderly people to stay connected to their families, both on the phone and via the internet, and luckily there is financial aid for this in the form of vouchers from phone companies.
These enable you to save up to 70 percent on individual line registration fees, as well as discounts on monthly fees, which can be up to 95 percent. In order to be eligible for the main Telefónica Movistar package, you must prove that your family income does not exceed €10,080 per year and that you are a beneficiary of a public pension. There are, however, several other phone and internet companies offering discounts for pensioners with different income levels and requirements.
Heating and electricity payments
If you’re in a vulnerable situation, you can apply for a reduction in your electricity or heating bills. The bono social eléctrico and the bono social térmico may be available to you if you meet specific requirements such as earning less than 1.5 times the IPREM over 14 payments. In 2026 this equals €12,600 per year.
The discount applied may change depending on your situation and needs, but typically you will be able to save up to 42.5 percent on your bills. There are greater discounts for those who meet specific circumstances such as being disabled, a victim of gender violence or receiving the Minimum Vital Income. You can find out more here.
Help with rental payments
Although in Spain, most pensioners own their own property, it has been revealed that there are still five percent who rent. If you are one of these, then you can also be granted financial aid in order to help pay for your home. This benefit is a single payment of €525 and is directed at all beneficiaries of a non-contributory Spanish retirement pension who are holders of a rental contract and do not own a home.
The property has to be your habitual home and you cannot have any family relationship with the landlord. You can request this from the relevant authorities of your region, Provincial Councils of the Basque Country and Navarra, and the Territorial Directorates of the Institute for the Elderly and Social Services (Imserso) of Ceuta and Melilla.
There may also be other help for renting via your local city council, so it’s worth contacting them to find out.
Aid for dependent living
If you live on your own or with a partner or family member, rather than in a care home, but still require assistance, you may be able to request benefits for home care or day centres. Keep in mind that this type of aid is typically only available to those who have been paying into the Spanish social security system, but it’s worth checking with your local authorities to see what your options are if you haven’t been.
Top up for reducing the gender gap
If you’re a woman and receive a Spanish pension and have had at least one child, then you may be able to get a small bonus added on to your monthly payments with the aim of compensating for the damage to your professional career you’ve suffered over the years. This may be because you were the primary caretaker for your children and therefore your career suffered a setback. The supplement this year is set at €36.90 per month for each child you had.
