The Spanish Government is working to introduce a preliminary version of a universal basic income as soon as possible, to help Spaniards face the economic fallout of the novel coronavirus outbreak in the country.

“This [health] crisis has placed on the table the urgency of a universal basic income, that it is essential and fundamental to guarantee dignity and a minimum purchase power for many Spanish families that are in a desperate situation,” the second deputy Spanish Prime Minister, Pablo Iglesias, said in an interview with national broadcaster TVE on Friday.

“There are people who cannot take advantage of unemployment benefits or furloughs. There are people that have difficulties, today, to go to the supermarket and buy the essential products their family need.”

“It is essential and fundamental to help families that are in a desperate situation,” Iglesias, who is also the Minister for Social Rights, added.

According to reports in Spanish media, this temporary universal basic income would be of around $550 (€500) per month.

Iglesias went on to say it could take a few months to implement a proper universal basic income system in a country such as Spain, which has different benefit systems across each region, so the government in Madrid will put forward plan that will serve as a “bridge” in the meantime.

“This is an urgent matter that we in government are working on and that we hope we can implement as soon as possible,” Iglesias said. “This ‘bridge’ universal basic income is essential.”

Spain has previously announced a €200 billion ($216 billion) aid package, amounting to about 20% of the country's GDP, as it tackles the economic impact of its coronavirus outbreak — the deadliest anywhere in Europe.

The nation registered an increase in unemployment of 302,265 people in March compared to the previous month, according to Spanish Labor Ministry data.