What school textbooks (libros de texto) cost each year

Terms used

• Infantil — Infantil is the pre-school stage for children aged 3 to 6.
• Primaria — Primaria is primary school, for children aged 6 to 12.
• ESO — ESO is compulsory secondary education, for children aged 12 to 16.
• Bachillerato — Bachillerato is the two-year, non-compulsory upper secondary stage that follows ESO, usually for ages 16 to 18.
• Concertada — A concertada is a privately run school that receives public funding.

Key rules

• Not free nationally: Textbooks are not free across Spain; your region decides whether a free book or loan scheme exists.
• Budget by stage: Plan for costs to rise from infantil to primaria, with ESO and bachillerato the highest.
• Reuse: Schools generally may not change textbooks for four school years, so books can be reused.
• School list: Confirm the exact books and any digital licences with the school before you buy.

Are textbooks free in Spain?

No. Schooling is free in the compulsory stages, but textbooks are not free nationwide. Each region decides whether to run a free book or loan scheme, and what it covers and who qualifies differ a lot. So budget for books, then confirm with the school and your region what you will really pay.

What to budget by stage

Costs rise as children move up the school system:

• Infantil (ages 3 to 6) is the cheapest. Books are often not needed. The school may ask for materials instead.
• Primaria costs somewhat more.
• ESO costs more again.
• Bachillerato is often the most expensive stage.

Use these as a ladder, not as exact prices. Costs vary by region, by school and by whether you use a regional scheme. Ask the school for the full list for your child's year, add up the prices, and keep a margin for extra supplies.

Digital licences

Many families in concertada or private schools also pay for digital licences on top of printed books. Ask the school whether you need them and what they cost before you buy anything.

Reusing books

Schools generally may not change textbooks for four school years. That lets you reuse books you already have, buy second-hand or pass them down to a younger child. Exceptions exist, such as a curriculum reform or books that cannot be reused, and each region sets the details. Before you buy, ask the school whether the books will stay the same in the coming years.

When the list comes out

Schools usually publish the book and supply list in June or early July. Look on the school's website, app or noticeboard. Some schools publish in late July, or only in September once the new teachers are confirmed. Applications to public book schemes run around the same time, and deadlines vary by region. Ask your regional education department whether your child is covered.

The checklist, timeline and decision guide below help you plan the steps.

Choosing between options

How should you get your child's textbooks this year?

• Use a regional free book or loan scheme: Your region runs one that covers your child's stage and you apply before the deadline.

• Reuse books you already have: The school has kept the same books, for example from an older child, and they are still usable.

• Buy the books on the school list: No scheme covers your child, or the books are not reusable.

Start with the free scheme if your region has one, then reuse what you can, and buy only what is left on the school list. Schools generally may not change textbooks for four school years, so books often stay usable.

Check the rules and any free book scheme with your regional education department.

Timeline and deadlines

• Look for the book and supply list on the school's website, app or noticeboard: June or early July, at the end of the school year

• Apply to your region's public book scheme if there is one: around the same time as the lists come out; deadlines vary by region

• Buy the books or use the school's book bank: during the summer

Checklist

• Budget a range for your child's stage, since costs rise from infantil to primaria and are highest in ESO and bachillerato.

• Ask your regional education department whether a free book or loan scheme covers your child.

• Check with the school before buying whether the books will stay the same for the coming years, so you can reuse older siblings' books.

• Look for the list in June or early July, and check again in September if it is not out.

Frequently asked questions

Will I have to pay for digital licences as well as books?

Yes, if your child goes to a concertada or private school, because many of these schools charge for digital licences on top of printed books. Ask the school whether the licence is compulsory and what it costs for the year.

Does my region give free textbooks or a book loan scheme?

It depends on your region, because free books and loan schemes are set up by each autonomous community, not by the state.

When should I expect the book list for next year?

Most schools publish the list in June or early July, so you can buy during the summer.

Do I need to buy textbooks for infantil?

Often no, because infantil books are frequently not needed or are replaced by materials the school asks for. Check the school's list before buying anything.