The UNICO-Social Bonus: Spanish Digital Access Support for Low-Income Families

The Spanish government has launched a targeted initiative called the UNICO-Social Bonus. This support is designed to be managed by each autonomous community and is intended to provide real help to disadvantaged families by reducing the cost of one-year internet access contracts. The aim is to ensure that households facing financial difficulties can stay connected to essential online services, educational resources, and social benefits without being overwhelmed by ongoing monthly bills. The program operates through a dedicated framework that allows each region to administer the subsidy in a way that aligns with local conditions, while preserving a consistent national objective: to close the digital divide and guarantee access to reliable internet for those who need it most. Families who qualify can receive up to 240 euros as a one-year credit that is applied directly toward their internet plan, making connectivity more affordable and sustainable over a full year of usage. This approach acknowledges the crucial role the internet now plays in education, employment, healthcare, and everyday communication, and it seeks to remove one more barrier that can prevent vulnerable households from participating fully in modern life.