Large-family and single-parent status (familia numerosa): school discounts

Terms used

• Familia numerosa — Familia numerosa is the official large-family status, granted to families with three or more children, or two in some cases.
• Concertado — A concertado school is privately run but publicly funded, and uses the same admission scoring as public schools.
• Comedor — The comedor is the school canteen where children eat lunch.
• Cl@ve — Cl@ve is Spain's online identity system for dealing with public administrations.

Key rules

• Issuer: The region where your family is registered issues the title, and you must renew it when it expires or your circumstances change.
• Residence: You must live legally in Spain. Families living abroad cannot get the title.
• Single parents: A single parent with two children qualifies for familia numerosa.
• Regional rules: Admission points, discounts and income thresholds are set by each region, so check your region's rules.

What the title gives you

A familia numerosa title is proof that your family counts as a large family. Showing it unlocks school discounts and extra priority. Families who are legal residents, EU or non-EU, can get it with the right documents.

Typical benefits, which vary by region and school year:

• Extra points when you apply for a place at a public or publicly funded (concertado) school. In most regions the points are the same for both categories.
• Discounts or priority for school meals (comedor), school materials and transport. These often depend on your income too.
• Lower fees at public universities and official language schools. The special category usually pays no university fees. The general category usually gets 50% off.

Does your family qualify?

You qualify as a general-category family if you have:

• Three or more children.
• Two children, if one has a disability of 33% or more, or if a parent has one.
• Two children as a single parent, or as a widowed parent.

The special category usually covers five or more children, or four with special circumstances such as low income. Check your region's income thresholds.

Children count if they are under 21. They count up to 26 if they are studying. A child with a disability counts at any age. The children must live with you or depend on you financially.

You must live legally in Spain. Families living abroad cannot get the title. If your children were born in another country, you must document the family relationship.

Single-parent families

Spain has no single nationwide status for single-parent families (monoparental). A single parent with two children already qualifies for familia numerosa. Several regions also have their own single-parent recognition or card, with benefits such as admission points, fee reductions and priority for aid. Ask your region's social services department what exists where you live.

Where and how to apply

The region where your family is registered issues the title, through its social services or family department. In Ceuta and Melilla, a state body handles it. Many regions accept applications online with a digital certificate or Cl@ve. Others accept them in person or by appointment.

Each region lists its own documents. The documents list below shows what you usually need. Foreign documents normally need to be legalised or apostilled and translated into Spanish. Start this early, because it can take time.

Keep it valid

You must renew the title when it expires or your circumstances change, for example when a child passes the age limit. Bring the valid title when you apply for school places, so the points count.

Documents you need

• Application form from your region's social services or family department

• ID, NIE or passport of the parents

• Family book (libro de familia) or the children's birth certificates. Foreign documents normally need to be legalised or apostilled and translated into Spanish

• Padrón certificate, the town hall proof that your family is registered where you live

• Proof of studies for children over 21

• Proof of disability, widowhood or separation, where it applies to your family

• Income proof, when you apply for the special category and your case requires it

Frequently asked questions

Can a single parent with one child get familia numerosa?

No, a single parent needs at least two children to get familia numerosa. A single parent with two children qualifies, and so do widowed parents with two children. Some regions also have their own single-parent card with benefits, so ask your regional social services department.

Can I get familia numerosa if my family lives abroad?

No, families living abroad cannot get the title, because it is only for families who live legally in Spain. EU citizens and non-EU nationals with legal residence can both apply.

Do children over 21 still count towards familia numerosa?

Yes, children count up to age 26 if they are studying, and with no age limit if they have a disability. You will need proof of studies for children over 21. Without it, they may not be counted.

What school discounts does familia numerosa give?

Familia numerosa gives extra points in public and concertado (publicly funded private) school admission, set by each region. Many regions also give discounts on school meals, materials and transport. Public university fees are typically reduced by 50% for the general category and 100% for the special category.