Following a gluten-free diet is the only treatment for celiac disease. However, maintaining it still represents a high expense for those who must follow it. In Spain, people with celiac disease spend almost 1,000 euros more per year on their shopping cart due to the higher price of specific gluten-free products, according to the Price Report on specific gluten-free products for people with celiac disease 2026 prepared by the Federation of Celiac Associations of Spain (FACE).
As the organization explains, “the presence of a celiac person in the home represents a considerable financial challenge,” since the shopping basket based on gluten-free products is much more expensive than that of the rest of the population.
The study analyzes 21 types of food in seven Spanish hypermarket chains and confirms that the price difference has barely changed in recent years. According to FACE calculations, a basket of gluten-free products costs 1,697.35 euros per year, while the same products with gluten cost 700.98 euros. That is, almost 1,000 euros more per year per person.
| Food Product | Gluten Free (€/100g) | With Gluten (€/100g) | Difference (€) | Increase (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cereal bars | 3.55 | 1.55 | 2.00 | 129.03% |
| Wafer type cookies | 2.27 | 0.89 | 1.38 | 155.06% |
| Toast) | 1.97 | 0.55 | 1.42 | 258.18% |
| Christmas consumer product | 1.83 | 1.28 | 0.55 | 42.97% |
| Croquettes | 1.81 | 0.53 | 1.28 | 241.51% |
| Cakes | 1.81 | 1.38 | 0.43 | 31.16% |
| Cupcakes | 1.66 | 0.50 | 1.16 | 232% |
| chocolate cookies | 1.54 | 0.66 | 0.88 | 133.33% |
| Bread (loaf) | 1.29 | 0.25 | 1.04 | 416% |
| Bread (hamburger) | 1.23 | 0.44 | 0.79 | 179.55% |
| puff pastry | 1.22 | 0.51 | 0.71 | 139.22% |
| Pizza | 1.17 | 0.77 | 0.40 | 51.95% |
| Cookies | 1.06 | 0.31 | 0.75 | 241.94% |
| Lasagna | 1.01 | 0.70 | 0.31 | 44.29% |
| sliced bread | 0.79 | 0.26 | 0.53 | 203.85% |
| Breadcrumbs | 0.68 | 0.18 | 0.50 | 277.78% |
| breakfast cereals | 0.64 | 0.46 | 0.18 | 39.13% |
| Macaroni/Noodles | 0.51 | 0.21 | 0.30 | 142.86% |
| Pastry flour | 0.45 | 0.11 | 0.34 | 309.09% |
| Bread flour | 0.33 | 0.12 | 0.21 | 175% |
| Beer | 0.26 | 0.23 | 0.03 | 13.04% |
| TOTAL | 27.09 | 11.88 | 15.21 | 128.03% |
The data, based on prices recorded during January 2026, also shows that gluten-free products remain much more expensive. If we compare the average price per 100 grams of the foods analyzed, products with gluten add up to 11.88 euros, compared to 27.09 euros in their gluten-free version, more than double.
The price difference is especially large for some commonly consumed foods. Among the products with the highest extra cost, loaf bread (416% more expensive), baking flour (309%) and breadcrumbs (277%) stand out, which are part of the daily diet of many people with celiac disease.
The extra expense of following a gluten-free diet exceeds 20 euros per week
| Product Type | Weekly Spending (€) | Monthly Expense (€) | Annual Expenditure (€) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buy gluten free | 35.36 | 141.45 | 1697.35 |
| Buy with gluten | 14.61 | 58.42 | 700.98 |
| DIFFERENCE | 20.76 | 83.03 | 996.37 |
The report also details how this difference translates into families’ daily spending. According to the analysis, the presence of a celiac person in the home means 20.76 euros more per week, which is equivalent to 83.03 euros more per month and 996.37 euros more per year in the shopping basket. These figures refer only to the consumption of specific gluten-free products and do not include other common household food expenses.
The comparison with the previous year shows that the gap has barely narrowed. In 2025 the annual extra cost was 997.85 euros, while in 2026 it stands at 996.37 euros, that is, only 1.48 euros less.
| Year | € Annual Gluten Free | € Annual With Gluten | Difference With/Without Annual (€) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1654.41 | 656.57 | 997.85 |
| 2026 | 1697.35 | 700.98 | 996.37 |
| Difference (€) | 42.94 | 44.41 | -1.48 |
| Percentage (%) | 2.60% | 6.76% | -0.15% |
During the last year, gluten-free products have become more expensive by 42.94 euros, but foods with gluten have also risen in price, in this case 44.41 euros, due to the inflation. For this reason, the difference between both shopping baskets has remained practically the same. Although the current extra cost is approximately 30% lower than in 2009, the price difference has been stagnant for several years near 1,000 euros per year.
In addition, it must be taken into account due to the hereditary nature of celiac disease, it is common for several members of the same family to be diagnosed, which further increases the total expense allocated to gluten-free food in a family unit.
Tax changes with little impact
Among the measures adopted in recent years, the reduction of VAT on gluten-free bread from 10% to 4% stands out, approved in 2025. However, FACE considers that this reduction has not been fully reflected in the final price of the products, something that is also shown by the data in the report, where gluten-free bread continues to be one of the foods with the greatest price difference.
The organization explains that this is due, in part, to regulatory gaps in the bread regulations, which make it difficult to apply the reduced rate homogeneously to all gluten-free derivatives. Additionally, these foods are often more expensive to manufacture as they require alternative ingredients and strict controls to prevent gluten contamination.
Request for public aid
The organization emphasizes that “the gluten-free diet does not represent an optional dietary choice, but rather constitutes the only effective and chronic medical treatment to reverse intestinal damage, eliminate symptoms and prevent serious long-term clinical complications.” Given this situation, FACE insists on the need to establish direct aid or tax deductions that offset the economic impact of gluten-free products.
For example, in recent months, some autonomous communities have begun to introduce specific tax deductions for people with celiac disease. This is the case of Andalusia, where The Board has approved a deduction of 100 euros in personal income tax which will be applied for the first time in the 2026 income tax return.
However, patient associations recall that at the state level the processing of a Bill to compensate for the extra cost of food for people with celiac disease is still pending, registered in the Official Gazette of the Cortes Generales and approved for processing in October 2025 with the support of 97% of the Congress of Deputies. The initiative proposes, among other measures, the creation of a State Registry of Patients with Celiac Disease and the establishment of direct financial aid through a modification of the Personal Income Tax Law.
According to entities such as FACE, the Associació Celiacs de Catalunya, ACECALE and the Association of Celiacs and Gluten Sensitives of the Community of Madrid, the proposal currently remains paralyzed in the amendment phase, which delays its application and maintains the situation of economic inequality that affects the group.
The report recalls that this diet must be maintained throughout life and that, currently, the cost is borne entirely by patients, which keeps the debate open on the need for measures to demand public aid to reduce the economic impact of celiac disease.