Religion class (clase de religión) and first communion: your options

Terms used

• Matrícula — The matrícula is the school enrolment form, where you state your child's religion choice.
• Concertada — A concertada is a privately run school that receives public funding.
• Ideario — The ideario is a school's statement of its educational and religious character, which you accept when you enrol.
• Catechesis — Catechesis is the parish's weekly religious preparation, usually two years, before first communion.

Key rules

• Religion class: Religion is voluntary in law, and the religion grade does not count for university admission, scholarships or the average mark.
• Changing your choice: You can change the choice at the start of a school year by telling the school in writing, but mid-year changes are generally not allowed.
• Communion: First communion needs baptism and usually two years of parish catechesis, and it is separate from school.
• Invitations: You can decline a classmate's communion party politely.

The short answer

Religion class is your choice, and you can say no. First communion is not a school matter at all: it is a parish event with its own steps. Many classmates take part, so your child may meet it socially even if you opt out.

Religion class at school

Public schools must offer religion, but your child does not have to take it. Pupils who do not take it get no graded alternative. The school may provide educational attention, which is not assessed and does not count for the record. The religion grade does not count for university admission, scholarships or the average mark.

All pupils take a values subject (Valores cívicos y éticos in Primary, Educación en valores cívicos y éticos in ESO) in one year of the stage. Each region decides how the non-religion time is organised, so ask the school what it does. Religion in Bachillerato is offered only where the school provides it.

Islamic, Jewish and Evangelical classes have a legal right to exist, but they are rare. Islamic teaching exists in a few places, such as Ceuta and Melilla, Andalusia, Aragon, the Basque Country and Castilla y León, and only in small numbers. You ask for it in writing at enrolment. Schools usually offer it only when enough pupils want it. Catholic religion is available almost everywhere.

Concertada and private schools

A concertada school is privately run but publicly funded. Concertada and private schools may have a Catholic ideario, the school's stated religious character. By choosing the school you accept it. Expect religion as a regular subject, plus masses, prayers and pastoral events.

Religion is still voluntary in law. In practice, a school may expect attendance because the ideario is part of the contract. You can ask for an exemption, but practice varies. Read the ideario and the enrolment contract before you sign. Private schools have more freedom than concertada ones. Concertada schools cannot refuse admission on religious grounds.

How and when you choose

You state the choice on the matrícula, the enrolment form, when your child first enters the school. You tick Catholic religion, another confession with an agreement, or no religion. You are usually asked again at the start of each stage or when your child changes school.

You can change the choice at the start of a school year by telling the school in writing, usually in June or July. Mid-year changes are generally not allowed. In Bachillerato, pupils over 18 decide for themselves. Dates and forms differ by region and school.

First communion

First communion is usually at age 9 or 10, in the third or fourth year of Primary. Preparation is catechesis in the parish: usually two years of weekly sessions, with a first confession before the ceremony. Ceremonies are mostly in April to June, in groups.

Baptism is required. An unbaptised child must be baptised first, normally after catechesis. Parishes may ask for a baptism certificate and for parents to attend meetings. Requirements vary by parish and diocese, so ask yours early.

The social side

Classmates are often invited to the celebration, and not always to the church ceremony. Invitations usually come a few weeks ahead, often through the family or the class group. Guests normally bring a gift, typically 20 to 50 euros or a small present. Cash and gift cards are common, and classmates often pool gifts.

You do not have to go. Declining politely is accepted. If you decide not to attend, a short, friendly reply is enough.

If you host, families spend from a few hundred to several thousand euros on the meal, outfit, photos and venue. Set a budget first. Costs vary by region and guest numbers.

Choosing

You can decide each part separately. Your child can skip religion class and still go to classmates' parties. Your child can take religion class without doing communion. Doing communion means catechesis and, if needed, baptism. The decision, timeline, documents and checklist below help you work through the choice.

Choosing between options

Should your child take religion class at school?

• Take Catholic religion: You want your child to follow the class, which every school must offer and which is voluntary.

• Take another confession's class: You want Islamic, Evangelical or Jewish teaching and your school can offer it once enough pupils ask in writing.

• Choose no religion: You do not want religion. There is no graded alternative, so the school may give unassessed educational attention, and all pupils take the civic and ethics subject.

Religion is your choice, made on the enrolment form. The religion grade does not count for university admission, scholarships or the average mark, so the choice rests on your values, not on results.

Timeline and deadlines

• State religion or no religion on the enrolment form: when your child first enters the school, or at admission

• Change the choice by telling the school in writing: before or at enrolment, usually in June and July, for the next school year

• Know that mid-year changes are generally not allowed: during the school year

Documents you need

• Baptism certificate from the parish where your child was baptised, which a parish may ask for before first communion.

• Enrolment contract of a concertada or private school with a religious ideario, which you read before signing to see what it asks of your child in religion class and activities.

Checklist

• Ask your parish when catechesis starts, as it usually runs two years with weekly sessions before first communion at about age 9 to 10.

• Arrange baptism first if your child is not baptised.

• Decide whether your child will attend classmates' celebrations, knowing that invitations usually arrive a few weeks ahead.

• Set a gift budget for invitations, typically 20 to 50 euros or a small present, and ask the class group whether gifts are pooled.

• Set a budget before you host, as families spend from a few hundred to several thousand euros on the meal, outfit, photography and venue.

Frequently asked questions

Can a concertada school make my child attend religion class?

Often yes in practice, because a concertada school with a Catholic ideario (its stated religious character) treats it as part of the school you chose. The law says taking religion is voluntary, so you can ask for an exemption, but practice varies by school.

Can my child take Islamic, Jewish or Evangelical religion classes in a public school?

Yes, you have the right to ask, but classes are available only in a few places and are rare for Evangelical and Jewish teaching. Islamic teaching exists in places such as Ceuta and Melilla, Andalusia, Aragon, the Basque Country and Castilla y León. Ask the school in writing at enrolment; classes usually run once enough pupils ask.

Does my child need to be baptised for first communion?

Yes, baptism is required before first communion, and an unbaptised child must be baptised first, normally after catechesis begins.

Do I have to go to a classmate's communion party?

No, attendance is not obligatory, and declining politely is accepted. If you go, a gift of about 20 to 50 euros or a small present is normal, and classes often pool gifts.