Castilla-La Mancha updates Reto-D grants to curb rural depopulation

The Governing Council of Castilla-La Mancha approved Decree 62/2026, of October 6, which modifies the regulatory bases for the direct granting of subsidies for the implementation of the Reto-D training program contracts for non-compulsory education in sparsely populated areas or areas at risk of depopulation. The regulation is published in the Official Gazette of Castilla-La Mancha (DOCM) no. 196, of October 13, 2026, in section I.- General Provisions, with the official reference [2026/7289]. The text will enter into force on the day following its publication, that is, October 14, 2026.

The decree modifies Decree 96/2024, of December 23, which regulates these direct grants, the purpose of which is to facilitate access to Vocational Training and university studies for students from sparsely populated areas and to contribute to the maintenance of the population and the economic development of rural areas. According to the preamble, the experience derived from the application of the regulation has highlighted the convenience of introducing changes to improve its management and reinforce the pursued objectives.

The provision was signed in Toledo on October 6, 2026, by the president of the Junta, Emiliano García-Page Sánchez, and by the counselor of Education, Culture and Sports, Amador Pastor Noheda, at the proposal of the latter and following deliberation by the Governing Council in its meeting on October 6, 2026, by virtue of the Statute of Autonomy and Law 11/2003, of September 25, of the Government and the Consultative Council of Castilla-La Mancha.

Eligible studies and student requirements

The new Article 1 delimits the scope of the aid to in-person and non-compulsory studies taught in university and non-university teaching centers supported by public funds of Castilla-La Mancha. The wording specifies that it includes students from public centers and subsidized private centers that meet the established requirements.

Article 4 sets the conditions for the beneficiaries:

• To have effective family residence in sparsely populated areas or areas at risk of depopulation in Castilla-La Mancha.
• To have formalized a loan with a credit institution to pursue non-compulsory studies, both Vocational Training and university.
• That the studies require leaving the family home.
• To maintain, once the studies are completed, the effective personal residence or to develop an economic activity project in the municipality of origin or in another in a sparsely populated rural area or area at risk of depopulation.

The requirement for a change of residence will be understood as fulfilled when the distance between the municipality of residence and the center, access difficulties, or other justified reasons prevent or hinder daily attendance.

New calculation of family income and aid percentages

The decree specifies the reference fiscal year for the income calculation: the most recent one for which the deadline for filing IRPF (Personal Income Tax) returns has ended as of the publication date of the resolution specifying the credits. The annual Iprem corresponding to twelve monthly payments in effect during that fiscal year is taken as a reference, in order to provide greater legal certainty and homogeneity to the economic criteria.

The aid percentage applicable to the maximum amount is fixed as follows:

• Per capita income lower than the Iprem: 100 percent.
• Per capita income not exceeding double the Iprem: 75 percent.
• Per capita income not exceeding three times the Iprem: 50 percent.
• Per capita income exceeding three times the Iprem: 25 percent.

If the members of the family unit have filed an IRPF return, the income is calculated by adding the general taxable base and the savings base, from which the personal and family minimum may be deducted. If they are not required to file, the operation a - b - c is applied, using computable income and yields, deductible expenses, and the reduction for the personal and family minimum. The per capita income results from dividing the sum of the incomes of all computable members by the number of members of the family unit.

Maximum amounts and competent bodies

Article 7 maintains the financing of tuition, accommodation, and necessary materials, provided that a loan has been formalized with a credit institution, and introduces the maximum limits per application:

• 12,000 euros in the case of university studies.
• 6,000 euros in the case of Vocational Training studies.
• Imputation to budget item 18020000.423A.48711.

The processing of the procedure shall correspond to the Service with competencies in university matters, while the granting resolution shall fall to the head of the general directorate competent in university matters. An administrative appeal (recurso de alzada) may be filed against the resolution before the head of the Department competent in education within one month, in accordance with articles 30, 31, 121, and 122 of Law 39/2015, of October 1.

The modification seeks to provide legal certainty to the economic criteria and adapt the management to the current administrative organization, so that aid reaches students in municipalities at risk of depopulation more swiftly and contributes to settling the young population in rural areas.

Source: Official Gazette of Castilla-La Mancha, no. 196, of October 13, 2026, section I.- General Provisions, page 36351 (official reference: 2026/7289).