Plan Veo – a plan for a better life in Spain

The Spanish Government has launched Plan VeoA programme under the Ministry of Health Financial assistance for the purchase and use of contact lenses and glasses for children and adolescents. The aim of the initiative is to remove barriers to accessing essential vision aids for children and adolescents.

The plan offers direct financial assistance of up to €100 per eligible child per year. For products costing less than €100, the programme covers the full amount; for more expensive glasses or lenses, families pay only the difference. The program is aimed at children and teenagers up to the age of 16 who are registered with the national health system.

Eligibility and Coverage

Who can benefit and what is included?

Plan Veo Children with diagnosed vision problems who require corrective eyewear are eligible. The eligible products include complete eyeglasses systems, replacement lenses for contact lenses, and maintenance solutions. To access the programme, you will need an optical prescription.

Families must visit participating optical establishments to verify eligibility, collect paperwork and process application. The subsidy will be applied at the point-of-sale. For registration, you will need your health card, identification document and prescription.

Access and Administration

How the Programme Works

Purchases made during that year are eligible to be processed into early 2027. Participating optical shops display an identifying label and help families fill out the paperwork.

Families do not submit applications online; this is done by the optical provider. This system was designed to ensure that eligibility is accurately verified and simplify the application process.

Public Health Context

Justifications of the Government

Plan Veo Responds to concerns regarding uncorrected visual problems in children of school age, which can affect their learning, social development, and self-esteem. The prevalence of myopia, astigmatism and hyperopia is increasing.

The price of corrective lens has historically been a barrier for obtaining them. This programme is designed to ensure that the cost does not affect access to quality vision care. The government wants to ensure that children with vision issues have equal access to healthcare by subsidising eyewear.

What Families Should Know

• All children and teenagers up to the age of 16 who are registered with the national health service are eligible.
• The programme provides up to €100 per year for glasses, lenses or contact lenses.
• The participating optical stores will handle the verification and application directly at the point-of-sale.
• All purchases made by 2026 qualify for processing until early 2027.
• The program is designed to reduce financial barriers and improve access to eye care for families.

Finance and Implementation

Budget and Logistics

A budget of several million euros has been allocated for the Ministry of Health to support public health initiatives. At least €48.235 million has been allocated, with agreements in place with the Council General of Opticians-Optometrists to manage logistics, reimbursement and programme administration.

Plan Veo This represents an important expansion of the public health coverage in Spain. The subsidy of optical products to children aligns it with the broader goals of health policy, which are to integrate prevention, reduce inequalities and safeguard development and education for young people by improving vision.