Asturias waives tuition fees for higher artistic education

The Governing Council of the Principality of Asturias has approved Decree 53/2026, of August 10, which modifies for the fourth time Decree 43/2004, of May 20, regulating the public prices of special regime artistic education. The regulation, published in the Official Gazette of the Principality of Asturias number 162 of August 21, 2026 (reference 2026-06991), exempts undergraduate students in higher artistic education enrolled in public centers from the payment of public tuition fees, thereby equating them to university students.

The measure, promoted by a joint proposal from the Minister of Finance, Justice and European Affairs and the Minister of Education, and agreed upon at the Governing Council meeting on August 10, 2026, is based on Law 1/2024, of June 7, on Education, which recognizes the right of students in these programs to access the system of scholarships and study grants under the same conditions as university students. The decree enters into force the day following its publication and applies to all students enrolling in the 2026-2027 academic year.

Scope of the Exemption

The new Article 7 of the decree regulates the exemption from the obligation to pay public tuition fees for education leading to a degree in higher artistic education, with three distinct scenarios:

• Newly admitted students: exemption from the public price of all enrolled credits (60 ECTS) in the first year.
• Continuing students with full enrollment: exemption for the first enrollment in a number of credits equal to those passed on the first attempt in the previous year, provided that at least 90% of the 60 ECTS have been passed.
• Continuing students with partial enrollment: exemption for those enrolling in between 30 and 59 ECTS, having passed all credits in which they were enrolled on the first attempt.

Requirements and Limitations

The exemption is coordinated with the scholarship system of the Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Sports. Students must provide proof of a scholarship application for the year in which they formalize their enrollment or submit a responsible declaration stating that they do not meet the economic requirements to obtain one, in accordance with Article 69 of Law 39/2015.

The measure will not apply to those who already hold an official Degree, Licentiate, Engineering, Architecture degree or equivalents, and will be limited to the prices corresponding to credits on the first enrollment attempt, without giving rise to the refund of amounts. The enrollment document must state the amount of the exemption, indicating that it is an exemption granted by the Administration of the Principality of Asturias.

Exempt Prices

The annex of the decree establishes the prices per credit for first-time enrollment that will be exempt for undergraduate students:

• Music (Higher Degree): €14.32 per credit.
• Dramatic Art (Higher Studies): €12.56 per credit.
• Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage: €12.56 per credit.
• Design (Higher Studies): €8.65 per credit.

The measure, signed in Gijón by the President of the Principality of Asturias, Adrián Barbón Rodríguez, and the Minister of Presidency, Demographic Challenge, Equality and Tourism, Gimena Llamedo González, equates higher artistic education with university undergraduate studies for the first time in terms of tuition-free access, a step that will benefit thousands of Asturian students and reinforces access to artistic training under equal conditions.

Source: Official Gazette of the Principality of Asturias, no. 162 of August 21, 2026, I. General Provisions, pág. 1-4 (official reference: 2026-06991).