ISM automates maritime benefits in 2026: what changes for maritime workers

Key data

The processing of benefits from the Special Regime of Social Security for Maritime Workers is significantly streamlined from June 20, 2026. The ISM Resolution published in the BOE expands the automation of administrative acts, allowing the system to issue procedural communications and resolutions—both favorable and unfavorable—without direct intervention by a civil servant in each file.

The legal basis rests on the article 130 of the General Law of Social Security (LGSS) and article 41 of Law 40/2015 on the Legal Regime of the Public Sector, which enable automated administrative action. The signature of all these acts will be carried out through the qualified electronic seal of the ISM, created in 2021, with full legal validity.

What does this regulation establish?

The resolution expands the scope of automation already existing in the ISM, incorporating into the applications PRESMAR, ALFA and INCA the capacity to generate and issue complete administrative acts in the procedures for the recognition of benefits. Specifically, the system will be able to:

• Issue procedural communications (requests for documentation, acknowledgments of receipt, intermediate notifications).
• Issue favorable resolutions (recognition of the requested benefit).
• Issue unfavorable resolutions (denial of the benefit).

All of this without direct intervention by a public employee in each individual file. The benefits affected by this automation are the following:

The legal validity of these automated resolutions is identical to those issued by a civil servant: the qualified electronic seal of the ISM guarantees the authenticity and integrity of the administrative act.

Economic and operational impact

For maritime workers and their families, the most direct impact is the reduction in resolution times. By eliminating manual intervention in files that meet requirements automatically, the ISM can process a higher volume of applications in less time.

From an operational perspective, the most relevant changes are:

• Faster resolutions: Files that the system can resolve automatically will not wait for manual review.
• Electronic communications signed with seal: Notifications will no longer carry handwritten signatures or personal electronic signatures from a civil servant, but the qualified electronic seal of the ISM (created in 2021). This is legally equivalent.
• Three applications involved: PRESMAR, ALFA and INCA are the systems that execute the automation. Users do not interact directly with them, but they are the engine of the new procedures.
• No changes in access requirements: The regulation does not modify the requirements to access any of the 6 benefits. It only changes the internal process of resolution.

For shipping companies and maritime-fishing sector companies that manage sick leave notices or process benefits on behalf of their workers, automation can reduce uncertainty about timelines and improve forecasting of personnel replacements.

Who does it affect?

• Maritime workers registered in the Special Regime of Social Security for Maritime Workers who request any of the 6 automated benefits.
• Families of maritime workers who process death and survivor benefits or birth and childcare benefits.
• Shipping companies and maritime-fishing sector companies that manage temporary disability leave or pregnancy risks for their crew members.
• Labor management firms and labor advisors who process files with the ISM on behalf of workers or companies in the sector.
• Self-employed maritime workers (self-employed fishermen) who request retirement or permanent disability.

Practical example

A deep-sea sailor who suffers an accident on board and is in a situation of temporary disability submits his benefit application to the ISM. Until now, a civil servant had to manually review the file, verify compliance with requirements and issue the resolution.

With the new automation, the PRESMAR application (or another of the authorized ones) automatically verifies the worker's data, his contribution to the Special Maritime Regime and the medical documentation provided. If everything is correct, the system directly issues the favorable resolution signed with the qualified electronic seal of the ISM, without waiting for a public employee to review it. The sailor receives the electronic notification in less time and can begin to receive the benefit sooner.

The same process applies if the application is denied: the unfavorable resolution is also issued automatically, with the same legal effects and the same appeal procedures as a manual resolution.

What should companies do now?

1. Verify that worker data in the ISM is up to date. Automation works on existing data in the system: errors in contributions, personal data or employment status can generate automatic unfavorable resolutions that later require appeal.
2. Inform workers of the change in communications. Resolutions will no longer carry the signature of a civil servant, but the electronic seal of the ISM. Some workers may confuse these notifications with fraudulent emails. It is advisable to explain the change.
3. Review internal sick leave management procedures. If the company processes temporary disability or pregnancy risk notices, resolution timelines may be shortened. Adapt personnel replacement processes to this new agility.
4. Update contacts with the management firm or labor advisor. If procedures with the ISM are outsourced, confirm that the advisor knows the new operation and is prepared to manage possible appeals against automated unfavorable resolutions.
5. Keep all documentation of applications. In case of automated unfavorable resolution, the timelines and appeal procedures are the same as with manual resolution. Having organized documentation facilitates the challenge if necessary.

Official source

Consult complete regulation in official source

Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-13371