With the arrival of summer, many people are looking to enjoy a well-deserved vacation.. However, if you are collecting unemployment or any unemployment benefit managed by the SEPE, you should know that Going on a trip without meeting certain requirements can be very expensive.Beyond the break, there are legal responsibilities you must assume while receiving this financial aid.
There are strict regulations governing travel within and outside Spain for those receiving benefits.Failure to comply with these rules could result in anything from temporary suspension of payments to permanent loss of the right to continue receiving benefits. If you're thinking about a getaway this summer and are unemployed, this article is of (very) interest to you.
Are the unemployed entitled to vacation time?
Unlike active workers, People who receive SEPE benefits do not have the legal right to vacations.The reason is clear: these aids are conditional on the active job search and immediate availabilityThis means you must be contactable and prepared to attend interviews, mandatory training courses, or accept a job offer if the SEPE requests it.
Signing the activity agreement entails specific obligations, such as renewing your job application on the indicated dates ("registering for unemployment benefits"), attending the appointments scheduled by your employment office, and reporting any changes in your personal situation that may affect your benefits. A simple trip without warning can result in a serious violation..
Travel within Spain: conditions and limits
If you plan to travel within Spain during the summer, there is some flexibility. A maximum absence of 30 calendar days per year is permitted. without affecting the collection of the benefit, but you must meet certain requirements:
- Inform SEPE of your trip in advance.You can do so by requesting an appointment on the official website.
- Stay reachable, since the SEPE may try to contact you for a job offer or training action.
- Renew your job application during your trip, if it matches your sealing dates.
If during your absence the SEPE tries to contact you and cannot locate you, they may automatically suspend your benefit.Therefore, even if travel is permitted, you must remain committed to actively seeking employment and fulfilling your obligations.
Travel abroad: much stricter
As for travel outside of Spain, the regulations are considerably more restrictiveThe consequences vary depending on the length of the trip and the reason:
Trips of up to 15 calendar days
They are allowed, but must be reported. before leaving. Additionally, upon returning, you must report to the employment office on the first business day. During those 15 days, the benefit is not suspended as long as you notify us correctly and are registered as a job seeker.
Trips between 15 and 90 days
The benefit is automatically suspended.You must complete the "Notification of Departure Abroad" form on the SEPE Online Office before you leave. Upon your return, You have 15 business days to request resumptionIf you complete the procedures, your aid will be restored without losing any accumulated days.
Trips of more than 90 calendar days
In this case the benefit is permanently extinguished., unless the reason for the trip is related to:
- Search for work in another EU, EEA or Swiss country (exportable for 3 months, extendable for another 3)
- Conduct studies to improve employability
- Participate in international cooperation projects
What happens if you don't inform the SEPE?
Lack of communication, even for short trips, constitutes a serious violation according to the Law on Violations and Sanctions in the Social Order (articles 25 and 47.1b).
Penalties for failure to notify may include:
- Suspension of benefit payment for several months
- Final termination of the subsidy
- Claim for the return of all money received improperly
For example, one prominent case shows how A citizen sanctioned for making four trips to Morocco without notifying He had to pay a fine of €8.500 and lost access to his benefits entirely. Despite his justifications for personal reasons, the Madrid High Court ruled in favor of the SEPE (Spanish Socialist Workers' Commissions) due to a lack of prior notification.
The importance of complying with the activity agreement
When unemployment benefits are granted, the beneficiary undertakes to remain contactable., renew your job application, and follow any other actions determined by the SEPE (Spanish Employment Service). This includes interviews, courses, workshops, or any appointment with a career counselor.
A simple, unjustified weekend getaway can have consequences if it coincides with a notification. Being unavailable is equivalent to breaking the signed agreement. and may result in the suspension of your benefits, even if you have not left the country.
Furthermore, even if you are not receiving benefits, but you maintain your active claim as unemployed, You must renew on time and remain available if you apply for future aid.. Here you can find out how to renew your DARD online..
Being unemployed doesn't mean you can't leave your city. The key is doing it right. If you need to travel, follow these essential steps to avoid problems with the SEPE: Here you can find out how to know when to claim unemployment benefits..
- Make an appointment to communicate the trip.
- Submit the required forms, depending on whether the trip is national or international.
- Register your return at the employment office if you have left the country.
- Don't forget to renew your claim while you are away., if the date coincides with your absence.
Being a beneficiary of SEPE aid means being in a system of rights but also of dutiesMany people think that since they're unemployed, they have more freedom to plan getaways or vacations, but the administrative reality is very different. Breaking the rules can be much more expensive than a vacation during peak season..
Get informed, plan your trip, and above all, communicate in a timely manner. This way, you can disconnect without jeopardizing your financial rights or facing penalties that could be difficult to reverse later.