Jobless Spaniard Fined €8,500 for Secret Morocco Trips, Loses Unemployment Benefits

The defendant was receiving unemployment benefits for those over 52 and had failed to inform SEPE of his trips to Morocco in 2019. In addition to the financial penalty, the judge decided to withdraw this right from him. Thus, the person concerned will no longer benefit from unemployment benefits. "The fact of not informing the public employment service of your trip abroad constitutes an offense whose sanction is the end of your rights," explains the Spanish Ministry of Labor and Social Economy to La Razon.

The person concerned tried to justify himself before the court, swearing that his repeated trips to Morocco for a total duration of 20 days in 2019 were due to family emergencies. But this argument did not convince the judges who decided that he will no longer be entitled to benefits.

In principle, if an unemployment benefit recipient travels for a period of 15 days, the benefit is maintained. But if the trip lasts between 15 and 90 days, the benefit is temporarily suspended and resumes upon his return, if SEPE is formally informed. Trips of more than 90 days are only allowed for reasons of work, training or cooperation and may result in the possible cessation of the benefit.