Lump-sum payment of unemployment benefit
Capitalización de la prestación por desempleo (pago único)
What it is
Capitalisation or single payment (pago único) pays out the remaining contributory unemployment benefit in advance to those who want to work as self-employed, join a cooperative or labour company, or invest capital in a commercial company. You must have at least three monthly payments left of a contributory benefit due to total and permanent job loss, not have received the single payment in the previous four years and start the activity within one month of the decision; it is refused if you are already registered as self-employed when applying. As self-employed you can receive what you prove as investment, up to 100 % of the remaining amount, and ask for the rest as monthly payments towards your Social Security contributions. You apply on the SEPE online portal, at the benefits office with an appointment, at a public registry or by administrative post, with a description of the project. Afterwards you cannot receive unemployment benefit again until the capitalised period has passed.
Official wording
No haber cobrado el pago único, en cualquiera de sus modalidades, en los cuatro años inmediatamente anteriores.Official sources
- Where it applies
- All of Spain
Official information
Official sources
When
While you receive the contributory benefit, if at least three monthly payments remain and before registering as self-employed: the application must precede the start of the activity, and is refused if you are already registered as self-employed.
Official wording
Se denegará la capitalización si a la fecha de su solicitud ya existe alta en el régimen de autónomos.Official sources
Steps
Step 1: Check the requirements
Receive a contributory benefit for total and definitive job loss with at least three monthly payments left; not have received the lump sum in the previous four years; and not have combined self-employment with the benefit in the previous 24 months (if you will be self-employed).
Official wording
No haber cobrado el pago único, en cualquiera de sus modalidades, en los cuatro años inmediatamente anteriores.
Official sources
Step 2: Submit the application and project report
With the official form and a report explaining the project and investment, on the SEPE e-office, at the benefits office by appointment, at a registry or by administrative post. You can request it together with the benefit or later.
Official wording
Puedes presentar la solicitud del pago único a la vez que solicitas la prestación contributiva por desempleo, o en cualquier momento posterior
Official sources
Step 3: Start the activity and justify
Start the activity at most one month after the decision and, within a month of payment, provide the SEPE with documents proving the start (for example, self-employed registration) and how the money was used.
Official wording
Iniciar la actividad en el plazo máximo de un mes desde la resolución que conceda el pago único, y siempre en fecha posterior a la solicitud.
Official sources
Documents
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🖨 Printable bilingual document card (you can show it at the counter)
Official sources
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Official sources
FAQ
How much can I get at once?
As self-employed, the amount you justify as investment, including taxes and start-up costs, up to 100 % of the remaining benefit; the rest can be paid monthly towards your Social Security contributions. Up to 15 % may go to advice, training and information.
Official wording
con el límite del 100 % de la prestación que te quede por percibir.Official sources
Is it taxed under income tax?
It is exempt if used for its intended purpose and you keep the activity (or shares) for five years.
Official wording
Las prestaciones por desempleo percibidas en la modalidad de pago único están exentas del impuesto sobre la renta de las personas físicas (IRPF) siempre que se destinen a la finalidad para la que se han concedidoOfficial sources
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