Spain - Pensions and benefits
If you have lived or worked in Spain and in Canada, or you are the survivor of someone who has lived or worked in Spain and in Canada, you may be eligible for pensions or benefits from Spain or Canada, or both.
The Convention on Social Security between Canada and Spain came into force on January 1, 1988. A protocol came into force on May 1, 1997.
Available benefits
If you contributed to both the Canada Pension Plan and the Spanish pension program, or if you lived in Canada and Spain, this convention may help you qualify for:
- Canadian old age and disability benefits
- Spanish old age and disability benefits
If you are the widow, widower or child of a person who contributed to the pension programs of both countries, this convention may help you qualify for:
- Canadian survivor benefits
- Spanish survivor benefits
You may qualify for a Canadian or a Spanish benefit, or both. However, under the Convention, the benefit paid by each country will be based solely on your creditable periods under that country’s pension program. In other words, Canada will pay a benefit amount reflecting the portion of your periods that are creditable under Canada's pension program, and Spain will pay a benefit amount reflecting the portion of your creditable periods under Spain's pension program.
Eligibility
Canadian benefits
The Canadian pension programs included in the Convention are the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and the Old Age Security (OAS) program.
If you do not qualify for a Canada Pension Plan benefit based on your contributions to the CPP, Canada will consider your periods of insurance under the Spanish pension program as periods of contribution to the Canada Pension Plan.
If you do not qualify for an Old Age Security pension based on your years of residence in Canada, Canada will consider periods during which you resided in Spain after the age of 18 as periods of residence in Canada.
Note: Quebec Pension Plan (QPP) contributors
The Government of Canada’s international social security agreements cover Old Age Security and Canada Pension Plan benefits only. If you contribute or have contributed to the QPP but not to the CPP, please consult the Quebec Pension Plan.
Spanish benefits
The Spanish pension program is similar to the Canada Pension Plan and covers most employed and self-employed persons in Spain.
To qualify for a benefit under the Spanish pension program, you normally must have contributed to the program for a minimum period.
If you have not contributed to the program for the minimum period, under the Convention, Spain will consider periods of contribution to the Canada Pension Plan and periods of residence in Canada after the age of 18 as credited periods under the pension program of Spain.
Apply
Print and complete one of the following application forms:
If you live in Canada
If you live in Canada and want to apply for Canadian benefits, consult the Pensions in Canada.
If you live in Canada and want to apply for Spanish benefits:
- Spain/Canada Convention - Application for a Spanish old age benefit (CAN-E1)
- Spain/Canada Convention - Application for Spanish death and survivor's benefit (CAN-E1_(S)
- Spain/Canada Convention - Application for a Spanish invalidity benefit (CAN-E1_(D)
Attach any necessary supporting documents, and return the application form to a Service Canada Centre, or mail it to:
International Operations
Service Canada
PO Box 250
Fredericton NB E3B 4Z6
Canada
If you live in Spain
If you live in Spain and want to apply for Canadian benefits:
- Spain/Canada Convention - Application for Canadian Old Age, Retirement and Survivors Benefits (ISP5054-ESP)
- Spain/Canada Convention - Application for CPP Child's Benefits (ISP5055-ESP)
- Spain/Canada Convention - Application for CPP Disability Benefits (ISP5053-ESP)
Attach any necessary supporting documents, and return the application form to a social security office in Spain, or mail it to:
International Operations
Service Canada
PO Box 250
Fredericton NB E3B 4Z6
Canada
Spain’s social security
Resources
- Convention on Social Security between Canada and Spain
- Protocol to the Convention on Social Security between Canada and Spain
- General overview of Spain's social security system
- Information on programs and services for Canadians living abroad
- Information on contributing to the Canada Pension Plan while working abroad and contact information for the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
Note: The Agreement
This page contains general information on the Convention on Social Security between the Governement of Canada and Spain and may not describe all the provisions that apply to your situation. If you have any questions, please contact us. In the case of a discrepancy between this page and the Agreement, the wording and provisions of the Agreement will prevail.
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