The dependent child allowance will continue to be in force in 2026 for thousands of families in Spain who already had it recognized before the implementation of the Minimum Vital Income (IMV). This is reported in the Official State Gazette (BOE), which confirms the continuity of this benefit within the transitional regime, as long as the economic and family requirements are maintained.
The updating of the amounts will be automatic and will not require new procedures for current beneficiaries.
What does the child benefit look like and how much is it in 2026?
The dependent child allowance is a financial benefit for households with children under the age of 18 that was granted for years as part of the social protection system prior to the IMV. For 2026, the general amount stands at €588 per child per year, equivalent to about €49 per month.
In households with lower incomes, the aid is increased to 637.92 euros per year per child, slightly more than 53 euros per month, according to the regulations published in the BOE (Official State Gazette). These amounts seek to alleviate the expense of raising a child and are adjusted to the income level of each family.
Economic requirements: income limits to continue receiving assistance
To maintain the right to the benefit in 2026, family income cannot exceed certain thresholds. In the case of non-large families, the annual limit is set at €15,356 and, for large families, the ceiling amounts to €23,109 per year, with an additional increase of €3,745 for each child from the fourth onwards, including this one.
These limits make it possible to adapt the assistance to the economic reality of each household and recognize the greater financial effort faced by families with more dependent children.
Incompatibility with the IMV and who can continue to receive it
The dependent child allowance does not admit new applications since the entry into force of the Minimum Vital Income: only those families who were already beneficiaries and who have not been granted the IMV can continue to receive it in 2026. Both benefits are incompatible, so they cannot be received simultaneously.
Social Security reminds that any change in income or family composition must be reported, as failure to comply with the requirements may lead to the return of the amounts unduly received.
Which option is best for each family
This assistance is part of the system prior to the MVI and is maintained as a means of protection for those who already received it. The Minimum Living Income, on the other hand, is now the main benefit for vulnerable households that did not previously receive this assistance, and usually offers higher amounts depending on income and family composition.
Each family can assess which option is more beneficial according to their financial situation. In the case of large families, the regulations contemplate higher income limits and additional supplements, although they can also opt for the MVI if it is more favorable for them.
