Social Security System

Read more here about the social security and social welfare system in Spain. Health information for Irish nationals travelling overseas can be found on the Citizens Information website.

Under Spanish law, social security payments must be made in respect of employees. Social security covers the person concerned in respect of health care entitlements (which is very important given that the European Health Insurance Card (known before as E111) does not provide indefinite cover), unemployment insurance and a range of benefits. The system is complex but, in general terms, payments amount to approximately 32% of gross salary with the employee’s portion being around 6% of this and the employer contributing the remainder. Collection of social security is generally taken at source.