Who can participate in the Imserso Tourism Program
The Imserso Tourism Program offers thousands of travel places across durations from four to ten days, with full pension for most itineraries and half board for trips to provincial centers. This season features traditional coastal and island destinations that have long been a staple for seniors, with new openings extending until 2019 and an innovation called “escape tourism” that includes cultural circuits and nature trails. The program is expanding accommodations and increases the share of single rooms, with changes taking effect next month and continuing through June of the following year.
Destinations include eight and ten day options in the Peninsula Coastal Zone covering Catalonia, Andalusia, Murcia, and the Valencian Community. The Costa Insular Zone includes the Canary Islands and Balearic Islands with the same length stays, while the Escape Tourism category offers trips of four to six days featuring ten cultural tours and nineteen nature routes. These journeys also include provincial capitals and visits to Ceuta and Melilla.
Within domestic tourism, the cultural offering grows with literary and musical excursions and theater festivals, enriching the travel experience for participants.
Who is eligible and how can they travel?
Spain-based retirees can join the Tourism Program if they reside in Spain and are connected to a pension. Eligibility extends to widows and other eligible adults aged 55 and over, plus unemployed beneficiaries and those insured by the social security system from age 65. Residents of Spain who meet certain criteria abroad, as well as Spaniards returning from migration who qualify for social security benefits in their country of origin, can also participate.
Participants may be accompanied by spouses, civil partners, or individuals in a stable union or partnership comparable to marriage. They may also travel with disabled children who require shared rooms or pay for separate accommodations when available. The program notes that travelers with parking needs and their companions, other than their children, must manage essential daily activities on their own during the trip.
How to apply and under what conditions
Applications must be submitted electronically first. The submission window opened on June 29 of the prior year and closes on July 25. For paper submissions, applications can be downloaded from the Imserso site and sent through the electronic registry or by mail to the designated address in Madrid. Applications from residents of several European countries can be processed through the relevant ministries in their region. Individuals who were previously accredited to travel do not need to reapply, unless they wish to change any data before the July deadline.
This overview reflects the program’s cross-border considerations and the emphasis on accessibility for eligible seniors, with operational guidance provided by Imserso to ensure smooth participation for those seeking cultural and nature-driven getaways in Spain and nearby regions. [Imserso]