The back to school of 2026 represents a significant economic effort for Spanish families. Textbooks, school supplies, clothing, uniforms, and electronic devices account for a large part of the September expenditure, but the bill multiplies if we take into account the expenses that are maintained throughout the course, such as meals, transportation, extracurricular activities, or the fees of the center.
According to the latest survey by the Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU), equipping a student for the start of the 2026-2027 school year costs approximately 548 euros on average. If all educational expenses for the year are added, the average expenditure rises to 2,484 euros per child, although there are enormous differences depending on the type of school, the educational stage, and the autonomous community.
From 1,294 euros in a public school to more than 8,700 in a private one
The type of center is the factor that most conditions the family budget. According to OCU, studying in a public center entails an average annual expense of 1,294 euros per student, while in a concerted one the figure rises to 3,450 euros.
In private schools, the cost skyrockets to an average of 8,761 euros annually per student. The main difference lies in the enrollments and fees: they represent around 1,681 euros annually in concerted schools and nearly 5,900 euros in private ones.
This does not mean that all families will spend 2,484 euros at the beginning of September. The figure represents the expected expenditure throughout the course, while the bill strictly associated with back to school —books, clothing, supplies, and equipment— is around 548 euros.
Other studies use different methodologies and yield different figures. The Spanish Association of Consumers calculates an initial expense of approximately 635 euros in public centers, 733 euros in concerted ones, and up to 1,849 euros in private ones, including in this last case the enrollment fee.
Books, uniform, and supplies: how much it costs to start the school year
The textbooks continue to be one of the main expenses of September. OCU calculates an average expenditure of about 192 euros per student, although the amount depends considerably on the educational stage and the type of center. In public schools, the estimate is around 161 euros, compared to 237 euros in concerted schools and 302 euros in private ones.
To the books are added around 89 euros in school supplies —notebooks, pens, markers, rulers, or backpacks— and about 224 euros in clothing, uniform, or sports equipment in those households that need to acquire it. When the center also requires a tablet or computer to work during the course, the average expense can add another 236 euros annually.
An analysis by Idealo places the cost of a basic school basket with paper textbooks at 505.16 euros, almost 20% more than in 2022. The comparison shows that, although estimates change depending on the products included, exceeding 500 euros to start the school year has become something common for many families.
Dining and extracurricular activities raise the bill during the year
After September, recurring expenses arrive. The school cafeteria costs an average of 111 euros monthly among families that use this service, while extracurricular activities are around 78 euros per month, according to OCU.
There are also significant differences by type of center. The cafeteria costs around 97 euros monthly in public schools, 133 euros in concerted schools, and 156 euros in private schools. Extracurricular activities cost approximately 70, 86, and 113 euros monthly, respectively.
Other expenses that may arise during the course are excursions and school trips, with an average of about 176 euros annually, as well as fees for parent associations, which are around 43 euros.
Madrid, the community where families spend the most
The place of residence also significantly changes the bill. Families in the Community of Madrid lead the spending, with an average estimate of 3,512 euros annually per student, partly due to the greater weight of private education.
Following is Catalonia, with approximately 2,994 euros per student, while the Comunitat Valenciana reaches 2,190 euros and Andalusia 2,007. In Galicia, the estimated spending is around 1,680 euros, while in Castilla-La Mancha and Castilla y León it moves slightly above 1,500 euros.
How to save on back-to-school
Planning purchases in advance can make a significant difference. OCU recommends first reviewing the materials that are already kept from the previous course before acquiring a backpack, case, clothing, or new materials, thus avoiding duplicating products that are still in good condition.
It is also advisable to check if the school participates in textbook loan or reuse programs. All autonomous communities have some system of free or funded access to books, although the conditions and the educational levels included vary from one territory to another.
Comparing prices between establishments, taking advantage of promotions without buying unnecessary products, resorting to second-hand books and uniforms, and staggering purchases are other options to reduce the initial outlay. OCU also recommends not acquiring all the material in September at once when there are products that will not be necessary until months later.
Scholarships, aid, and deductions also reduce the bill
Before fully assuming school expenses, it is also advisable to review the autonomous and municipal aid for books, meals, transportation, or school supplies, as the conditions change depending on the place of residence and family income.
In addition, there are autonomous deductions for IRPF. Some communities allow deductions for expenses related to textbooks, school supplies, languages, uniforms, or schooling, so keeping invoices and receipts can become an additional saving when it comes time to file the income tax return.
The main conclusion is that there is no single figure to define how much it costs to return to school in 2026. The initial outlay is around 500-550 euros per student, but the actual cost of the entire course is close to an average of 2,500 euros and can easily exceed 8,000 euros in private education. Planning purchases, reusing materials, and reviewing available aid can significantly reduce one of the most demanding bills of the year for families.