In Spain there are around 450,000 families with three or more children. Having a large family (familia numerosa) brings a sizeable rise in all kinds of costs such as increased rent or mortgage on a bigger property, education costs, clothes and shoes. Thankfully, in November 2003, the Spanish government put in place the Ley de la Protección de las Familias Numerosas, which means that there are substantial benefits to claim if you have three or more children. To be legally recognised as a familia numerosa, two parents have to have three children under the age of 21 or, if the children are studying, the age limit rises to 25.
As recently covered in this magazine, the cheque-bebé scheme introduced in November 2007 to assist families with new-born babies, increases for parents having their third child or other subsequent children to €3,500. Parents with three or more children are entitled to reductions of up 45 percent in their social security and an annual payment of €450.76 for the third child, which increases by 15 percent for every subsequent child. There is also help with costs of living ranging from preference in gaining education grants to assistance with school equipment and transportation. Discounts are available of between 20 to 50 percent on family travel by planes, trains and buses, and the law also establishes discounts of up to 50 percent for some leisure activities.
But this assistance isn’t automatic. You are required to present documental proof at the local Social Security office to qualify—you will need to bring: the DNI (Spanish identity card) or NIE (foreign resident umber) of parents; your libro de familia; the tax declaration (renta) from the previous fiscal year; a personal finance statement; the parents’ certificado de empadranamiento (registration) from the local council; and the DNI of any children over 16. You can register from one day after the birth or adoption of the child.
There are also independent companies that provide even more money-saving opportunities for the larger family. The Federación Española de Familias Numerosas runs a Catalan branch, the Associació de Famílies Nombroses, which has offices in Barcelona, Lleida and Terrassa. For just €40 a year you can qualify for money off the products and services of a huge variety of companies, including discounts on certain car models, hotels, supermarkets, mobile phones and insurance, amongst others. You can also use provided facilities like clothes and toy banks. Register on-line to take advantage of these offers.
Associació de Famílies Nombroses de Catalunya: www.fanoc.org
Federación Española de Familias Numerosas: www.familiasnumerosas.org
Ministerio de Trabajo—Social Security department: www.seg-social.es
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