Creche feliz: places extended to crèches run by public entities

The extension of free places in nurseries came into force on January 1, 2024 and applies when there are no places in the social and solidarity sector network. Free places have been extended to establishments run by local authorities, public higher education institutions, public institutes and other public entities.

The aim of this measure is to ensure that the Creche Feliz program reaches even more establishments, following the extension already made to daycare centers in the for-profit network in January 2023.

The entity responsible for the crèche must express an interest in providing places by filling in the form available on the Social Security website. The application will be assessed by the Social Security Institute and the establishment will be informed if it is included in the list of participating daycare centers.

The crèches run by these entities will now be free for children born after September 1, 2021, as well as for all children covered by the 1st and 2nd income brackets of the family contribution, whenever there are no vacancies in the social and solidarity sector network. 

Free places in crèches covered 85,000 children in 2023, 15,000 more than initially planned, and are expected to reach 120,000 children in 2024. 

Source: Social Security Portal