Madrid has opened applications for school meal subsidies for the 2026/27 academic year. The regional budget for this purpose has been increased to €75.4 million, and the list of eligible categories has been expanded. Now, not only low-income families are entitled to assistance, but also military personnel, law enforcement employees, and large families with an income of up to €10,000 per person per year.
Who is eligible for support
The subsidies are intended for students in kindergartens, primary and secondary schools funded by the government. The main requirement is a family income not exceeding €8,400 per member per year. However, for large families, the threshold is increased to €10,000, though the amount of aid for them will be 30% of the meal cost. Full reimbursement will be provided to families receiving Renta Mínima de Inserción or Ingreso Mínimo Vital, as well as victims of violence, terrorism, children in foster care, refugees and those affected by the war in Ukraine. Military personnel and police officers follow a separate rule: they receive the subsidy regardless of income, provided their children attend public schools in the region.
Application process and new procedures
Applications are accepted until May 28 through the official portal, the Cuenta Digital system, as well as in schools and public institutions. To speed up the process, electronic forms have been introduced, which automatically select the necessary documents depending on the family’s situation. All adult family members must sign the application, and to confirm the right to subsidy renewal, a declaration of unchanged conditions is required. The Cuenta Digital system now has automatic checks that reduce the risk of errors, as well as the ability to sign documents via SMS, making it possible to complete the entire procedure online.
Change in the structure of recipients
Despite a record overall increase in the number of families receiving support, the number of subsidies for the most vulnerable decreased by 40%: from 4,305 in 2024/25 to 2,561 in 2025/26. At the same time, the number of military and law enforcement families receiving benefits continues to grow: over the year, this increased by 36%, from 10,747 to 14,587. This is due to the fact that no income threshold is set for this category, and it is sufficient to apply within the deadline.
Context and details
After the decision was published in the region’s official bulletin, the Madrid authorities emphasized that the new electronic tools are intended to simplify the process for families and reduce the burden on schools. For those who already received the subsidy last year, it is possible to extend it if their conditions remain unchanged. All information on the required documents and procedures is available on the Comunidad de Madrid portal.
