Parents who have children under 26 should know that these young people may still access free health care within the family when certain conditions are met. Specifically, the young person must be under 26 and not be employed. This framework helps families plan for health coverage during transitional periods such as early career starts or job gaps.
The law also requires that eligible young adults stay registered with Social Security while living with their parents, particularly if they lose a job or become legally unemployed. This guidance was issued by the Ministry of Incorporation, Social Security and Immigration through the citizen service account on the Social Security network when a young person begins a job but then stops working. A user seeking clarification was informed that if the young person continues to reside with and be cared for by the family, they may still qualify for health care as a dependent.
Steps to include them
The image shown is from the Social Security site and illustrates the process of including beneficiaries.
When children under 26 start working, they may start contributing to health coverage through their own earnings. If they continue living at home, they can still receive public health benefits while remaining part of the family unit. If they lose their job and are not yet 26, there is a possibility to return to family accommodation and stay covered.
What is the procedure? It is straightforward: a parent should access the Social Security Electronic Headquarters or the Social Security portal, log in, and select the option to reinclude a previous beneficiary. To complete this step, a digital certificate, DNIe, or Cl@ve PIN is required. For users in different regions or countries, similar online portals or identity verification methods are typically available to verify dependent status.
If you have a child, you can now apply for this Social Security benefit, which will be very useful to you.
If none of these identifiers are available, the next option is to visit a Social Security Attention and Information Center to formalize the request.
Note: Regulations and terminology may vary by country. Always check the local government or social security authority for the most current rules regarding dependent health coverage and how to reinclude a dependent in your family plan. Citations: Spain’s Social Security guidance on reincluding beneficiaries, national health coverage policies, and public service portals.