El Ingreso Mínimo Vital protege a 2,6 millones de personas de las que más de un millón son menores 

The Minimum Vital Income (IMV) payroll in April reached 846,454 households, in 581,054 of which minors live together. The benefit protects 2,583,014 people, according to the latest statistics published by the National Social Security Institute (INSS).

The average amount of the benefit is 540.6 euros per month per household and, overall, this month’s payroll has amounted to 497.2 million euros.

In April 2026, there were 126,911 active benefits more than a year ago, having increased the number of protected households by almost 17.7%, a percentage similar to the increase in the number of beneficiaries, which has added 17.7% (388,428) since the same month of the previous year.

Both by the profile of the holders and the beneficiaries, we can say that the IMV has a strong female profile. In April, 68% of the headlines (575,589) and 53.4% of the beneficiaries (1,379,839) are women.

In its almost six years of existence, the IMV has protected more than 3.6 million people (3,609,511), gradually adapting to the reality of households and improving their capacity to respond to situations of vulnerability.

Social investment in children

The IMV has been consolidated as a model in which the protection of children occupies a central place. Currently, 1,052,837 children and adolescents are beneficiaries of the benefit, representing 41 per cent of the total. In cumulative terms, more than 1.6 million minors have been covered since 2020 by the benefit.

More than two thirds of the families receiving the IMV have minors in charge (570,548 households, almost 70% of the total), which shows its direct impact on the reduction of child poverty.

“The Minimum Vital Income is not only a safety net, it is also social investment, since protecting children today is guaranteeing opportunities tomorrow,” says Elma Saiz, Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration.

Family structure and gender inequality

The profile of beneficiary households reveals the relationship between economic vulnerability and family structure. About 142,000 households are single-parent, mostly supported by women who take sole responsibility for bringing forward their children. This reality reflects a greater exposure to precariousness and shows that economic difficulties are concentrated more intensely in this family model.

This reality is also reflected in the whole of the service. 68% of IMV holders are women and more than half of the beneficiaries are women as well. In this context, the IMV acts as a stability mechanism for many families in which women assume the main economic and care responsibility.

In the words of the minister, “it is not only about guaranteeing income, but also offering stability and opportunities, helping families to plan their future with greater security.”

Child Support Supplement

The Child Support Supplement (CAPI) strengthens IMV coverage with additional support for each dependent child. In April, 586,118 households received it, with an average aid of 66.7 euros per child and 121.3 euros per household with children. This benefit establishes different amounts according to age: 115 euros per month for children under 3 years; 80.5 euros between 3 and 6 years; and 57.5 euros between 6 and 18 years.

The ICSC can be perceived independently of the IMV, as 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 4,182 euros per month, which significantly expands the scope of the child poverty protection network.

The Minimum Vital Income and young people

The IMV not only acts as a protection mechanism, but also as an accompaniment tool towards the inclusion of young people. The average age of the beneficiaries, which is 28.5 years - and 20.1 years if the headlines are excluded - reflects their impact on the stages in which working life begins. In this sense, compatibility with work income and incentives to enter the labour market reinforce its role as a lever towards employment.

Precisely, the improvements incorporated into the IMV facilitate access to the benefit for young people in vulnerable situations. 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 for young people under 30 years of age has been reduced from 3 to 2 years.

General requirements for applying for the IMV

The IMV is a Social Security benefit that guarantees a minimum level of income to households in vulnerable situations and that was launched almost six 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, with special attention to minors.

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 certificate of registration and the unit of coexistence is demonstrated by means of 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, as they do not have sufficient income or assets.

In the case of persons who exhaust the unemployment benefit and are unable to return to work, they access the IMV without having to request it or provide new documentation, since the SEPE and the Social Security carry out the recognition ex officio.

Likewise, the incorporation of the double income review system allows families to know in advance the update of their benefit. As a result, since last year the beneficiaries already know whether, depending on the income of the previous year, their benefit will be increased, reduced or extinguished.