Assistance for large families in 2020

Since 1960, birth rates in Spain have continued to experience a significant decline year after year, reaching historical lows. In 2018, the number of births recorded was the lowest since data collection began in 1941. However, the number of large families in our country reached nearly 700,000, a 3% increase compared to 2017.

This implies that around 700,000 families have 3 or more children, since a large family is considered to be one with at least 3 children. However, in terms of large families, there are two categories:

-General: those who have 3 or 4 children

-Special, which includes: families with 5 or more children, families with 4 children if at least 3 of them are born through birth, adoption, or permanent foster care, and families with 4 children when the per capita income of the family unit does not exceed 75% of the current annual IPREM, including extraordinary payments.

State aid for large families

The increase in children also entails an increase in expenses, so in order to help these families and promote motherhood in our country, the state It offers certain advantages to families who have a valid large family card:

- A 45% bonus on Social Security contributions when hiring someone to care for children and the home. The requirement for families in the general category is that both parents must work, while this condition is not required for families in the special category.

- Increase in the income limit to be eligible for the economic allowance from Social Security for children under 18 years old: €18,532, in cases where there are 3 dependent children, increasing by €3,002 for each additional child from the fourth child onwards, including this one.

- Monthly advance payment of income tax deductions for taxpayers who are part of a large family. In the case of those in the general category, up to 1,200 euros per year and up to 2,400 euros per year for those in the special category. The amount of the deduction will increase by up to 600 euros per year for each child exceeding the minimum number of children required for a family to qualify as a large family in the general or special category.

- Extension of the period considered as contributed time and of the job reservation in case of leave of absence for childcare (this will be extended up to a maximum of fifteen months for a large family of general category, and up to a maximum of eighteen months for a special category).

- Preferential rights to obtain scholarships, a 50% reduction (for the general category), or exemption (for the special category) from fees and public prices in the field of education (enrollment, exams, issuance of titles and diplomas).

- Right to subsidy for special educational needs associated with disability for transportation and meals.

- 20% or 50% discounts on road, rail, and sea transportation fares (depending on the category). These bonuses can be combined with other established discounts.

- 5% or 10% discount (depending on category) on domestic airfares.

- Preference rights in accessing leisure activities offered by IMSERSO (social tourism and thermalism) and discounts on the fees to be paid.

- Discounts on prices for state museums, auditoriums, and theaters.

- Housing benefits such as access to financial assistance or priority access to subsidized housing.

- Social bonus on the electricity bill consisting of a 25% discount for large families on the total consumption of 4,140 kWh. This discount will apply for the duration of the corresponding large family certificate without the need for annual renewal. However, if the annual income of the family unit is equal to or less than 2 times the IPREM in 14 payments (€15,039.18 in 2019), the discount will be 40% as they will be considered severely vulnerable consumers.

- Exemption from paying fees for the issuance or renewal of the National Identification Document (DNI) and Passport for members of large families.

- Access to support measures for large families in situations of vulnerability regarding their primary residence (Social Housing Fund and other protective measures for families facing difficulties in mortgage debt payments).

Regional and local assistance for large families

Large families can also find assistance at the regional and local levels, which should be consulted with the corresponding authorities. Here are some of the aids provided by autonomous communities and local governments:

- Reductions in property transfer tax

-Bonus on Real Estate Tax

- Up to 20% discounts on the water bill

-Discount on sports facilities