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Nearly 200,000 cut-price spa holidays available for pensioners in Spain in 2026
Older people can enjoy 10-day thermal spa breaks from just €302 at 75 centres across Spain
We might still be in the thick of the autumn/winter discount trips for older people, but the Imserso Tourism Scheme, a hugely popular initiative offering cut-price, off-peak holidays across Spain to pensioners, already has its eyes on next year. The 2026 Imserso Thermal Spa Programme has officially begun.
This time around, the Institute for the Elderly and Social Services is offering 197,000 places on what it’s calling Thermalism 2026, which is 3.4% more than last year. That means plenty of retirees and pensioners can look forward to some well-deserved relaxation at one of 75 thermal centres dotted throughout Spain.
When can you apply for Thermalism 2026?
There are two application periods if you fancy signing up for the Imserso Thermal Spa Programme. The first period covers stays from February to August next year and runs from November 4 to December 4, 2025. The second period is for stays from September to December and remains open until May 15, 2026.
If all the places get snapped up, don't worry. Retirees can register on a waiting list to fill any spots that become available due to cancellations or other circumstances.
For the February to August session, you'll have until May 14, 2026 to join the waiting list. For the September to December session, the deadline is October 31, 2026.
How to apply for a place at Imserso spas
Retirees have two straightforward ways to apply. The first and most recommended option is to do it online through the Imserso website. The best bit is you don't need any electronic authentication like Cl@ve, an electronic certificate or electronic ID. You simply fill out an online form with your personal details, your preferred spas and when you'd like to travel.
The other option is to download the application form from the Imserso electronic headquarters website and send it in a stamped envelope to Imserso Thermalism Programme, PO Box 61.285 28080 Madrid.
You can also submit it in person to the Imserso General Directorate in Madrid, the Ceuta Territorial Directorate, the Melilla Territorial Directorate or other offices designated by the autonomous communities.
Requirements to participate in Thermalism 2026
To take part in the Imserso 2026 Thermalism Programme, retirees need to meet certain requirements. You must be one of the following:
- A retirement or permanent disability pensioner of the Spanish Social Security System.
- A widow's pensioner aged 55 or over from the Spanish Social Security System.
- A pensioner for other reasons or receiving unemployment benefits or subsidies aged 60 or over from the Spanish Social Security System.
- An insured person or beneficiary of the Spanish Social Security System aged 65 or older.
- On top of that, pensioners must also be able to perform basic daily living activities independently, need the requested thermal treatments and have no medical contraindication for receiving them, and achieve the score required under the established scoring system to access one of the requested spas and shifts.
In addition, participants can bring along their spouses, registered partners or those with whom they have a stable relationship, or their children with a disability of 45% or more.
Prices of spas and services included
The price of the Imserso 2026 Thermal Spa Programme varies depending on which spa you choose and what month you go. Rates range from €302.14 to €452.90 per person and the included services are pretty comprehensive.
You'll get accommodation in a shared double room with full board, a medical examination when you arrive at the spa for the prescription of treatment, the thermal treatment prescribed by the spa's medical staff, and medical monitoring throughout your treatment. There are also leisure and free time activities offered by the spa at no extra cost, plus an insurance policy.
Which spas can you visit with the Imserso programme?
Each stay in 2026 will last 10 days, that's nine nights, from 12pm on the day you arrive until 12pm on the day you leave. Full board is included throughout.
The participating spas are spread right across Spain.
Andalucia
• Almería: Alhama de Almería (Balneario de San Nicolás).
• Cádiz: Chiclana (Balneario de Chiclana).
• Granada: Alhama de Granada (Balneario de Alhama de Granada), Villanueva de las Torres (Balneario de Alicún De Las Torres), Graena (Balneario de Graena) and Lanjarón (Balneario de Lanjarón).
• Jaén: Canena (Balneario de San Andrés).
Aragon
• Zaragoza: Alhama de Aragón (Balneario de Alhama de Aragón y Balneario de Termas Pallares), Jaraba (Balneario de La Virgen) and Paracuellos de Jiloca (Balneario de Paracuellos de Jiloca).
• Teruel: Ariño (Balneario de Ariño), Manzanera (Balneario de El Paraíso) and Segura de los Baños (Balneario de Segura de Baños).
• Huesca: Panticosa (Balneario de Panticosa) and Vilas de Turbón (Balneario de Las Vilas del Turbón).
Cantabria
Alceda: (Balneario de Alceda), Caldas de Besaya (Balneario de Caldas de Besaya) and Liérganes (Balneario de Liérganes).
Castilla y Leon
• Burgos: Valle de Valdebezana (Balneario de Corconte).
• León: Caldas de Luna (Balneario Caldas de Luna).
• Salamanca: Retortillo (Balneario de Retortillo) and Vega de Tirados (Balneario de Ledesma).
• Zamora: Almeida de Sayago (Balneario de Almeida La Dama Verde).
Castilla-la Mancha
• Albacete: Reolid - Salobre (Balneario de Baños Benito y Balneario de La Esperanza), Villatoya (Balneario de Baños de la Concepción) y Yeste (Balneario de Tus).
• Ciudad Real: Fuencaliente (Balneario de Fuencaliente) and Santa Cruz de Mudela (Balneario de Cervantes).
• Guadalajara: Trillo (Hotel balneario de Trillo-Carlos III).
• Toledo: Villafranca de los Caballeros (Balneario de Las Palmera).
Catalonia
• Barcelona: Caldes de Montbuí (Balneario de Broquetas).
• Lleida: Caldes de Boí (Balneario de Caldes de Boí) and Rocallaura-Vallbona de les Monges (Balneario de Rocallaura).
• Tarragona: Comarruga (Balneario de Comarruga), Montbrio del Camp (Balneario de Termes Montbrio) and Vallfogona de Riucorb (Balneario de Vallfogona).
Valencian Community
• Castellón: Montanejos (Balneario de Montanejos) and Villavieja (Balneario de Villavieja).
• Valencia: Cofrentes (Balneario de Hervideros de Cofrentes and Confluent Health Resort) y Requena (Balneario de Fuentepodrida).
Extremadura
• Badajoz: Alange (Balneario de Alange) and Puebla de Sancho Pérez (Balneario de El Raposo).
• Cáceres: Baños de Montemayor (Balneario de Montemayor), Hervás (Balneario El Salugral), Montánchez (Balneario Fuentes del Trampal) and Valdastillas (Balneario de Valle del Jerte).
Galicia
• A Coruña: Brión (Balneario de Santiago de Compostela) and Carballo (Balneario de Baños Viejos).
• Lugo: Guitiriz (Balneario de Guitiriz), Lugo (Balneario de Termas Romanas), Palas de Rei (Balneario de Río Pambre) and Pantón (Balneario de Augas Santas).
• Ourense: A Arnoia (Balneario de Arnoia), O Carballiño (Balneario de Carballiño), Laias-Cenlle (Balneario de Laias) and Lobios (Balneario de Lobios).
• Pontevedra: Caldas de Reis (Balneario de Acuña y Balneario de Dávila), Caldelas de Tui (Balneario de Caldelas de Tui), Cuntis (Balneario de Termas de Cuntis), A Toxa (Balneario Isla de La Toja), Mondariz (Balneario de Mondariz) and Villa de Cruces (Baños da Brea).
La Rioja
• Arnedillo (Balneario de Arnedillo) and Cervera del Río Alhama (Balneario de La Albotea).
Murcia
• Archena (Balneario de Archena) and Fortuna (Balneario de Leana).
Navarra
• Elgorriaga (Balneario de Elgorriaga) y Fitero (Balneario de Fitero).
Basque Country
• Guipúzcoa: Zestoa (Balneario de Cestona).
• Vizcaya: Areatza (Balneario de Areatza) and Karrantza Harana (Balneario de Termas de Molinar).
Also of interest: Pensioners in Spain: Your double Christmas bonus payment is on the way
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