Spain is among the most visited countries in the world. It has a high standard of living and a mild Mediterranean climate. Spanish is the fifth most spoken language in the world (534 million speakers in 2022). Spain is also one of the fastest growing economies in the EU.
Spain has pioneered a travel subsidy policy for seniors and retirees, becoming the first European country to do so. The subsidy program covers the costs of travel, meals and hotel stays. The program is organized and managed by the Spanish Institute for Aging and Social Services (IMSERSO). This not only gives seniors the opportunity to experience and explore the world comfortably, but also boosts Spain's tourism industry and economy.
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Spain’s Senior and Retired Travel Grants program has clear and attractive objectives. It aims to encourage seniors and retirees to travel, explore the country and create opportunities to interact with the community. In this way, they can enjoy new experiences, broaden their horizons and create lasting memories.
More importantly, the program also contributes to boosting the Spanish tourism industry, especially in the low season. By creating attractive subsidy packages for seniors, the program helps to increase tourism supply and demand during the off-peak periods, helping to sustain businesses and generate income for the tourism industry throughout the year. This makes the program a win-win for both seniors and the Spanish tourism industry.
Eligible applicants are legal residents of Spain. For foreign retirees, the most common way to obtain residency is to apply for a non-working residence visa through the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs or invest at least €500,000 in real estate, which qualifies for a “golden visa”.
