Social security and migration

the spanish experience

Abstract

Spain’s social security system has served as a social tool that has adapted to the transformation of migration flows. From this perspective, it is clear how social security benefits have evolved from primarily supporting Spaniards returning to their country –through instruments such as old-age pensions, unemployment benefits, and extraordinary allowances– To the current approach, which focuses more on incentivising immigration flows. This article analyses this particular role of social security, using Spain as case study. This country is an exceptional example due to the large number of bilateral social security agreements signed with third countries and by the fact of being part of the Ibero-American Multilateral Agreement on Social Security, a pioneering experiment with the objective of guaranteeing the rights of migrant workers and their families.