When can I order the €200 cheque?

The Tax Agency has already published in its electronic Headquarters the tab to get the €200 cheque. This aid will be paid in a single payment by bank transfer.

On 27 December, the Council of Ministers approved the third aid package to alleviate the economic and social consequences of the war in Ukraine. The measures include a cheque for 200 euros to correct the rise in food prices (15.3% in November), which will benefit around 4.2 million families with annual incomes of up to 27,000 euros and who do not have assets of more than 75,000 euros, although pensioners and recipients of the Minimum Vital Income are excluded, as their pensions and benefits will continue to be revalued by 15%.

In addition, the government also decided to reduce VAT from 4% to 0% on all staple foods – such as milk, eggs, fruit and vegetables, bread and pulses – and from 10% to 5% on basic products such as oil and pasta, but left out meat and fish. However, the rebate will be reversed on 1 May if core inflation (excluding food and energy) falls below 5.5%.

Those requesting the cheque only have a month and a half to apply, between 15 February and 31 March 2023, and must do so at the Tax Agency’s electronic headquarters; see below for the link. In fact, the agency has already enabled in its Electronic Headquarters the tab where families can apply for this aid and check the status of their application.

Who is the €200 cheque aimed at?

To salaried, self-employed or unemployed people registered at the employment offices who do not receive other social benefits, such as pensions or the Minimum Vital Income.

What requirements do beneficiaries have to meet?

They must have received a full income of less than 27,000 euros per year and have assets of less than 75,000 euros. The habitual residence is excluded from the calculation of assets.

The calculation of income and assets will be made by adding together those of the family members living in the same household: the applicant, his/her spouse or common-law partner, descendants and ascendants up to the second degree.

The income and assets of people who share a flat without having a family relationship will not be added together.

Beneficiaries must be habitually resident in Spain.

Who cannot apply for the € 200 cheque?

People who, on 31 December 2022, receive the Minimum Vital Income, or pensions paid by the General Scheme and the Special Social Security Schemes or by the State Pensioners’ Scheme, as well as those who receive similar benefits recognised but not included in these schemes.

The legal administrators of a commercial company who have not ceased their activity by 31 December 2022.

How to apply and what to do if you are refused aid.

The application must be submitted at the E-Office of the State Tax Administration Agency by filling in the electronic form made available and which must necessarily include the bank account of the holder of the application into which the payment is to be made, as this cheque for €200 will be received by bank transfer in a single payment. Applicants will not need to provide further documents, as the tax authorities will check whether the income and wealth requirements are met.

The decree also specifies that in the event that the application is rejected, the applicant will be notified of a proposed rejection, which will indicate the details necessary to consult the reasons for the rejection at the Tax Agency’s electronic headquarters. The applicant will then have a period of 10 days from the day following the notification of the proposed refusal decision to present any arguments and submit any documents and supporting documents that he/she considers relevant.

Once a period of one month has elapsed, counting from the day following notification of the aforementioned proposal, without the presentation of allegations, documents or supporting documents, the procedure will be terminated in accordance with the terms of the rejection proposal, without the need for an express resolution by the Administration. And, once a period of three months has elapsed from the end of the period for submission of the application without payment having been made and without notification of a proposal for rejection, the application may be deemed to have been rejected.