Back-to-school expenses: trends and dynamics
Ahead of the new school year, Spanish families are once again tallying up the costs of getting their children ready for classes. In 2025, the average bill for necessary purchases has reached €422.05, which is 1.59% higher than last year. While this increase may seem minor, costs have risen by almost 15% over the past seven years. The main reasons are the rising prices of textbooks, the need to update school supplies, and the introduction of digital learning formats, including e-books and hybrid licenses.
On average, parents will have to spend €6.62 more per student in September compared to the previous year. However, the final amount depends on the type of school, education level, and region of residence. The highest expenses are typically for primary school students, as well as for private and semi-private schools, where cost differences can be significant. Inflation and the need for regular updates of school materials force many families to plan their budgets in advance or look for additional ways to save.
Textbooks and uniforms: main expense items
The main driver behind rising expenses is the increase in textbook prices—this year, they went up by 2.33%. The cost of school uniforms also rose, but less significantly—by 0.98%. On average, a uniform set costs €229.79, while textbooks amount to €192.26. Price fluctuations by education level are notable: in kindergartens, book prices increased the most—by 4.55%. In primary schools, the rise was 2.25%, and in secondary schools—1.52%. Kindergartens saw price hikes across all types of schools, whereas in secondary schools, the biggest increases were in public institutions.
Rising prices are driven not only by inflation, but also by an expanded list of required materials, especially for subjects outside the core curriculum. This results in additional expenses for parents.
Regional differences: where it is most expensive to prepare a child for school
Significant spending differences are observed between autonomous communities. The highest costs are recorded in Madrid—€481.30 per student. It is followed by Catalonia (€462.67) and Navarra (€456.45). The lowest amounts are seen in Extremadura (€391.52), Castilla-La Mancha (€397.94), and Galicia (€398.87). These differences are explained not only by the prices of textbooks and uniforms, but also by the presence or absence of regional support programs and free materials.
In some regions, such as the Valencian Community, costs increase due to the high proportion of private schools, even though free textbooks are provided for primary and secondary students. Additional expenses arise in regions with two official languages, where more teaching materials are needed. In many cases, the rise in spending is not due to the price per unit but the need to purchase a greater number of books.
Comparison of textbook and uniform prices by region
In the Valencian Community, the average cost of textbooks is €242.16, the highest figure in the country. Next are Catalonia (€210.50), Madrid (€205.28), and Navarre (€205.17). The lowest prices are found in Castilla-La Mancha (€178.60) and Extremadura (€179.88), where robust textbook reuse programs are in place.
The cost of a uniform depends on the school’s policy, the number of required clothing items, and the place of purchase. On average, a set bought in a store costs €208.98, while purchasing directly from the school comes to €250.61. In Catalonia, the difference is particularly noticeable: at the school, a uniform can cost over €300, but in a store it’s around €215. This is due to unique colors, embroidery, and exclusive design elements. Nationally, the average price is €230, but in Catalonia, Navarre, and Madrid, it exceeds €245. In Extremadura, Galicia, and Castilla-La Mancha, prices remain below the national average.
