Spain’s Minimum Vital Income (IMV) continues to expand its reach. In November, the benefit was received by 785,722 households, covering 2,400,567 individuals, according to the latest data from the National Social Security Institute. This represents an annual increase of 18.1% in beneficiary households and 18.7% more people protected, with 120,214 additional active benefits compared with the previous year.
The average amount paid per household is €485 per month, bringing the total November expenditure to €406.1 million. The programme has a predominantly female profile: 67.9% of benefit holders and 53.5% of beneficiaries (1,420,373 individuals) are women.
Minister Elma Saiz highlighted the Government’s “firm commitment to continue improving and expanding” the IMV, noting that the programme has already supported millions of people and remains a key tool for social cohesion.
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Minimum Vital Income reaches 2.4 million people in November. Strengthened protection for children
The IMV plays a crucial role in combating child poverty, as benefit amounts increase with the number of minors in the household. Currently, 40.8% of beneficiaries are under 18, totalling 980,194 children and adolescents.
In November, 538,873 IMV households (68.6%) included minors, and 133,078 were single-parent families, mostly led by women.
The Child Support Supplement (CAPI) provides additional protection. In November, it reached 553,300 households, with an average benefit of €68.3 per child and €126.10 per household. Monthly amounts are:
- €115 (ages 0–3)
- €80.5 (ages 3–6)
- €57.5 (ages 6–18)
The CAPI can be received independently of the IMV thanks to broader income limits. For instance, a two-adult household with two children can qualify with an income up to €3,755 per month.
Since its launch, the IMV has supported over 3.3 million people, including more than 1.4 million minors.
IMV and young people
The average age of IMV beneficiaries is 28.37 years, highlighting its importance for young adults in vulnerable situations. Excluding benefit holders, the average falls to 20.03 years.
Recent improvements make it easier for young people to access the benefit:
- It can be requested from age 18, or earlier if emancipated with children.
- The requirement for independent living for those under 30 has been reduced from 3 to 2 years.
General requirements to apply for the IMV
To apply, individuals must:
- Have resided legally and continuously in Spain for at least one year.
- Provide proof of address through municipal registration.
- Certify the household unit (family book, civil registry, census data).
- Be in a situation of economic vulnerability.
The IMV is compatible with work income and includes incentives to encourage labour integration. Thanks to the new dual income review system, families now know in advance whether their benefit will increase, decrease or end, based on income from the previous year.