From 2026, Spain’s SEPE will let eligible unemployed people receive up to €450 per month in benefits while working part-time, for up to 180 days. The measure targets those with long-term contributory benefits and aims to ease the transition back into the workforce.
Starting in 2026, Spain’s State Public Employment Service (SEPE) will introduce a significant change for jobseekers: those receiving long-term contributory unemployment benefits will be able to combine their payments with a new part-time job, collecting up to €450 per month for a maximum of 180 days. The move is designed to make it easier for the unemployed to re-enter the workforce without immediately losing their financial safety net.
The new Complemento de Apoyo al Empleo (CAE) will be granted automatically to those whose unemployment benefit period lasts at least 14 months (420 days). To qualify, recipients must have already used up nine months of their benefit before starting the new job. The CAE applies to both full-time and part-time contracts, but the employer cannot be the same company where the person worked in the previous 12 months. Additional restrictions apply for family relationships and companies with recent ERTEs.
How the CAE Works
The CAE is not calculated as a percentage of the new salary. Instead, SEPE sets fixed monthly amounts based on the type of contract and the month of benefit. For part-time jobs with a workload of 75% or more, the supplement can reach €450 per month. The amount decreases as the benefit period progresses: for example, between months 10 and 15, a 50–75% part-time contract yields €420 per month, dropping to €270 between months 16 and 18. The maximum duration of the supplement is 180 days, but this depends on when the new job begins within the benefit period.
Duration and Impact on Benefits
The maximum 180-day period is only available to those who start their compatible job from the thirteenth month of their benefit. If the job begins earlier, the supplement is limited: 30 days if started in month 10, 60 days in month 11, and 90 days in month 12. Importantly, each day of CAE received counts as a day of unemployment benefit used, regardless of the supplement’s amount. This means the benefit is not “paused” while working part-time; instead, it is gradually consumed.
Options for Suspending the Supplement
Recipients who prefer to preserve their remaining unemployment benefit can request to suspend the CAE. If the request is made within 15 working days of starting the new job, the suspension takes effect from the first day of employment. Requests made later will only apply from the date of submission. The process can be completed online, by phone, or in person at SEPE offices.
What Happens When the Job Ends
When the employment that triggered the CAE ends, recipients must notify SEPE within 15 working days. If they are still legally unemployed, they can apply to resume their remaining benefit. This is particularly relevant for those whose new contract lasts less than 360 days, as it may affect future benefit entitlements.
Labour Market Context
The reform comes as Spain’s labour market continues to evolve. According to the latest Labour Force Survey published by the INE, the second quarter of 2026 closed with 22,779,000 people employed and 2,495,300 unemployed, putting the national unemployment rate at 9.87%.
By allowing a smoother transition from unemployment to work, the CAE aims to reduce barriers for those hesitant to accept part-time roles due to financial uncertainty. As the Spanish job market adapts to new realities, such measures could play a key role in supporting both jobseekers and employers.
