Spain introduced a major update affecting internships and academic placements from January 1, 2024. Through Royal Decree-Law 2/2023 and related Social Security guidance, many students carrying out internships (prácticas) must now be included in the Spanish Social Security system.
If you manage Erasmus+ mobilities, coordinate internships at a university or vocational school, or host trainees in Spain, this guide explains what changed, who is covered, who is exempt, and how to stay compliant without creating unnecessary administrative burden.
Key takeaway: The rule primarily impacts students enrolled in Spanish institutions. There is an official clarification that inbound international students from foreign institutions doing internships in Spain under their home programme are not covered by this obligation.
— Based on official guidance (see sources at the end)
What you’ll learn
- What Royal Decree-Law 2/2023 changed and why it matters.
- Which students must be registered in Social Security from 2024.
- How this impacts Erasmus+ traineeships (outgoing vs. incoming).
- Who is responsible for registration and compliance.
- Where to find official sources and institutional FAQs.
- Practical implications for universities, VET centres, and host companies.
- Financial considerations and contribution reductions.
- Common risk areas and how to avoid delays.
- A quick compliance checklist you can apply immediately.
- References to the Erasmus+ Programme Guide for traineeships.
1) Legal framework: what changed from January 1, 2024
Royal Decree-Law 2/2023 introduced a key legal addition to Spain’s General Social Security framework (the DA 52ª), establishing that students completing prácticas formativas or prácticas académicas externas within training programmes are included in the Social Security system starting January 1, 2024.
In practical terms, this reform formally connects many internship periods to Social Security coverage and contribution records, even when the placement is unpaid.
2) Scope of application: who is covered
The Social Security inclusion generally applies to:
- University students undertaking internships linked to official degrees (Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate) and certain university-specific qualifications.
- Vocational training (VET) students in standard training pathways (with exclusions in specific intensive models depending on the programme structure).
Included:
Curricular academic internships and training placements integrated into recognised education programmes.
Still evolving:
The operational treatment of some extracurricular internships can depend on institutional implementation and current guidance.
3) Crucial clarification for international student mobility (Erasmus+ inbound to Spain)
One of the most important points for international mobility offices and host companies is the official clarification that the 2024 Social Security inclusion does not apply to:
- International students from foreign universities or foreign vocational training centres
- Who come to Spain to complete internships as part of their home institution’s educational programme
This clarification helps Spanish host organisations avoid unnecessary registration steps for inbound Erasmus+ students whose training relationship remains anchored in a foreign institution.
4) Impact on Erasmus+ traineeships: outgoing vs. incoming
Outgoing Erasmus+ traineeships (Spanish institutions → abroad)
- The rule applies to students enrolled in Spanish institutions, even if the traineeship happens in another country.
- The entity financing the programme may be responsible for fulfilling Social Security obligations for this purpose.
- Special situations (such as “Beca 0”) may still require Social Security inclusion.
Incoming Erasmus+ traineeships (foreign institutions → Spain)
- Official guidance clarifies that inbound international students from foreign institutions are generally not covered by this obligation.
- Host organisations should still ensure proper documentation (Learning Agreement / training agreement, insurance, and onboarding documentation).
- When in doubt, confirm the student’s home institution and programme basis before assuming registration duties.
5) Financial implications: what about contributions?
Official guidance around implementation includes substantial reductions on contribution costs, and public institutions have addressed the administrative handling in different ways. In practice, the financial burden is often reduced significantly, but the administrative obligation (registration, communication of internship days, and correct recordkeeping) remains the main operational challenge.
Universities may centralise the process to reduce friction for host companies, particularly for unpaid placements.
6) What universities, VET centres, and host companies should do now
Operational checklist
- Classify the internship correctly: curricular vs. other training placement.
- Confirm whether the student is enrolled in a Spanish institution or a foreign one.
- Define who is responsible for Social Security steps (institution vs. host).
- Align dates in the Learning Agreement / internship agreement with the registration dates.
- Keep proof of coverage and the applicable legal basis on file.
- Create a standard email template explaining the rule and exemptions to partners.
- Build a “documents pack” for host companies (training plan, contacts, incident protocol).
- Set deadlines internally: registration must be done before internship start.
- Maintain a short exception flow for unusual cases (recent graduates, Beca 0, dual training).
- Use official sources as your single point of truth for updates.
7) Erasmus+ Programme Guide: where it fits
The Social Security reform sits alongside Erasmus+ requirements, not instead of them. The Erasmus+ Programme Guide remains the primary reference for mobility conditions, eligible activities, and traineeship fundamentals, including opportunities for current students and recent graduates.
FAQ
Does this apply to all Erasmus+ students doing internships in Spain?
Not necessarily. The obligation primarily affects students enrolled in Spanish institutions. There is specific guidance indicating the rule does not apply to inbound international students from foreign institutions completing internships in Spain under their home programme.
Does this apply to unpaid internships?
Yes, the framework includes unpaid placements as well. Implementation may differ by institution (some universities assume the administrative process).
Do host companies always handle Social Security registration?
Not always. Some universities manage this centrally, especially for unpaid internships, to reduce friction for host organisations. Confirm your institutional policy.
Does Social Security replace private insurance for Erasmus+?
No. Insurance requirements remain a separate compliance element under Erasmus+ and institutional policies.
Sources and official references
-
Spanish Official Gazette (BOE) — Royal Decree-Law 2/2023
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SEPIE — Informative note on Social Security contributions for students in internships (includes international mobility clarification)
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Social Security — Boletín de Noticias RED 09/2023 (6 July 2023), implementation guidance for internship inclusion from 1 Jan 2024
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Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF) — Student FAQs on Social Security inclusion for internships
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European Commission — Erasmus+ Programme Guide 2024 (PDF)
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European Commission — Erasmus+ traineeships abroad overview
Internal note (optional for your site): If you host Erasmus+ interns in Spain and want to confirm whether Social Security registration applies to a specific case, document the student’s sending institution, programme type, and legal basis for the placement. This reduces compliance risk and avoids duplicate procedures.
