Spain expands youth cultural subsidy; Madrid adds free cultural pass

The Spanish Ministry of Culture has launched the 2026 edition of the Bono Cultural Joven, a €400 direct grant for 18‑year‑olds to buy cultural products and activities. A new campaign created by the agency Svalbard, titled “La cultura la haces tú,” emphasizes young people as creators of culture. In the first 24 hours, 53,253 applications were received – an 80 % increase over the previous edition – and the program now also covers artistic training, creative practice and the purchase of cultural materials.

In Madrid, the city council introduced the Joven Bono Cultural (JOBO) for residents aged 16 to 26, allowing free entry to a range of municipal cultural venues such as Matadero, Teatro Español Fernán Gómez and Centro Cultural de la Villa. Applications are submitted online via the Madrid Destino platform, and approved users receive a digital account to download free tickets for up to 25 % of a venue’s programmed events (weekdays only). Private theatres occasionally participate as well.