Lately, there have been more and more discussions about buying a house on the forums. As a PhD student nearing graduation, I’ve also started thinking about settling down. I had been hearing rumors about a ‘subsidy for PhDs buying homes,’ which sounded very appealing, so I decided to look into it. As it turns out, fairy tales aren’t real, and Spain does not have a nationwide home-buying subsidy specifically for individuals with ‘PhD’ status!
But don’t lose hope! While there’s no exclusive benefit for PhDs, we can still apply for the government’s home-buying grants for young people. The biggest advantage of having a PhD is that it usually helps in securing a stable job and income, which is a key plus point when applying for these grants.
Youth Home-Buying Grant Scheme
This scheme is at the national level, but its specific implementation and funding are managed by each autonomous community. Therefore, the specific policies, application periods, and budgets in your region may differ from the general PhD home-buying policies. The core objective is to help young people under the age of 35 buy their first home.
What are the basic application requirements?
I’ve compiled a table of general conditions, but please be sure to refer to the official announcements of your autonomous community! The requirements may be slightly adjusted each year.
| Item | Basic Requirement |
|---|
| Age | Usually 35 years old or younger |
| Income | Annual household income usually cannot exceed 3 to 4 times the IPREM |
| Property | Must be the applicant’s first owner-occupied home |
| Property Price | There is a maximum price for the purchased home, e.g., some regions previously required it to be under €120,000 |
| Nationality/Residency | Must hold legal residency in Spain |
This grant is typically a one-time direct financial aid payment. The amount is substantial, reaching a maximum of €10,800, but it cannot exceed 20% of the total property price. This money is a godsend for putting together a down payment. However, it’s important to note that this grant is taxable, so you should plan your taxes in advance. I hope this information is helpful for those considering buying a home, and I welcome anyone who has successfully applied to share their experiences and tips in the comments below!
