The Catalan government and the left-wing Catalunya en Comú party have reached a significant agreement as part of ongoing budget negotiations, announcing plans to create two separate annual €25 vouchers for young people. The initiative, confirmed by Comuns parliamentary leader Jéssica Albiach, is designed to improve access to menstrual products and condoms, addressing both public health and the rising cost of living for the region’s youth.


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The agreement marks a crucial step forward in the often-complex negotiations to approve the Generalitat de Catalunya’s budget for the upcoming year. The vouchers, which will be redeemable at pharmacies using Catalonia’s public health card, represent a total public investment of €25 million annually.

How the Vouchers Will Work

The plan consists of two distinct programs targeting different age groups and needs:

  • Menstrual Products Voucher: An annual €25 voucher for women aged 12 to 25 to purchase any type of menstrual product, including tampons and pads.
  • Condom Voucher: A separate annual €25 voucher for young people between 16 and 25 to purchase condoms.

Albiach detailed the dual purpose of the initiative in a press conference, highlighting it as both a financial aid and a public health measure. “The goal is not to moralise, but to guarantee rights,” she stated, as reported by Ara Cat. She emphasised that the measures are intended to be a “pedagogical tool” and a form of “sexual protection” that will also “have an impact on the pockets of young people.”

The push for subsidised condoms comes amid alarming public health data. Albiach pointed to a significant rise in sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Catalonia, which she said are increasing by 32% annually, a rate higher than the European average. Experts attribute this trend to an increase in high-risk sexual behaviours and a decline in condom use.

“This is a matter of public health,” Albiach insisted, defending the new vouchers.

She also took the opportunity to critique the current tax system, noting that menstrual products are subject to a 4% VAT. “It should be 0%; it is a basic product,” she argued.

Building on Previous Initiatives

This voucher system expands upon Catalonia’s pioneering efforts to combat period poverty. Earlier this year, the government launched a widely praised program to distribute free, reusable menstrual products—such as menstrual cups, reusable pads, and period underwear—to all women and menstruating individuals through local pharmacies. While that initiative focused on sustainability and universal access to reusable options, the new €25 voucher provides flexibility, allowing recipients to choose any product, including single-use items.

The final agreement represents a compromise from the Comuns’ initial, more ambitious proposal. According to 20 Minutos, their original plan called for €120 million in funding, with a €60 voucher for menstrual products for women up to age 50 and a €30 condom voucher for those up to age 29. The scaled-back version was a key concession to secure the government’s support.

Part of a Broader Budget Deal

The health vouchers are part of a wider agreement between the Socialists currently leading the government and the Comuns, whose votes are critical for passing the budget. The deal also includes a substantial expansion of rent subsidies, increasing the family income limit to qualify for aid and raising the maximum rental price eligible for assistance. These measures are aimed at tackling the housing crisis, a central issue in Catalan politics.

While this agreement is a positive development in the budget process, the entire package must still be formally approved. The Comuns have stated they hope to expand the voucher program to more groups and increase its value in the future, contingent on its successful implementation.