Books and book schemes when you move region or join mid-year

Key rules

• Loaned books: Scheme books belong to the school, so plan to return them when your child leaves.
• New region: Scheme entitlement does not transfer between regions, so you apply again in the new one.
• Before buying: Ask the new school for its book list and scheme details before you buy a new set.

Scheme rules, eligibility and deadlines differ by region and change, so confirm them with the new school and the regional education department.

Check before you buy anything

Moving region or joining mid-year affects two things: whether your child can use a free book scheme, and whether the books they need match the new school. Check both before you buy again. A full new set can be an avoidable cost.

Books you already have on loan

Books lent through a school scheme belong to the school or scheme, not to you. Expect to return them to the old school before or when your child transfers. Ask the old school what it needs back and when.

Moving to another region

Each region runs its own book scheme, with its own income limits, school types, grades and application dates. Your entitlement does not carry over. You need to apply again in the new region.

If the application period has already passed, ask the new school or the regional education department whether a late application is possible. Do this as soon as you have a school place.

Joining mid-year

Most regions let pupils who enrol late (incorporación tardía) join the scheme. Usually you apply through the school once your child is enrolled. The school then lends books from its pool, if any are left.

If there are no books available, some regions allow a later grant or reimbursement. Keep receipts if you have to buy books in the meantime. Rules differ by region, so ask the school and the regional education department what applies now.

Will the books be different?

Often, yes, at least partly. The state sets the core curriculum and each region adds its own content. Differences are bigger in regions with their own language (Catalonia, Basque Country, Galicia, Valencia, the Balearics). They also show most in social sciences, language, and regional history or geography.

Publishers produce regional editions with different ISBNs, and schools choose different publishers. So a move may mean a different book set and some catching up on content.

What to do, in order

1. Ask the new school for its book list and whether it uses a scheme.
2. Ask the regional education department about the scheme, deadlines and late applications.
3. Return borrowed books to the old school.
4. Only then buy what is still missing. Use the options below to choose your route, and the questions below for quick answers.

Choosing between options

What should you do about books after moving region or joining mid-year?

• Apply to the new region's book scheme: Your child goes to a publicly funded school. Entitlement does not carry over, so apply again, and ask about a late application if the window has passed.

• Borrow from the school's pool: Your child enrols mid-year. The school lends what books remain, and some regions offer a later grant or reimbursement if none are left.

• Buy the new school's book set: No scheme place or books are available. Regional editions have different ISBNs, so get the new school's list first.

Get the new school's book list and ask about the scheme first. Return old scheme books to the previous school. Buy only what the scheme cannot cover.

Frequently asked questions

Will my child need different textbooks after moving to another region?

Yes, usually at least in part, because each region adds its own content to the national curriculum and publishers issue regional editions with different ISBNs. The gap is bigger in regions with their own language and in subjects like social sciences, language and regional history. Ask the new school for its book list before you buy.

Do I have to return scheme books if we move away?

Yes, you usually have to return books lent under a school scheme to the school before or when you transfer, because they belong to the school or scheme. Your entitlement does not move with you.

What if the application window in the new region has already closed?

Ask the new school or the regional education department whether they accept a late application, because some do. Eligibility, income limits and deadlines differ by region. Ask before you buy a full set of books.