How to become a futsal coach in Spain
Futsal has its own coaching pathway, separate from outfield football. An outfield UEFA C does not qualify you: the RFEF requires a futsal-specific qualification in every federation category.
- Federation ladder: Nacional C, Nacional B (Level 1), Nacional A (Level 2) and Nacional Profesional (Level 3). The UEFA Futsal B licence is processed separately.
- Academic track: Técnico Deportivo en Fútbol Sala, an official qualification.
- Primera and Segunda RFEF Futsal: Nacional Profesional or TD Superior (Art. 168).
- Refresher: 15 hours every three years from when you obtained your diploma.
Futsal is a separate pathway, not a specialty
The single most common question and the clearest answer: an outfield UEFA C licence does not let you coach federation futsal. UEFA treats both as separate disciplines and the RFEF keeps that split in its training framework.
It means that to coach futsal in any federation category, regional included, you must go through the futsal-specific pathway: the federation track (Nacional C, B, A and Profesional diplomas, and the UEFA Futsal B licence) or the academic track (Técnico Deportivo en Fútbol Sala).
Good news: it is a parallel pathway, not a sequential one. You do not need outfield UEFA C first. You can start straight at Nacional C Futsal if your goal from day one is the court.
The futsal federation ladder
Two naming systems coexist: national diplomas and UEFA licences. The diplomas are not outdated texts: RFEF Circular 68 (2025/26 season) and Article 168 of the General Regulation still use them, and regional federations run them in 2026/27.
- Nacional C (Monitor Nacional), the entry tier. Taught by regional federations.
- Nacional B (Level 1, Basic).
- Nacional A (Level 2, Advanced).
- Nacional Profesional (Level 3, Professional), the top of the ladder.
UEFA licences are the European framework. Article 168 puts "Nacional B and UEFA B Licence" at the same level. The RFEF processes the UEFA Futsal B licence by application, and there is also a UEFA Futsal B Recognition of Competences (RoC). Under Circular 91, the RoC requires a TD or TD Superior futsal degree and two seasons as head coach after the degree: one full season in a regional category and one in an RFEF national category. Then a committee validation, portfolio and interview.
Circular 68 also mentions the UEFA Futsal A diploma alongside the Nacional Profesional, but the RFEF does not publish its exact equivalence or the route to obtain it. Check the National School's current call.
What each tier lets you coach
The table shows the minimum diploma that Article 168 of the RFEF General Regulation requires for a futsal head coach. It is based on the April 2025 text and there is no known 2026/27 circular on qualifications by category, so always confirm your federation's current one.
| Category | Minimum diploma (Art. 168) | Academic equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Primera RFEF Futsal, Segunda RFEF Futsal (men) and Primera División Femenina | Nacional Profesional (Level III) | TD Superior en Fútbol Sala |
| Segunda División B, Tercera División, División de Honor Juvenil and Segunda División Femenina | Nacional A (Level II, Advanced) | TD Grado Medio en Fútbol Sala |
| Liga Nacional Juvenil, amateur and regional youth teams | Nacional B (Level I) or UEFA B licence | Ciclo Inicial de TD |
| Regional U-16 to U-6 categories (cadete to prebenjamín) | Nacional C (Monitor Nacional) | (no academic equivalent) |
The academic equivalence for futsal is set by Article 168 of the RFEF General Regulation, not by Article 167 bis (outfield football only). Article 168 cites art. 55.4 of Law 10/1990 (Ley del Deporte) to equate TD Superior with Nacional Profesional. For the Ciclo Inicial of TD it also provides a competence-based habilitation certificate equivalent to UEFA B. Article 168 does not mention UEFA Futsal A.
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Where each tier is taught
- Nacional C, B, A and Profesional: run by regional federations. In the 2026/27 catalogue, Nacional C: Tenerife and the Balearics in Palma (October), Asturias and Madrid (November), València with the FFCV and Aragón (December). Nacional B: Murcia, Palma and Ceuta. Nacional A: Madrid (Castilla-La Mancha and RFFM), Murcia and Ceuta. Nacional Profesional: Alcázar de San Juan and Las Palmas.
- UEFA Futsal B licence and RoC: the RFEF processes them from Las Rozas (Madrid) through an application process, not an in-person course. Both appear in the 2026/27 RFEF Academy catalogue; the RoC follows Circular 91.
- UEFA Futsal A: it is not listed in the 2026/27 RFEF Academy catalogue. Circular 68 names it when regulating the refresher, whose congress is run by the RFEF National Coaches School.
Pre-enrolment deadlines change every season and are not set here: see the notices on the courses page. For the outfield pathway, see how to become an outfield base coach. For enrolment contacts, the regional directory is at regional federations.
Cost, requirements and the refresher rule
Figures vary by federation and cohort. Reference from the 2026/27 catalogue, together with the coaching course price guide:
- Nacional C: €175 to €400 in the visible editions; €350 is a frequent amount (FFCV, Castilla-La Mancha). More in the futsal Nacional C guide.
- Nacional B: €450 to €995.
- Nacional A: €850 to €1,250.
- Nacional Profesional: €1,500 to €1,800.
- UEFA Futsal B licence application: €25. The UEFA Futsal B RoC costs €100.
Entry requirements (age, minimum studies, prior diploma, paperwork) are set by each call: check your federation's.
The Continuing Education and Refresher Certificate requires, under Circular 68, at least 15 hours of continuing education every three years, counted from when you obtained your diploma. The certificate is valid for three years; the training is free and issuing it costs €25. At least half the hours must be in your own specialty. Anyone who obtained their diploma before 2025 needed it for the 2025/26 season.
Coming from outfield football: what counts and what does not
This is the most repeated question on forums and worth pinning down:
- Outfield and futsal UEFA licences are separate corpora: holding outfield UEFA C, B or A does NOT exempt you from taking the futsal qualification.
- There can be cross-credit of common-block subjects (shared theory) if you go via the academic track (Técnico Deportivo en Fútbol Sala). The cross-credit framework is set by the Ministry of Education decrees on TD convalidations.
- The specific block (game model, system, rules) does not cross-credit: futsal and outfield football are different disciplines with their own dynamics.
For coaches already inside outfield football who want to add futsal, the most efficient route is usually to take the Nacional C Futsal directly and, if the trajectory supports it, apply for the UEFA Futsal B licence by the route that fits you.
Frequently asked questions
Does my outfield UEFA C work to coach futsal?
No. The RFEF runs separate pathways for outfield and futsal: you need a futsal-specific qualification (Diploma Nacional C Futsal or an academic equivalent) to coach any federation futsal category. Outfield UEFA C does not even unlock regional futsal teams, so plan your route before enrolling.
What is the highest futsal coaching level?
The Nacional Profesional (Level 3), which Article 168 requires in Primera and Segunda RFEF Futsal. It is not an outdated text: in 2026/27 there are regional editions in Alcázar de San Juan (€1,500) and Las Palmas (€1,800). The RFEF does not publish its equivalence with UEFA Futsal A.
Which regional federations teach Nacional C Futsal?
Several. The 2026/27 catalogue lists Tenerife and the Balearics (October), Madrid and Asturias (November), and FFCV (València) and Aragón (December). They cost €175 to €400. Pre-enrolment deadlines are published in each call, so always check your own federation's. Prices and start months change by season.
What diploma do I need to coach in Primera RFEF Futsal?
The Nacional Profesional (Level III) or, on the academic route, the TD Superior en Fútbol Sala, under Article 168 of the RFEF General Regulation. It also applies to Segunda RFEF Futsal and Primera División Femenina. The text dates from April 2025, so confirm the current circular.
Is there a goalkeeper specialty for futsal?
Yes. RFEF Circular 68 names Nacional C and B futsal goalkeeper diplomas. But the 2026/27 catalogue currently lists no futsal goalkeeper course: the Nacional C goalkeeper courses that appear are for outfield football. Check your federation's current call before planning. It is better to ask them directly.