When I first moved to Spain, I thought having three kids was, well… perfectly normal. Not Duggar-level wild. Not “Do you run a daycare?” abnormal. Just a slightly chaotic, very loving, middle-of-the-road-sized family. You know—like a minivan full, but not a school bus.
But here in Spain? I might as well have shown up to school drop-off on a unicycle. Because three kids = familia numerosa, and that title comes with all kinds of perks, paperwork, and puzzled stares.
What’s a Familia Numerosa?
In Spain, once you’ve got three kids under your roof (or two in some special circumstances), congratulations! You’ve leveled up into large family status. There’s even an official government-issued card to prove it.
Yes. A card. A real ID that comes with discounts, benefits… and enough paperwork to wallpaper your house.
To get it, you’ll need copies of your children’s birth certificates (in triplicate), DNI/NIE documents, some official forms written in Ancient Bureaucratic Spanish, and possibly the tears of a unicorn. But once you’ve got it, you’re officially certified as a Superparent of a LARGE FAMILY.
What Comes With the Card?
Here are some of the perks of being a card-carrying member of the Familia Numerosa club:
- 💳 Free Spanish ID and passports for your kids
- 💡 Electricity discounts (because three kids = three times the lights left on)
- 💰 Tax breaks
- 🛒 Discounts at major stores like Carrefour and El Corte Inglés
- 🍟 McDonald’s discounts (because Happy Meals multiply quickly)
- 🚄 Renfe train discounts, making your family trips slightly less financially terrifying
You can find the full list here, if you’re brave.
The Cultural Commentary
Now, back to those comments. In Spain, it seems a cultural reflex to say:
- “¡Madre mía, tres niños!”
- “Yo solo tengo uno y llego tarde todos los días… tú con tres, ¡eres una heroína!”
- And my personal favorite from a taxi driver when all of us were trying to squeeze into his cab: “Don’t you have a TV or something?” (This one is laughable knowing the amount of tears, money, heartache and hope we invested in IVF-if only he knew!)
The teachers, the cashier, the person behind me in line at the farmacia—they all seem genuinely amazed that I’m out of the house with 3 kids (sometimes I am amazed, too).
Back in the U.S., my family of three was average. Nobody batted an eye. But here? I’m a walking wonder. I don’t even have to do anything impressive. Just showing up to school on time with three clothed children is apparently Olympic-level parenting.
Why It Matters (Sort of Seriously)
Spain’s birthrate is one of the lowest in Europe, and the government really wants families to make more adorable little citizens. These Familia Numerosa perks are one way to support families who do.
And as much as I joke, I appreciate the effort of the government trying to offer ways to support families.
In Conclusion: Wear It Like a Badge
So, if you’ve got three kids and you’re living in Spain, go ahead and get that Familia Numerosa card. You’ve earned it—not just the benefits, but the cultural admiration, the wide-eyed stares, and the whispered, “¡Qué valiente!” from strangers.
Because honestly? Some days… it really does feel that way.
#FamiliaNumerosa #FamiliaNumerosaEspaña #VivirEnEspaña #LifeInSpain #ExpatLifeSpain #SpainWithKids #FamiliaNumerosa #MovingWhere #MomsinSpain #Mothersinspain
Leave a Reply