Pension question, Spain
Do Spanish pensioners abroad need a proof of life?
Spanish Social Security pensioners resident abroad must certify that they are alive (acreditar la vivencia, fe de vida). Spanish Social Security pensioners living abroad must prove they are alive twice during 2026 (once in the January-March window and once in September), rising to three times a year from 2027.
What to do next
- Put the proof of life months for this year in your diary.
- Make sure the Spanish authorities hold your current address abroad.
- Run our free check to see whether another country also holds a pension for you.
Check your own working life for free
Tell us where you worked. The free check shows which countries may hold a pension for you, and which can be ruled out and why. No sign in, no charge.
Run the free checkQuestions people also ask
Do I have to report a change of address?
A Spanish pensioner must notify the managing entity within 30 days of any change of habitual or tax address, start of work activity, change in economic situation (including receipt of other national or foreign pensions), or change in family situation.
Do you give advice on what to do?
No. We identify where a pension is likely held and the official route to it, and we name each source with the date we read it. We do not give financial, tax or legal advice.