Euskara Bonuak will guarantee free Basque language studies

HABEk (Institution for Adult Literacy and Re-Basquization) has launched a new 7,000,000 euro subsidy for the 2026-2027 academic year, through a new gratuity model called EUSKARA BONUA. The resolution with reference 2026/3676 was published in the Boletín Oficial del País Vasco (BOPV) number 160, on August 24, 2026.

The resolution signed by Jokin Azkue Arrastoa, general director of HABE, dated July 29, 2026, approves the bases for subsidies for adults wishing to start learning Basque and for young people aged 16-18, and opens the call for applications. The initiative is the first step of the 43rd commitment of the Government Program of the XIII Legislature: “for any person to have the opportunity to learn Basque for free, progressively, in all levels from A1 to C2”.

120 euros, free from A1 to B1A2

Students starting to learn Basque with initial levels of A0A0, A1A0, A1A1, A2A1 or A2A2 will have to pay 120 euros upon first enrollment, and in exchange for that payment, they will be allocated a bag of hours. Until that bag is exhausted, the hours of all courses will be free, even if the same level is repeated, until the B1A2 level is reached.

Depending on the initial level, these are the hour bags and deadlines:

A0A0 or A1A0: 720 hours (1,620 euros/540 hours in self-study), until 2029-2030.
A1A1: 520 hours (1,170 euros/390 hours), until 2028-2029.
A2A1: 360 hours (810 euros/270 hours), until 2027-2028.
A2A2: 200 hours (450 euros/150 hours), until 2026-2027.

Those enrolling in the self-study modality can receive a maximum of 750 euros and 265 hours per academic year. Those who received aid for A1 or A2 levels in the 2025-2026 academic year may also apply for the new aid without making any payment.

C1 level, for 16-18 year olds

Young people between 16 and 18 years old aiming for the C1 level can also receive aid, paying 0.60 euros per hour. They have a limit of 350 hours in the face-to-face modality, and 750 euros in self-study. C1 students will generally have an initial level of C1B2, but the B2B2 level is also accepted if they enroll in a face-to-face course of at least 330 hours or 190 hours of self-study.

The age range is specified year by year: in 2026, those born in 2008, 2009 or 2010 can enroll, and in 2027, those born in 2009, 2010 or 2011. Beneficiaries of the C1 aid must advance at least one sub-level in one of the communicative competence skills of the HEOC during the academic year, and demonstrate 75% attendance of the course hours.

Distribution of funds and deadlines

The 7,000,000 euros for the subsidy are divided into two parts: 4,819,607 euros for those enrolling in courses starting in 2026, and 2,180,393 euros for those starting in 2027. This amount may be increased by up to 80%, depending on other available items in HABE’s budgets.

Applications shall be submitted at Basque language schools (euskaltegis) or at approved self-study centers registered with HABE, upon enrollment. The deadlines for accepting applications are as follows:

November 6, 2026, to be resolved before December 11, 2026.
April 16, 2027, to be resolved before May 21.
September 17, 2027, to be resolved before October 23.

The grants are part of the JAUZIA GARA strategy, within the path promoted by the Government to encourage the social use of Basque. The resolutions will be published on the HABE website and on the Government’s Electronic Office notice board.

The initiative is a significant step toward expanding the knowledge and use of Basque, establishing a new budgetary framework to promote the Basque-learning of adults. Guaranteeing studies up to level B1A2 with a single payment of 120 euros aims to remove economic obstacles to learning Basque, taking the first step toward making Basque free for everyone.

Fuente: Official Gazette of the Basque Country, number 160, August 24, 2026, Other Provisions section (official reference: 2026/3676).