Widow's or widower's pension
Pensión de viudedad
What it is
The widow's or widower's pension under the General Scheme is granted when a person dies who was affiliated and registered (or in an equivalent situation) and had the minimum contribution period. If death is due to common illness, 500 days of contributions in the previous 5 years are required; if it is due to an accident or occupational disease, no prior contributions are required. If the deceased was not registered, 15 years of contributions are needed. If death results from a common illness that existed before the marriage, the spouse must prove children in common or one year of marriage (or more than two years counting prior cohabitation as a de facto partner); otherwise they may receive a temporary widowhood benefit.
Official wording
Si el fallecimiento es debido a accidente, sea o no de trabajo, o a enfermedad profesional no se exige período previo de cotización.Official sources
- Where it applies
- All of Spain
Official information
Official sources
When
After the death of a spouse or registered partner, if the deceased met the registration and contribution requirements. If death was due to a common illness predating the marriage, there must be shared children or one year of marriage (or, adding prior cohabitation as a couple, more than two years).
Official wording
Que el matrimonio se hubiera celebrado con un año de antelación al fallecimiento.Official sources
Steps
Step 1: Check whether you qualify
Eligible: the spouse; separated or divorced persons with a compensatory pension (or victims of gender violence); and the partner registered or formalised at least two years before death, with five years of cohabitation (two if there are shared children). If the spouse does not meet the marriage requirements, a temporary widow’s benefit can be requested.
Official wording
Cuando el cónyuge no acredite uno de estos requisitos, podrá acceder a una prestación temporal de viudedad, siempre que reúna el resto de los requisitos exigidos.
Official sources
Step 2: Submit the application
Online on the Social Security Benefits Portal, or with the widowhood, orphanhood and family form and documents at a CAISS by appointment, or by ordinary post to the nearest Provincial Directorate.
Official wording
Para solicitar la prestación, se puede acceder al servicio en el Portal de Prestaciones de la Seguridad Social
Official sources
FAQ
We were a registered couple. Am I entitled?
Yes, if the partnership was registered regionally or municipally or formalised in a public deed at least two years before death, neither was married or in another partnership, and you lived together stably for five consecutive years before death (two if you had children together).
Official wording
Convivencia estable y notoria con carácter inmediato al fallecimiento del causante, con una duración ininterrumpida no inferior a 5 años.Official sources
Related procedures
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