Accreditation of experience

Spanish Social Security pensioners residing abroad must periodically prove that they are living abroad within the first quarter of the year. 

They can do so with the free VIVESS mobile application, based on biometric facial recognition and available for Android and Apple.

VIVESS allows pensioners of the National Social Security Institute and the Social Marine Institute living abroad to provide proof of life from anywhere in the world and without having to travel.

Once you have completed the proof of life using this application, you will receive immediate proof of completion of the procedure and a subsequent confirmation from the INSS (or the ISM, if applicable).

In addition, pensioners can use VIVESS to carry out other procedures such as:

• Change the method of payment of their pension and/or their address details.
• Send the certificate of accreditation of their tax residence.
• Obtain the IRPF certificate.

Alternatively, you may send to the Provincial Directorate of the INSS (or of the ISM, if applicable) a proof of life issued by the Consular Civil Registrars, or by the competent institution of those countries of residence with which there is an international standard of coordination in Social Security matters. More information on this link.

You can also provide proof of life by appearing in person or online before the Regional Ministries or Sections of Labour, Migration and Social Security.

More information on the Regional Ministries on this link.

A number of questions about the VIVESS mobile application have been published under Frequently Asked Questions , which may clarify the most common queries about how it works. They will be updated to include those that arise.