Spain equates single-parent families with large families in new decree

Spain's government will approve a royal decree-law on Tuesday to expand social rights and benefits for various family models. The measure focuses on households headed by a single parent and creates an official state-level recognition for single-parent families.

Single-parent households with at least two children will enjoy the same rights and benefits as large families. The equivalence will also apply to two-child households where one parent has a recognized disability of 33 percent or higher.

“Raising a child alone should not mean doing so without support.”

The current legislation required a disability level of 65 percent for such equivalence, so the new threshold will considerably expand the pool of potential beneficiaries. The decree also changes the classification of large families.

Access to the special category will be facilitated starting with four children instead of the five previously required. Families with three children whose income does not exceed 150 percent of the IPREM per family member will also be included in that category.

According to Ministry of Social Rights estimates, the measures could reach nearly three million people in more than 760,000 households. A single mother with two minor children and net annual income of 24,000 euros will be able to deduct 100 euros per month once recognized as a large family.

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said on X that raising a child alone should not mean doing so without support. Social Rights Minister Pablo Bustinduy called the approval one of the legislature's major objectives.