A new government scheme in Spain will provide free glasses and contact lenses for children under 16, making eye care more accessible for families across the country.
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Good news for families: If you’ve got kids under 16 who need glasses or contact lenses, you’ll soon have one less thing to worry about. The Spanish government has just announced a new plan to cover the cost of prescription eyewear for children, just in time for the next school year.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez shared the update at a press conference, flanked by Health Minister Mónica García. Their goal? To make sure all kids, no matter their family’s finances, can see clearly at school and at home. It’s part of a bigger push to boost public health and give everyone a fair shot at essential services.

How the free glasses scheme for kids in Spain will work

Let’s keep it simple. The government is setting aside €48 million for the project. Families won’t have to fill out endless forms or wait for a reimbursement. Instead, when you head to an approved optician, up to €100 will come straight off the bill for your child’s new specs or lenses, no fuss, no waiting.

Here’s who can benefit:

Any child under 16 with a diagnosed vision problem
Families who buy their glasses or contact lenses from an optician that’s signed up to the scheme

The whole thing should kick in before the start of the 2025-2026 school year. All you’ll need is a prescription and a visit to a participating optician, easy as that.

Why free glasses for kids in Spain matters so much

Anyone with kids knows how important it is for them to see clearly in class. Struggling to read the board or their books can make learning so much harder—and let’s face it, glasses and contacts aren’t cheap. Eye experts say catching and sorting out vision problems early can make a huge difference, both in school and socially.

This isn’t just about eyesight, either. The government says it’s about fairness and making sure all families get the support they need. No more putting off that eye test because you’re worried about the price tag.

What steps should parents take to get free glasses for their children?

If you’ve got a child who needs new glasses or contacts, keep an eye out for updates from your local optician or health centre as the new school year approaches. The aim is to keep things as simple as possible, so once the programme starts, it should just be a case of getting your prescription and heading to an approved shop.

It’s a welcome bit of good news for families across Spain—and a reminder that sometimes, the government really does come through with something practical for everyday life.

Stay tuned with Euro Weekly News for more news from Spain