Adults over 23 can claim up to €500 a month, even if living with parents
With housing costs continuing to rise across the Canary Islands, moving out of the family home has become increasingly difficult for many adults. Living with parents, however, does not always mean financial stability. For thousands of people on low incomes, there is a little-known state benefit that could provide vital monthly support.
The Ingreso Mínimo Vital (IMV) is a government benefit that can be claimed even by adults who still live with their parents, provided certain conditions are met.
A benefit designed to prevent poverty
The Ingreso Mínimo Vital is managed by Spain’s Seguridad Social and is aimed at preventing poverty and social exclusion. It is available both to people who live alone and to those who form part of a household, as long as their income and assets fall below set limits.
According to the latest figures from the Ministerio de Inclusión, Seguridad Social y Migraciones, the benefit currently supports more than 2.4 million people across Spain, living in almost 800,000 households. Around one million of those receiving support are children.
How much can you receive?
The amount paid depends on personal and financial circumstances, but in many cases it can be close to €500 per month. Some recipients may receive more if they qualify for additional supplements or have family responsibilities.
The scheme is set to become even more generous in 2026. Social Security Minister Elma Saiz has confirmed that the IMV will rise by 11.4%, which is an increase well above inflation.
Can you claim it if you live with your parents?
One of the most common misconceptions is that living with parents automatically disqualifies someone from claiming the IMV. This is not always the case.
Adults aged 23 or over may apply as individual beneficiaries if they are not legally considered part of the family household for IMV purposes. This generally applies to people who are not married, not registered as civil partners and not classed as belonging to another household unit under the scheme.
In these cases, applicants are assessed individually, even if they share a home with their parents.
Age matters when applying
For applicants aged between 23 and 29, the rules are stricter. They must usually prove that they have lived independently for at least two years before applying, as well as showing legal and effective residence in Spain. However, this requirement does not apply in certain situations, such as cases involving gender-based violence or people who have begun separation or divorce proceedings.
For those aged 30 and over, applicants must show that during the year before applying, they were registered at an address different from that of their parents or guardians. This requirement does not apply if the shared living arrangement ended due to the death of the parents.
Income and savings
As with all IMV applications, income and assets are carefully assessed. The benefit is aimed at people who do not earn enough to meet basic living costs. Depending on the case, financial limits are assessed either individually or by household.
Why it matters in the Canary Islands
In the Canary Islands, where wages are often below the national average and young adults face particular difficulties in becoming financially independent, the Ingreso Mínimo Vital has become an essential source of support.
With the upcoming increase in payments and the gradual expansion of eligibility, the IMV is now firmly established as one of the most important tools available to help reduce economic vulnerability across the archipelago.
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