School costs and aid in the Comunitat Valenciana

Terms used

• Xarxa de Llibres — Xarxa de Llibres is the Valencian free textbook scheme, in which schools lend books to pupils each course.
• Comedor — The comedor is the school canteen, which serves lunch for a daily price.
• Concertada — A concertada is a privately run school that receives public funding.
• Beca — A beca is a study grant, such as the state grant for students.

Key rules

• Textbooks: Books are free in public and concertada schools if you return them in good condition.
• Comedor price: The Conselleria sets one daily canteen price each course, and low-income families can get full or partial help.
• Private fees: International schools charge full private fees, so ask for the written fee list before you commit.

What to budget for

In the Comunitat Valenciana, public school costs come down to three things: textbooks, the school canteen and extras. Concertada and international schools add fees on top. Plan around the three headings below.

Textbooks: Xarxa de Llibres

Textbooks are free in public and concertada schools under Xarxa de Llibres, the Valencian free textbook scheme. It covers Primary, ESO, special education and FP Básica.

• The school lends you books from its book bank at the start of the course.
• You return them at the end of the course.
• You pay nothing if you look after them and return them in good condition. You may have to pay for lost or damaged books.

Most families join through the school, often automatically. If your child is new or changing schools, ask the secretary's office which steps to follow. The education department (Conselleria d'Educació) sets the details in a yearly instruction, so check the current course's rules with it.

School canteen (comedor)

In public schools the Conselleria d'Educació sets one daily comedor price for every pupil each course. It is usually a few euros a day. Ask the school or the Conselleria for the current figure before you budget.

Low-income families can get full or partial help (ayuda or bonificación). Income limits change each year. Some groups, such as families receiving the renta valenciana de inclusión, may get a free comedor. Free comedor has been extended in recent years, so ask whether your child qualifies.

You apply through the school or online, on a yearly call. The call usually appears between June and October, so look for it as soon as your child has a place.

Concertada and international schools

Concertada schools are privately run but publicly funded. They take part in Xarxa de Llibres, so books are free there too. Many still ask for monthly contributions for activities or services, so ask for the full list of charges before you enrol.

International schools are fully private. They charge tuition, enrolment and often uniform and transport fees. In Valencia and Alicante this is the most expensive option. Ask each school for its written fee list and compare it with the free public route.

When to act

Admission for the next course in Valencia usually opens in April to May. Results come in May to June and enrolment in June to July. Dates change each year, so check the calendar of the regional education department. The state study grant (beca) call is usually published in spring or summer, and applications often run to October. The timeline below shows the order of steps, and the questions below cover textbooks and the comedor.

Timeline and deadlines

• Apply for a school place for the next course: In Valencia, admission usually opens in April to May, and the request period lasts a few weeks.

• Wait for the admission results: Results usually come in May to June.

• Enrol your child at the school: Enrolment usually takes place in June to July.

• Look for aid calls for books, canteen and study grants: These are mostly published between June and October.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to pay for textbooks in Valencian public schools?

No, in the Xarxa de Llibres scheme textbooks are lent free to pupils in Primary, ESO, Educación Especial and FP Básica in public and concertada schools. You may have to pay for books you lose or return damaged. Books are handed out at the start of the course and returned at the end.

How do I join Xarxa de Llibres if my child is new to a school?

You sign up through the school, and most families join automatically. If your child is new or changing schools, ask the school office which steps you need to complete.

Can I get help paying for the school comedor in Valencia?

Yes, low-income families can get full or partial help with the comedor (school canteen), and some groups, such as families getting the renta valenciana de inclusión, may get it free. The income limits are set each year.