For families, schools in Spain are often the deciding factor in where — and whether — to move. The good news: Spain offers everything from free state schools to world-class international ones. The trick is understanding the system, the language question, and the enrolment timing before you arrive. This 2026 guide breaks it down.
This is the cornerstone education guide. For the wider relocation picture, start with our complete guide to moving to Spain, then use this page for the schooling detail.
The three types of school
- Public (colegio público) — free, state-funded, and taught in the regional language(s). Good quality, especially at primary level, and the fastest route to integration and fluency for younger children.
- Concertado — semi-private schools that are state-subsidised but charge modest fees; often religious, very popular with Spanish families.
- Private and international — fee-paying, ranging from Spanish private schools to international schools teaching a foreign curriculum.
The language question
This is the single biggest consideration for expat families. In bilingual regions, state schooling is delivered partly or mainly in the co-official language — Catalan in Catalonia, Valencian in Valencia, Basque in the Basque Country, Galician in Galicia. Young children typically absorb this quickly; teenagers may find it harder, which is why many families with older children lean towards international schools. Our city guides for Barcelona, Valencia and Bilbao explain the local language models, while Madrid and Seville teach primarily in Spanish.
International schools
Spain has a deep network of international schools, concentrated around Madrid, Barcelona and the coasts, offering British, American, French, German and International Baccalaureate (IB) curricula. They let children continue in English (or their home-country system), ease transitions, and connect families to an international community — at a cost, with annual fees commonly ranging from around €5,000 to €20,000+ depending on the school and city. Popular schools have waiting lists, so apply early. Our guide to choosing an international school in Barcelona walks through how to weigh the options.
The stages of Spanish schooling
The system runs in clear stages: infantil (pre-school, 0–6, the upper years widely available free), primaria (primary, 6–12), ESO (compulsory secondary, 12–16), and then either Bachillerato (academic, 16–18, the route to university) or Formación Profesional (vocational training). Education is compulsory from 6 to 16. Knowing which stage your child enters helps you compare schools and plan the move around the academic year.
How to enrol
The essentials for state and concertado schools:
- Empadronamiento — you’ll usually need your padrón certificate, as places are allocated partly by catchment area.
- Application window — the main enrolment period typically falls in spring (often around March–April) for the September start; mid-year places depend on availability.
- Documents — passports, NIE, the padrón, vaccination records and previous school reports (translated where required).
International schools run their own admissions year-round — apply directly and well ahead.
The school day, year and extra costs
The school year runs from September to late June, with a long summer break and shorter holidays at Christmas and Easter. Hours vary — many primary schools run a continuous morning-into-early-afternoon day, others split with a long lunch — and most offer paid wraparound care (aula matinal) and extracurriculars. Even “free” public schooling carries some costs: books, materials, trips, and the optional canteen (comedor). Budget for these alongside any fees.
Higher education
Spain’s public universities are well regarded and affordable compared with the UK or US, with a growing number of English-taught degrees and a strong pull for international students through the Erasmus programme. Private universities and business schools add further English-language options.
Getting help
Choosing and applying to schools across a language barrier is easier with local insight — find vetted, English-speaking education advisers and other professionals in our Insider Directory. This guide is general information; confirm current enrolment rules with your chosen school or town hall.
Planning the bigger move? Return to our moving to Spain guide, explore Expert Advice, or — if you work in education — become an Insider.