For families with children, school selection is often the most consequential decision in a relocation. Spain offers a broad range of options — public, concertado (semi-private), private, international, and bilingual — and the quality of what is available, particularly in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and the Costa del Sol, is one of the reasons so many families with children choose it as a destination. Navigating the system as a newcomer takes preparation: registration windows are set by regional authorities, waiting lists at popular international schools can be long, and the public system has its own logic that rewards those who understand it before they arrive.
How the Spanish Education System Is Structured
Spain has compulsory education from ages 6 to 16, though most children begin free public preschool at age 3. The system is organised as follows:
Educación Infantil (ages 0 to 6) — early childhood education divided into two stages. The first cycle covers ages 0 to 3 (nursery, or guardería); the second cycle covers ages 3 to 6 (preschool). The second cycle is free in the public system and effectively universal. The first cycle is not compulsory.
Educación Primaria (ages 6 to 12) — six years of primary education, divided into three two-year stages.
Educación Secundaria Obligatoria / ESO (ages 12 to 16) — four years of compulsory secondary education.
Bachillerato (ages 16 to 18) — two years of upper secondary education. Not compulsory, but required for university entry. Students choose a track (sciences, humanities and social sciences, or arts) that shapes their university path.
Children of expat residents, including those on the Non-Lucrative Visa, Digital Nomad Visa, and other residency permits, are legally entitled to public education once their residency process is underway.
One important regional consideration: Spain is a highly decentralised country, and education is managed at the autonomous community level. In Catalonia, the Basque Country, and the Balearic Islands, public schools often teach primarily in the regional language (Catalan, Basque, or Catalan/Mallorquí respectively), with Spanish as a second language of instruction. Families moving to these regions should factor this into their school decisions.
Public Schools in Spain
Public schools are free for all residents and are available throughout the country. Instruction is in Spanish, or in the regional co-official language in communities where one exists. English is a mandatory subject from primary school and is taught throughout the system.
Quality varies considerably by school, region, and individual catchment area. Some public schools are excellent and outperform nearby private or international options. Others are more variable. Public schools in Spain are also less responsive to individual parent input than many international families are accustomed to. Teachers’ accountability is to the regional education authority, not to parents, and this is worth factoring in for younger or more sensitive children making a significant transition.
Registration for public schools is managed by each autonomous community, not the national government. For the upcoming 2026/2027 academic school year, the general application deadlines are rigidly set for the spring months. In the Comunidad de Madrid, the standard application window runs from March 11 to March 25, 2026. Formal enrollment for primary and secondary schools is completed between late June and early July. In the Junta de Andalucía, which includes the Costa del Sol, applications are open from March 1 to March 31, 2026. In the Comunidad Valenciana, the initial sign-up portal typically opens in May, with secondary adjustments continuing through July.
Children are assigned to a school based on their home address, with a points-based system that considers proximity, family siblings already enrolled, and income. Because placement points depend heavily on geography, you must have your local town hall registration finalized and your physical Certificado de Empadronamiento in hand before the application window closes. Families can submit preferences, but catchment is the dominant factor.
Concertado Schools
Concertado schools are a significant and distinctly Spanish category that has no direct equivalent in most other countries. They are privately run but receive public funding, and they charge modest fees — typically €100 to €300 per month — which cover services beyond the subsidised core curriculum, such as extended hours and extracurricular activities. Many are Catholic, reflecting Spain’s educational history, though secular concertados exist.
Concertados generally offer smaller class sizes and a more attentive environment than public schools, while remaining far more affordable than fully private or international schools. For families who want something between the public system and full international schooling, they are worth serious consideration. Admission follows a similar application and points-based process to public schools.
Private Schools in Spain
Spain’s fully private schools (colegios privados) typically offer smaller classes, broader extracurricular programmes, more flexibility in their educational approach, and stronger parental responsiveness than the public or concertado systems. Annual fees vary widely, typically running from €3,000 to €10,000 per year for Spanish-curriculum private schools.
Many private schools are bilingual or offer English-medium streams. Some follow British, American, or IB curricula while remaining within the Spanish private school framework rather than being formally registered as international schools. Comparing individual school results and talking to current parents is worth doing; the best Spanish private schools produce genuinely strong results.
Private school enrollment does not have the same rigid annual timing as the public or concertado systems, but popular schools fill quickly and some maintain waiting lists. We advise contacting schools well in advance of your planned arrival.
International and Bilingual Schools in Spain
For families who want English-language instruction, a curriculum that transfers back to their home country, or straightforward access to international university admissions, international schools are the clearest option. Spain has a well-developed network of international schools. There are over 200 international schools formally registered, with a further large number of bilingual private schools with significant international enrollment. These are particularly concentrated in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, the Costa del Sol, and the Costa Blanca, although options certainly exist elsewhere in the country.
Most international schools offer the International Baccalaureate (IB), British curriculum (IGCSEs and A-levels), or American curriculum (US K-12 or AP). Many are bilingual in English and Spanish from the earliest years. For children arriving without Spanish, or older children for whom a full transition to a Spanish-medium school would be disruptive, international schools offer a more manageable path while often still building solid Spanish language skills.
Annual tuition at international schools in Spain typically runs from €6,000 to €15,000 per year for most schools, with high-end secondary and IB Diploma programmes in Madrid and Barcelona often reaching €18,000 to €25,000 per year. Enrollment at the most sought-after schools typically opens in autumn for the following academic year, with offers made in late winter or early spring. Some schools accept applications one to two years in advance. Families who leave this until after they arrive often find their options narrowed.
StartAbroad can assist with identifying international and private schools in your target area, available to Concierge and package clients.
Homeschooling in Spain
Homeschooling in Spain exists in a legal grey area. The Spanish Constitution establishes the right to education, and compulsory education law does not explicitly mandate school attendance, but it does not formally recognise homeschooling as a legal alternative either. There is no national framework for it. Outcomes vary significantly by autonomous community: Catalonia and Andalucía have relatively established homeschooling communities and tend not to pursue prosecution of families who can demonstrate education is taking place. Other regions are less predictable.
The practical approach most expat families take is to enrol their children with an accredited international online school following a recognised curriculum such as Cambridge, Edexcel, or US K-12. An online school can provide formal transcripts and qualifications while allowing the child to work from home. This is not the same as unregulated parent-led homeschooling: the child is enrolled with a recognised institution. This approach sits in a more defensible legal position than informal homeschooling and is increasingly common among mobile expat families.
ALE (Asociación para la Libre Educación) is the main homeschooling association in Spain and provides legal guidance and community connection for families pursuing this route.
Note that some visa types require proof of active school enrolment for children during processing or renewals. Check whether this applies to your visa before assuming homeschooling is a seamless option.
Childcare in Spain
Guardería / Escuela Infantil (ages 0 to 3) — Spain’s nursery provision covers children from birth to age 3. Public guarderías are subsidised and available in most municipalities, but demand typically exceeds supply and waiting lists can be long. Costs for public provision range from approximately €50 to €400 per month depending on the region and family income. Private guarderías are accessible to new arrivals immediately and typically cost €400 to €800 per month, with variation by city and facility. Bilingual and English-medium nurseries in Madrid and Barcelona are widely available and cost more. The Madrid regional government runs a Cheque Guardería programme providing monthly subsidies to working parents using private nurseries, which is worth checking if you are based in Madrid.
Educación Infantil, second cycle (ages 3 to 6) — This stage is free in the public system and attached to primary schools. Most children in Spain attend from age 3. Families may pay separately for lunch and extended hours. Private and international schools accept children from age 3, sometimes earlier, with fees varying by school.
International and alternative preschools — Most international schools in Spain accept children from age 3, and many from age 2 or earlier. Montessori and Waldorf programmes are well-established in major cities and similarly start from age 2 or 3. These options cost more than standard private preschools but are popular with expat families who want English-medium provision from the earliest years.
Nannies (niñero/as) — Nannies and childminders are available through agencies and private networks. Standard rates are approximately €10 to €14 per hour; full-time nannies working regular hours typically earn €1,200 to €1,800 per month depending on the city. As always, thorough background checking is essential when hiring private childcare.
Summer camps — Available through schools, private organisations, and municipal councils (Ayuntamientos). Camps focusing on sports, languages, arts, and outdoor activities are widely available. International schools typically run their own summer programmes, which are popular with expat families.
How StartAbroad Supports Families
Choosing the right school is one of the highest-stakes parts of a family relocation, and one of the most time-sensitive. StartAbroad’s Concierge and package clients receive access to our database of international schools across Spain, guidance on how the registration process works and when to act, and support navigating the Spanish system as a non-Spanish-speaking family. Explore our relocation packages to find out how we can help.
Frequently Asked Questions: Schools in Spain
Can expat children attend public schools in Spain?
Yes. Children of legal residents are entitled to free public education. Registration is managed at the autonomous community level, with windows typically in the spring for the following September. Children are assigned to a school based on their home address.
Is schooling in Spain in English?
Public schools teach in Spanish, or in the regional co-official language in Catalonia, the Basque Country, and other regions. English is a mandatory subject from primary school. For fully English-medium education, international schools are the right option. Many also offer bilingual instruction.
What is a concertado school?
A concertado is a privately run school that receives public funding and charges modest fees, typically €100 to €300 per month. Many are Catholic. They generally offer a more attentive environment than public schools while remaining far more affordable than fully private or international schools. They are a significant and distinctly Spanish part of the education landscape.
Are there International Baccalaureate (IB) schools in Spain?
Yes. IB schools are concentrated in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and the major coastal expat areas, including the Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca. Many also offer British A-level and American curriculum programmes.
When should I start looking for international schools in Spain?
As early as possible — ideally one to two years before you plan to move. Enrollment at the most sought-after schools opens in autumn for the following academic year, with offers made in late winter. The most popular international schools maintain long waiting lists.
Is homeschooling legal in Spain?
It is not explicitly illegal, but it is not formally recognised either. The legal position varies by autonomous community. Most expat families who homeschool do so through enrollment with an accredited international online school, which provides a more defensible legal position than informal parent-led instruction. Check whether your visa conditions require proof of school enrolment.
Is childcare expensive in Spain?
Relative to Northern Europe or North America, Spain is affordable for childcare. Public preschool from age 3 is free. Private nurseries for children under 3 typically cost €400 to €800 per month. Bilingual and international nurseries in major cities cost more.
What language will my child be taught in at a public school?
In most of Spain, the main language of instruction is Spanish. In Catalonia, the Basque Country, the Balearic Islands, and Galicia, the regional co-official language is used significantly in public schools.
How old does my child need to be to start school in Spain?
Compulsory schooling begins at age 6. Free public preschool (Educación Infantil, second cycle) is available from age 3. Private nurseries and international schools accept children from age 2 or earlier, and some from as young as 3 or 4 months.
What language support is available for children who do not speak Spanish?
Requirements vary by autonomous community, but public schools are generally expected to provide support to children learning Spanish as an additional language, often through specialized regional adaptation tracks like ATAL in Andalusia. The quality of this provision varies considerably by school. International schools handle the language transition more smoothly for English-speaking children, as they are a core part of their intake.
What is the maximum allowed annual rent increase cap in 2026?
If you are renting a home to establish your school catchment zone, note that annual rent updates are legally unlinked from standard CPI. Instead, increases are strictly capped by the specialized Rental Price Index (IRAV) published by the National Statistics Institute. For the 2026 calendar year, the maximum allowed annual rent update is capped at 2.14%.