While a large part of the population is focused on summer vacation, Thousands of retirees and pensioners are already eyeing the Imserso's new travel campaignwhich will start in the off-season. The organization has confirmed that it will activate the extension of the current contract for the 2026-2027 season, so the program will continue with virtually the same rules as the previous year.
According to a statement from the Institute for the Elderly and Social Services, attached to the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumption and Agenda 2030The next campaign will repeat the number of places, the main economic conditions and the new features that were recently launched, such as the reduced rate for pensioners with fewer resources and the possibility of traveling with pets.
Contract extension and program budget
The Imserso has decided to implement the extension provided for in the tender documents from the previous tender, so that The travel contract will be extended for another season without major changesThe total amount of the campaign is around 60 million euros (around 58,6 million according to some official sources), a figure intended to finance part of the real cost of the tourist packages.
With this decision, the institute guarantees the continuity of one of the Europe's oldest social tourism programsCreated in the 80s to promote active aging and support the tourism sector during off-peak months, the Ministry emphasizes that the goal is to allow older people to continue enjoying affordable vacations and to help hotels maintain occupancy and employment outside of the traditional peak season.
How many places will there be and how are the lots distributed?
The offer remains unchanged for the 2026-2027 season: 879.213 places distributed throughout the Spanish territoryNo expansions or reductions are planned compared to the previous campaign, so the volume of travelers will remain very similar.
The program is structured in three large blocks or lotswhich group the different types of travel. Lot 1 corresponds to peninsular coastal tourism (Andalusia, Catalonia, Region of Murcia and Valencian Community), with approximately 440.284 places. The Lot 2 covers the island coastThat is, the Balearic and Canary Islands, with 228.142 places. Finally, the Lot 3 is dedicated to short break and inland tourism, with 210.787 places allocated to cultural circuits, nature and provincial capitals, in addition to some trips originating in Europe.
Management is divided between two large temporary joint ventures (UTE). Social Tourism —comprised of BTravel Accessible Tourism and Halcón Travel (Ávoris group)— will continue to lead the peninsular coast and getawaysThat is, from lots 1 and 3. For its part, Mundicolor —formed by IAG7 Viajes, World 2Meet and Next Continental Holdings— will continue to manage the island coast in lot 2.
The original documents stated that A single contractor could not control both large coastal blocks (lot 1 and lot 2) to ensure greater competition. This limitation remains in place in the extension, as does the approximate financial allocation: around 26 million for lot 1, almost 20 million for lot 2, and about 12,7 million for lot 3.
Calendar, registration and reservation of places
Although the contract extension has already been decided, The specific dates for registration and booking will be detailed in the coming months.The process, in any case, will follow the usual scheme: first, the period opens for beneficiaries to update their data or register for the first time, then the applications are assessed, and finally, the marketing of the trips begins.
Last year, The sales period began around OctoberAnd everything points to the schedule being very similar. Before that date, Imserso usually sends millions of informational letters to those registered—in the previous campaign, around 2,8 million letters were sent to just over 4 million registered people—so they can confirm whether they want to participate and report any changes.
The reservation can be made electronically, through the Imserso electronic headquartersor in person, at Social Security offices or authorized travel agencies. The allocation system combines the order of application with priority criteria (disability, not having traveled in previous seasons, age, etc.), so that an attempt is made to balance the access of new users with the demand of those who repeat.
Once the places have been allocated, the marketing phase begins, in which pensioners choose their destination, dates, and type of trip from the available options. It is possible that, as in other campaigns, new opportunities arise in the form of freed-up positions due to cancellations or resignations, especially in destinations with lower demand.
Prices for Imserso trips for 2026-2027
One of the things users look at most is price. The extension means that The rates in force in the 2025-2026 campaign will be maintained.This includes the price increases that were introduced at that time compared to previous seasons. That review resulted in average increases of between 18% and 47%, depending on the type of trip and the season chosen.
Furthermore, The differentiation between low season and high season is consolidated within the program itself.In many cases, the same stay costs around €100 more if booked during the peak months for the Imserso program. The €100 surcharge for traveling during peak season and an additional €100 for second and subsequent trips within the same campaign also remain in place.
Despite these increases, the packages remain heavily subsidized compared to the general tourism offer. The final price paid by the pensioner covers transport (if included), full board accommodation, travel insurance and basic activities, while the public body assumes the rest of the cost.
How much does it cost to travel: examples of fares by destination
The price range for 2026-2027 is wide. The cheapest option costs around 132,91 euros, corresponding to a 4-day (3-night) getaway to provincial capitals in the off-season. At the opposite extreme, The most expensive trip costs around 564,72 euros for a 10-day (9-night) stay in the Canary Islands with transport during peak season.
In Peninsular coast with transport included (Andalusia, Catalonia, Murcia and the Valencian Community), the indicative prices are as follows:
- 10-day stay (9 nights): about 309,22 euros in low season and 409,22 euros in high season.
- 8-day stay (7 nights): around 244,04 euros in low season and 344,04 euros in high season.
If you opt for the Peninsular coast without transportThe amounts decrease somewhat when traveling independently:
- 10 days (9 nights): around 270,39 euros in low season and 370,39 euros in high season.
- 8 days (7 nights): about 224,63 euros in low season and 324,63 euros in high season.
In the block of island coast to the Balearic Islands with transportPrices are approximately:
- 10 days (9 nights): 353,37 euros in low season and 453,37 in high season.
- 8 days (7 nights): 285,29 euros in low season and 385,29 euros in high season.
Meanwhile in Balearic Islands without transport The rates are around:
- 10 days (9 nights): 270,52 euros in low season and 370,52 euros in high season.
- 8 days (7 nights): 224,36 euros in low season and 324,36 euros in high season.
For island coast in the Canary Islands with transportThe prices are the highest in the Imserso catalog:
- 10 days (9 nights): 464,72 euros in low season and 564,72 in high season.
- 8 days (7 nights): 378,75 euros in low season and 478,75 euros in high season.
If the trip to The Canary Islands trip does not include transport.The cost drops to around 270,39 euros in low season and 370,39 euros in high season for 10 days (9 nights), and 224,28 euros in low season and 324,28 euros in high season for 8 days (7 nights).
In the section getaway tourism, which includes cultural tours, nature tours and trips to Ceuta and Melilla, the reference prices are:
- 6-day (5-night) cultural tours: 312,51 euros in low season and 412,51 euros in high season.
- 5-day nature tourism (4 nights): 305,75 euros in low season and 405,75 euros in high season.
- Visits to provincial capitals for 4 days (3 nights): 132,91 euros in low season and 232,91 in high season.
- Stays in Ceuta and Melilla of 5 days (4 nights): 305,75 euros in low season and 405,75 euros in high season.
Flat rate of 50 euros for pensioners with fewer resources
One of the most striking elements that are becoming established is the Reduced fare of 50 euros per trip for pensioners with very low incomesThis option, introduced in the previous campaign, remains unchanged for 2026-2027 and is intended for those who have the most difficulty affording a holiday.
In total, the program reserve 7.447 specific places For people receiving benefits equal to or less than the amount of non-contributory disability or retirement pensions from Social Security. Those in this group will always pay 50 euros per trip, regardless of the destination or length of stay.
That fixed amount covers accommodation, full board, travel insurance and return transport when it is included. The rest of the cost is covered by Imserso, which allows beneficiaries to access stays that, in the conventional tourism market, would be unaffordable for many budgets.
With this measure, the program aims to to genuinely expand access to social tourism for the most vulnerable groupspreventing the lack of income from excluding precisely those who could benefit the most from a few days of rest and togetherness.
Traveling with pets: conditions and limits
The other major new development that is taking hold is the possibility of travel with pets in certain modalitiesThe program will continue to allow users to bring pets on trips to the mainland coast and the islands, always under very specific conditions.
In the In lots 1 and 2, approximately 2% of the places will be reserved for travelers with animals.This represents a specific allocation for those who don't want to be separated from their pet during the holidays. To access these spaces, the animal must weigh a maximum of 10 kilos, including the carrier.
Hotels participating in this modality must comply with regulations on animal housing and ensure suitable living conditions and hygiene. The user, for their part, assumes responsibility for the animal's care throughout the journey and must respect the internal rules established by each establishment.
This initiative was created to respond to a growing demand among older people, who often consider their pets to be another member of the family. Furthermore, Imserso emphasizes that The companionship of animals has positive effects on physical and emotional health of the older ones, something that has been taken into account when designing the program.
Social objectives of the program and profile of beneficiaries
Beyond the numbers, Imserso insists that the program has a clear social and public health vocationThe central idea is to make it easier for older people to maintain an active life, socialize and get out of their usual environment, which has an impact on their emotional well-being and autonomy.
The program is primarily aimed at Social Security pensioners over 60 years of ageas well as pensioners from civil service pension schemes and other special schemes (MUFACE, MUGEJU, ISFAS) who meet the established requirements. In many cases, beneficiaries can travel accompanied by their spouse or registered partner, even if they are not a pensioner or do not reach the minimum age, provided the program conditions are met.
The Ministry is placing emphasis on the concept of active agingThis encompasses both social participation and access to leisure and tourism. These trips are considered to help prevent isolation, promote moderate physical activity, and break routines that, at certain ages, can become very rigid.
The program not only benefits direct users. For the tourism sector, especially in coastal and inland destinations with less international appeal, The Imserso campaigns provide a boost to demand during the off-season.allowing hotels, restaurants and complementary services to remain open that might otherwise close outside of the summer.
Minimum quality standards for hotels and obligations of companies
The contract extension maintains the already known quality requirements. All hotels included in the program must have at least a three-star rating. and offer a standard of service tailored to the specific needs of older people.
Among the obligations are the leisure and free time activities offer For travelers, this includes access to information on active aging, healthy habits, and elder abuse prevention. This content is typically offered in the form of brochures or informational materials distributed during their stay.
The renewed contract also includes a system of Strengthened penalties for companies that fail to meet standards established by Imserso, both in terms of service quality and adherence to agreed-upon conditions. The goal is for users to have the most consistent experience possible, regardless of the destination.
The tender documents also include the obligation for the successful bidders to Distribute proportionally 36% of the places in each lot throughout all the months of the campaignThis condition is designed to prevent excessive concentration of travel in a few weeks and to reinforce the deseasonalization of tourism.
Deseasonalization, employment and the situation in areas with greater difficulties
One of the program's strategic objectives, beyond its social function, is to support the Spanish tourism sector during the off-season.By requiring hotels to spread their rooms throughout the season, they are encouraged not to focus their activity on two or three specific moments, but to maintain staff and services for a longer period.
This approach is especially relevant in coastal areas that live almost exclusively from tourism, but also in inland destinations that have opted for cultural or nature circuits geared towards older people. By having a guaranteed flow of travelers in autumn, winter and spring, many establishments can better weather the drop in general demand.
However, the model is not without its challenges. In places like Ibiza and Formentera have detected additional difficulties in accessing Imserso tripsThis is mainly due to the reduction in direct departures and the contractual obligation to concentrate departures in provincial capitals. The Minister of Social Rights himself has acknowledged these barriers and indicated that they will work with the winning bidders to "overcome" these obstacles and facilitate the participation of residents of the Pitiusas Islands.
The government insists that the social tourism program is a "flagship" of social policy And that, despite the criticisms and necessary adjustments, efforts will be made to continue strengthening it and adapting it to the new demographic and tourism realities of the country.
Pending confirmation of dates and minor details, the next season of Imserso trips appears to be largely unchanged: Places, reference prices, special quotas for pensioners with fewer resources, and the option to travel with pets remain the same.as well as the quality requirements and the staggered allocation of places to sustain employment and activity in the tourism sector. This scenario offers certainty to those who are already regular participants in the program and sets the course for those considering joining for the first time.