Attendance and absences: what Spanish schools expect

Terms used

• Jefatura de estudios — The jefatura de estudios is the school's head of studies, who oversees attendance records and discipline.
• Protocolo de absentismo escolar — The protocolo de absentismo escolar is the regional step-by-step procedure schools follow when a pupil has repeated unjustified absences.
• Orientador — The orientador is the school counsellor who meets families and supports pupils with attendance or other difficulties.
• Fiscalía de Menores — The Fiscalía de Menores is the public prosecutor's office that handles cases involving children.

Key rules

• Compulsory age: Schooling is compulsory from age 6 to 16, whatever your residence status.
• Who to tell: Justify absences to the class tutor, not only to the office.
• Deadline: Aim to justify within 3 to 5 school days of your child's return, or on the day if the school asks.
• Region: Thresholds, channels and sanctions differ by region, so ask your school.

Justify every absence to the school

Every absence in compulsory schooling must be justified to the school. Schooling is compulsory from age 6 to 16, whatever your nationality or residence status. If absences pile up without justification, the school must follow a regional protocol. That can end in reports to the authorities.

Who you tell and how

Tell the class tutor. You do this as parent or legal guardian. Schools accept one of three channels:

• a signed note
• the school's own form
• the school's online platform or app

Each school and region chooses its channel, so ask on the first day which one it uses. The tutor records the absence. The head of studies (jefatura de estudios) oversees the records.

For a medical or long absence, attach a supporting document, such as a doctor's note. The template note below gives you wording for the simple cases.

How fast

Absences are usually justified to the class tutor within 3 to 5 school days of your child's return. Some schools want it on the day your child comes back. Ask the tutor for the exact deadline. The region and the school set it.

Absences you do not justify in time are recorded as unjustified. They count towards the absenteeism protocol.

What the absenteeism protocol looks like

Every region has its own protocol (protocolo de absentismo escolar). The stages are usually similar:

1. The tutor records the absences and contacts you.
2. The head of studies or the school counsellor (orientador) meets you. You may be asked to agree to a written commitment.
3. If absences continue, the school reports the case to local social services or the municipal absenteeism committee.
4. After that, the case can go to the regional education inspectorate. In serious cases it can go to child protection services or the public prosecutor for minors (Fiscalía de Menores).

The trigger differs by region. A common one is unjustified absence on roughly 20 to 25 percent of school days in a month. In some regions it is about 5 or more days in a month. Ask the school which threshold applies where you live.

What can happen if it continues

Social services may offer a support plan. Parents may face administrative action. In extreme cases there can be a criminal complaint for abandoning family duties, though prosecutions are rare. In some regions, benefits or support tied to school attendance can be affected.

If the school contacts you

Reply quickly and go to the meeting. Early contact usually ends the matter. Silence is what pushes a case to the next stage.

Timeline and deadlines

• Ask the school or tutor what deadline and channel it uses to justify absences: at the start of the school year

• Justify the absence on the day your child returns if the school asks for it: on the day of return

Check the exact deadline with your child's school, as regions and schools set their own.

Checklist

• Ask the school how it wants absences justified: signed note, its own form, or its online platform or app.

• Ask the tutor for the school's deadline for justifying an absence.

• Justify each absence to the class tutor within 3 to 5 school days of your child's return, or sooner if the school asks.

• Attach a supporting document, such as a medical note, for longer or medical absences.

• Reply quickly and attend the meeting if the head of studies or counsellor contacts you about absences.

• Ask the school which absence threshold starts the protocol in your region.

What to watch out for

• Unjustified absences are reported: Persistent unjustified absence leads the school to report the family to local social services and the education inspectorate. Justify every absence to the tutor on time and answer any call from the school.

• The case can reach child protection or the prosecutor: In serious cases the case goes to child protection services or the public prosecutor for minors (Fiscalía de Menores). Meet the head of studies early and keep to the written commitment you agree.

• Parents can face sanctions: Parents may face administrative action, and in extreme cases a criminal complaint, although prosecutions are rare. Some regions may withdraw benefits tied to attendance. If your child must be away for a long time, talk to the school first and bring supporting documents.

Template note to justify an absence

Fill in the blanks and send this note to your child's class tutor (the tutor or tutora). Many schools have their own absence form, so ask the school first. If they have one, use it instead.

Attach any supporting document, such as a medical certificate. You can add a contact phone number if you like.

Asunto: Justificación de falta de asistencia

Estimado/a tutor/a:

Yo, [nombre y apellidos del padre, madre o tutor legal], con DNI/NIE [número],
le comunico que mi hijo/a [nombre completo del alumno/a], del curso y grupo
[por ejemplo, 3.º B de Primaria], no pudo asistir a clase
el día [fecha] / los días [fecha de inicio] al [fecha de fin].

Motivo de la ausencia: [por ejemplo, estuvo enfermo/a con fiebre; cita médica; asunto familiar].

Adjunto [justificante médico / ningún documento].

Teléfono de contacto: [número]

Atentamente,

[Firma del padre, madre o tutor legal]
Fecha: [fecha de la nota]

Before you send it

• Write the child's full name, the class or year group, the date or dates, and the reason. These are the details schools expect.
• Sign and date the note. A note without a parent or guardian signature may not be accepted.
• Keep it short. One or two sentences about the reason are enough.

Frequently asked questions

Who do I give the absence note to?

You give the absence note to your child's class tutor, the teacher in charge of the class.

What happens after the school starts the absenteeism protocol?

The school first contacts you, then the head of studies or school counsellor meets you and asks for a written commitment.

Can unjustified absences lead to a criminal case?

Yes, in extreme cases parents can face a criminal complaint for abandoning family duties, but prosecutions are rare. Before that, the case usually goes through social services, which may offer a support plan.

How many unjustified absences start the protocol?

The protocol usually starts at unjustified absence of around 20 to 25 percent of school days in a month. Some regions start it at about 5 or more days in a month. Ask the school which trigger your region uses.