El Ingreso Mínimo Vital llega a 800.000 hogares en diciembre en los que viven cerca de un millón de niños, niñas y adolescentes 

The Minimum Vital Income (IMV) has reached 799,553 households in December in which 2,441,647 people live, according to the latest statistics published by the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration. Of the group, almost one million are boys, girls and adolescents, specifically 993,843. The average amount of the benefit has been 483.1 euros per month per household. And overall, the current payroll has amounted to 412 million euros. In this year 2026, the amount of high benefits will be revalued by 11.4%, as foreseen in the Royal Decree-Law that includes the revaluation of pensions of the Social Security system, of State Passive Classes and of other public benefits for 2026. This is a response to the provisions of Royal Decree-Law 2/2023 and recommendation 15th of the Toledo Pact, which seeks to guarantee the adequacy of pensions, with the objective of making them dignified and sufficient. In 2026, the revaluation of the amounts of the IMV will be 11.4%, well above the CPI. The fight against severe poverty is our priority, especially for children, and in that fight, the Minimum Vital Income plays a very important role, so it must have a dignified amount that allows us to move to a better situation,” said Minister Elma Saiz.

At the end of 2025, there were 125,824 active benefits more than a year before, that is, the number of sheltered households has increased by 18.7%. This percentage is similar to the increase in the number of beneficiaries, which has added 19.2% (393,892) since December 2024.

Both due to the characteristics of the holders and the beneficiaries, we can say that the IMV has a strong female profile, where 68% of the holders (543,397) and 53.5% of the beneficiaries are women, in particular,1,305,250.

Since its inception in 2020, the IMV has protected about 3.4 million people. Currently, 40.7% of the beneficiaries are minors, which means 993,843 children and adolescents protected by this benefit. In December, more than two thirds of the families covered by the IMV (547,234 households, 68.4% of the total) live with minors. Of these, 134,672 are single-parent households.

The Child Support Supplement (CAPI) strengthens IMV coverage with additional support for each dependent child. In December, 563,272 households received the ICSC, with an average aid of 68.5 euros per child and 126.4 euros per household with children. This benefit establishes different amounts according to age: 115 euros per month for children under 0 to 3 years; 80.5 euros between 3 and 6 years; and 57.5 euros between 6 and 18 years.

The CAPI can be perceived independently of the IMV, since it has broader income thresholds. Así, además de proteger a familias en situación de pobreza severa, alcanza a hogares con rentas bajas o moderadas. For example, it can be requested by a family of two adults and two minors with incomes of up to 3,755 euros per month, which significantly extends the scope of the network of protection against child poverty.

The Minimum Vital Income and young people

The average age of the beneficiaries of the IMV is 28.4 years, which is an important support for young people in situations of exclusion. With the exception of IMV holders, the age drops to 20.1 years.

“Aware of the specific difficulties of the youngest, we have incorporated improvements in the IMV that facilitate access to the benefit when they are in a vulnerable situation,” explains Elma Saiz. For example, people over the age of 18 or emancipated minors with dependent sons or daughters may apply for help. And the period of independent living has been reduced for young people under 30 years of age, from 3 to 2 years.

General requirements to apply for the IMV

The Minimum Vital Income is a Social Security benefit that guarantees a minimum level of income to households in vulnerable situations and that was launched more than five years ago. It is configured as a subjective right, adapted to the reality of each unit of coexistence, and constitutes a key instrument in the fight against poverty and social exclusion.

To apply for the IMV, it is necessary to have resided in Spain legally, effectively and continuously for at least the previous year. Residence is demonstrated by the registration in the central register of foreigners in the case of Community and Swiss citizens, or with the corresponding authorization in the case of persons from third countries. The domicile in Spain is verified with registration certificate, and the unit of coexistence is demonstrated by the family book, civil registration certificates or padronal data.

In addition, both the applicant and the rest of the members of their household must be in a situation of economic vulnerability, since they do not have sufficient income or patrimony.

The IMV is compatible with income from work and provides incentives to favor labor insertion and improve the living conditions of families.

Also, the new system of double review of income implemented allows families to know in advance the updating of their allowance. As a result, since May, beneficiaries already know whether, depending on the income of the previous year, their benefit will be increased, reduced or extinguished.