Spain’s Imserso program began accepting applications on June 22 for its 2026-2027 subsidized travel season, keeping the number of available places and participant costs unchanged. The application window runs until July 10 and is open exclusively to people who have not previously traveled with Imserso, giving newcomers a chance to secure a place in one of the country’s most popular senior travel programs.
The program offers 879,213 places. Of those, 440,284 are for the peninsular coast. Island trips account for 228,142 places, while short-break trips get 210,787. More than 4.6 million people are accredited to participate, equivalent to roughly one place for every five eligible users. Island-coast itineraries come as eight-day, seven-night or ten-day, nine-night stays. Prices depend on destination and duration; season and transport inclusion also affect the fare. Packages generally include shared double-room accommodation and full board.
For the peninsular coast, published fares include €224.63 for a seven-night stay without transport in low season and €324.63 in high season. Canary Islands prices vary by length of stay and transport. An eight-day, seven-night package costs €378.75 with transport in ordinary months and €478.75 in high season; without transport, the corresponding fares are €224.28 and €324.28. The program also reserves 7,447 places at a €50 rate for eligible people who meet the income requirements.
Eligibility is strictly defined. Applicants must be Spanish Social Security pensioners aged 55 or older who are retired and widowed, or recipients of other qualifying benefits aged 60 or older; insured people and beneficiaries aged 65 or older are also eligible. Those who have participated in previous Imserso seasons do not need to reapply. They will receive a document confirming their details and destination preferences, which only needs to be returned if changes are required.
First-time applicants can apply through the Imserso Electronic Office, where the online application for the 2026-2027 season is available. Alternatively, forms can be downloaded from the Imserso website and submitted through official electronic registries or by post to the Madrid address specified by the program. Applications sent by regular mail must not be certified.
Imserso continues to reserve 7,447 places at a special rate of €50 for people whose income does not exceed the threshold for non-contributory pensions, provided they score highest on the program’s evaluation criteria. A 20% deposit is generally required to confirm a booking. If departure is less than 45 days away, the full fare is due. A €100 surcharge applies to second and subsequent trips in the same season; high-season supplements can add as much as another €100.
Marketing for the season began in September, with departures scheduled through June 2027. Places can return to the booking system after cancellations or when reservations are not completed. Hosteltur reports that unpaid balances due 45 days before departure can lead to a booking being released. Reappearing places may be snapped up quickly, sometimes within around 30 minutes. In October, industry publications reported hundreds of departures with vacancies still available into spring 2027.
Unchanged fares come amid pressure from hotel operators over the payments they receive. HOSBEC, the Valencian hotel and tourism employers’ association, says hotel operating costs have risen by more than 30% in recent years. It puts current payments at €26-€30 per person per day and says rates would need to exceed €35 to avoid operating at a loss.
The Imserso travel program is a mainstay for many Spanish pensioners, while other initiatives also cater to seniors’ needs. Ahead of the August solar eclipse, affordable certified eyewear has been made available to the public, as detailed in this recent report on eclipse glasses sales.
Eligible seniors have until July 10 to apply. Prices remain unchanged, and the program offers a broad choice of destinations for Spain’s older population.
