Applications have officially opened for Spain’s hugely popular Imserso holiday programme for the 2026/27 season, giving pensioners access to almost 880,000 subsidised trips across the country.

The application window opened this week and will remain open until July 10.

This year’s programme offers 879,213 places, including beach holidays, island breaks and city escapes, with travel beginning from October.

People who have previously been approved for the scheme do not need to submit a new application unless they wish to update their personal details.

Successful applicants will receive their accreditation letters from the second half of August, containing the code needed to book their holidays.

Bookings are expected to open in September.

Of the total places available, 440,284 are for destinations on mainland Spain’s coastline, 228,142 are for the Balearic and Canary Islands, and 210,787 are for cultural tours and short breaks.

The government has also retained its €50 fixed-price holidays for pensioners on the lowest incomes.

A total of 7,447 places have been reserved under the scheme for people receiving non-contributory retirement or disability pensions, allowing them to travel anywhere in the programme for just €50, with the government covering the remaining cost.

Another measure introduced last season and continuing this year allows travellers to take pets with them on mainland and island beach holidays, recognising the positive impact companion animals have on older people’s wellbeing.

The Imserso programme is designed to encourage active lifestyles and reduce loneliness among older people, while also helping Spain’s tourism industry by keeping hotels and tourism businesses operating during the quieter autumn and winter months.

The initiative supports thousands of jobs each year by extending the tourist season beyond the busy summer period.

How to apply for Imserso holidays

Applications for the 2026/27 Imserso holiday programme are now open and will remain open until July 10.

Anyone applying for the first time can submit their application online through the official Imserso Electronic Office or by downloading the application form from the Imserso website and sending it by post or submitting it through an official public registry.

People who have already travelled with Imserso in previous years do not need to submit a new application unless they need to update their personal details, such as their address or contact information.

Successful applicants will receive an accreditation letter from around the second half of August. This letter contains the personal code needed to book holidays once sales open.

Bookings are expected to begin in September, with the first trips departing in October.