The Minimum Vital Income (IMV) is a benefit aimed at preventing the risk of poverty and social exclusion of people who live alone or are integrated into a cohabitation unit and lack economic resources to cover their basic needs.

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Minimum Living Income (MMI):

The Minimum Vital Income (IMV) is a Social Security measure that provides a basic level of income to those in a situation of economic vulnerability. It aims to ensure the social and labour inclusion of beneficiaries.

The IMV was introduced in 2020 by Royal Decree-Law, in a context of exigency and necessity as a result of the pandemic. In December 2021 it was consolidated in Law 19/2021, of December 20, establishing the Minimum Vital Income.

According to 2023 statistics from the National Institute of Social Security, the MMI already benefits 735,562 households, equivalent to 2,157,712 people.

Who can benefit from the Minimum Vital Income?
The MVI can be accessed individually or as a member of a cohabitation unit.

The cohabitation units are formed by a group of persons who reside in the same domicile and are united by marriage, domestic partnership, or up to the second degree of consanguinity, affinity or adoption. It also includes persons with whom they live together for reasons of foster care for adoption or permanent foster care. The members of the cohabitation units will have access to the IMV through a single holder who represents them.

In addition to the economic criteria, detailed below, the beneficiaries of the MVI must meet certain requirements, which vary whether they apply individually or as a representative of a cohabitation unit.

In general, individuals at least 23 years of age who are not part of a cohabitation unit and are not married or in a domestic partnership (unless they are in the process of separation or divorce) may be individual MVI beneficiaries. The age requirements or the requirements for initiating separation or divorce proceedings do not apply to women who are victims of gender violence human trafficking and sexual exploitation. In addition, persons between 18 and 22 years of age who come from child protection centres or who are absolute orphans can be individual holders, provided they are not part of a cohabitation unit.

In general, individuals at least 23 years of age who are not part of a cohabitation unit and are not married or in a domestic partnership (unless they are in the process of separation or divorce) may be individual beneficiaries of the IMV.
The age requirements or the requirements for initiating separation or divorce proceedings do not apply to women who are victims of gender violence human trafficking and sexual exploitation. In addition, persons between 18 and 22 years of age who come from child protection centres or who are absolute orphans may be individual holders, provided they are not part of a cohabitation unit. There are other more specific conditions, such as legal residence requirements or having lived independently for a certain time before the application, which can be consulted on the MVI portal.
MVI holders applying for the benefit on behalf of a cohabitation unit must be at least 23 years of age. This can also be done by adults or emancipated minors who have children or minors in their care for adoption or permanent foster care. The application must be signed by all members of legal age, and the applicant will represent the unit in all transactions related to the IMV. As in the previous case, other more specific requirements should be consulted before applying.