Spanish seniors living abroad aged 65 and over will be eligible to join IMSERSO trips linked to the Marea Granate movement, which organized this group’s advocacy, as clarified by the Minister of Social Rights, Ione Belarra.
Belarra, in a formal letter, confirms that the tours will include all citizens aged 65 and over, regardless of the Social Security system from which they retired. The Seniors Institute will apply this criterion widely, extending access to those living abroad as part of the policy expansion.
The official overseeing Social Rights and the 2030 Agenda notes that in recent months both her department and the Ministry of Inclusion and Migration have been reviewing requests from associations based abroad that seek to participate in these leisure programs.
Per the travel order, beneficiaries who are insured under the Spanish Social Security system and are 65 or older are eligible, including Spaniards residing in other countries under the rights recognized in the Statute of Spanish Citizenship Abroad.
The statute states that the state will broaden protections for Spaniards abroad and their families, and that Social Security and public authorities will take the necessary steps to strengthen social services and promote activities aimed at ensuring comprehensive welfare.
Belarra explains in the letter that the IMSERSO Social Tourism program operates as a social service, and the expansion of this service is designed to be complementary to Social Security.
The letter also notes that this measure can help maintain essential connections for those living overseas, with the primary aim of supporting healthy aging among the current expatriate population and ensuring that all citizens of the country can achieve this goal.
The government is working on the articulation of participation, with plans indicating that the arrangement will likely mirror the approach used by Spaniards abroad in coordination with the relevant Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Social Security. It is emphasized that participation outside the country has reservations tied to the recent schedules for 2022 and 2023.