This week, Spain’s central government approved a new school lunch law that will come into effect across the country in 2025.
The Real Decreto de Comedores Escolares Saludables y Sostenibles (Royal Decree for Healthy and Sustainable School Lunches) is an ambitious move aimed at tackling inequality, poor nutrition, and the rise in childhood obesity.
But, as with many central government mandates in Spain, a key question remains: Will Madrid’s regional government comply—and how consistently will this be applied across different types of schools?
A Quick Summary: What Will Change?
From September 2025, all schools with a lunch service—public, concertado (semi-private), and private—will be required to follow strict new nutritional standards. These include:
- Five healthy meals per week – processed pastries and sugary drinks will be banned from cafeterias and vending machines.
- Mandatory fish (1–3 times/week) and plant-based proteins – to ensure dietary diversity.
- Vegan and religious menu options – schools must offer alternatives for ethical or religious reasons, similar to how they already accommodate allergies.
- More legumes (beans, lentils, peas, chickpeas, peanuts, and soybeans, wholegrains and seasonal veg – with targets like 45% seasonal produce and a minimum of 5% of food sourced organically.
- Limits on fried and processed foods – e.g., no more than one fried dish per week and only one pre-prepared meal per month.
- Free water access – all schools must provide drinking fountains or access to water throughout the day.
The Why: Poor Nutrition and Inequality
Spain is facing a childhood obesity crisis. According to government data, nearly 50% of children aged 6 to 9 from families earning under €18,000 per year are overweight or obese. This is not just about lifestyle choices—it’s about access. Many families cannot afford daily fresh fruit, vegetables, or balanced meals.
The school lunch, therefore, plays a vital role in leveling the playing field. As Pablo Bustinduy, the Minister for Social Rights and Agenda 2030, put it: “The dining hall is a tool for social equality.”
But What Have School Lunches Looked Like Until Now?
Despite national dietary guidelines, compliance has been patchy. Each autonomous region controls its own implementation, and many schools rely on private catering companies with limited oversight. According to the government’s own audit:
- 1,200 school lunch services never serve fish.
- 14% of schools don’t serve legumes even once per week.
- 70% of vending machines fail to meet nutrition standards.
Even within the same neighbourhood, lunch quality can vary widely between schools. Some offer freshly prepared meals with local produce. Others rely heavily on reheated, processed food.
A Client Story: No Vegan Meal? Pick up and drop off x2
Two years ago, I worked with a family relocating to Madrid from the US. Their child, raised on a fully plant-based diet for religious reasons, was set to attend a public school in the city.
We quickly hit a wall: not a single public or concertado school in the district would accept their dietary request. The answer was the same every time: “Lo sentimos, no lo contemplamos.” (“Sorry, we don’t allow that.”). In fact, some schools even suggested that the child’s diet was unhealthy (!).
On their behalf, I contacted every school in the area—public, semi-private, and private. Only one private international school was willing to guarantee a 100% vegan meal.
We quickly hit a wall: not a single public or concertado school in the district would accept their dietary request. The answer was the same every time: “Lo sentimos, no lo contemplamos.” (“Sorry, we don’t allow that.”). In fact, some schools even suggested that the child’s diet was unhealthy (!).
On their behalf, I contacted every school in the area—public, semi-private, and private. Only one private international school was willing to guarantee a 100% vegan meal.
The family have spent the past two years picking up their daughter from school at lunchtime, taking her home to eat, and then bringing her back again for afternoon classes.
This new law, if applied effectively, would finally change that. Schools will be obliged to offer these alternatives—or at least provide the means to safely heat and refrigerate food brought from home.
Will Madrid Comply?
Technically, yes. The Royal Decree is a national law and binding across all autonomous communities. However, how it’s implemented—and how quickly—is another matter.
Madrid’s regional government hasn’t always aligned easily with central health or education policies. There’s a history of resistance, and while some schools will be quick to comply, others may delay citing “logistical challenges” or budget constraints. It will be important for families to ask the right questions at enrolment and to advocate for compliance.
Costs: Who Pays for Better Lunches?
There’s no mention of additional funding attached to this new law. That raises important questions:
- Will schools or families absorb the extra cost of fresh, organic, or local food?
- Will catering companies raise prices to meet new sourcing and prep standards?
- Will lunch subsidies (becas de comedor) be expanded to reach more of the 34.5% of Spanish children at risk of poverty or social exclusion?
Currently, only 14% of students receive meal grants, leaving many vulnerable families uncovered—especially during holidays. NGO Educo has called out the gap, pointing out that over 900,000 primary school children went without lunch support over Semana Santa alone.
What Happens Next?
Schools and catering providers now have over a year to prepare for the 2025–2026 rollout. For families, this is a chance to start asking questions:
- Will your child’s school offer vegan or religious options?
- Is the lunch freshly prepared on-site or reheated?
- Are vending machines still offering sugar-laden snacks?
For me, the change is long overdue. School lunches shouldn’t be a postcode lottery or a privilege of the private sector. A healthy, inclusive school meal should be the standard—not the exception.
If you’re planning a move to Spain and trying to make sense of schools in Madrid, there are a few ways to get started — depending on where you are in the process.
Some families begin with a clear overview of how the system works. Others prefer personalised guidance, or hands-on school search support.
You can see the different options here and choose what suits your situation.
I’m Sinéad Galvin, and at Steps into Spain, I help families cut through the confusion of Madrid’s school system and focus on what really matters for their child.
As both a parent and former teacher who has visited more than 150 schools, I know that every family’s story is unique — and every school is too.
