Moving to Spain What School Can You Choose for Your Children
Choosing a school is often the decision that makes a move to Spain feel real. Housing matters, paperwork matters, but school shapes a child’s language, friendships, routine, and sense of belonging from the first week.
Spain gives families several routes: state schools, semi-private schools, private Spanish schools, international schools, and bilingual programmes. The best choice depends on your child’s age, language level, long-term plans, budget, and where you live. A school that works beautifully in Madrid may not fit the same family in Valencia, Málaga, Barcelona, or a smaller inland town.
This guide explains the main school options in Spain, what each one feels like in practice, and how to make a confident choice before you move.
Understanding the Spanish school system
Spain’s education system is organised by age and stage. The names may be unfamiliar at first, but the structure is simple once you see how it fits together.
Stage | Typical age | Is it compulsory |
Educación Infantil first cycle | 0 to 3 | No |
Educación Infantil second cycle | 3 to 6 | No, but widely used |
Educación Primaria | 6 to 12 | Yes |
Educación Secundaria Obligatoria, known as ESO | 12 to 16 | Yes |
Bachillerato | 16 to 18 | No |
Formación Profesional, known as FP | Usually from 16 | No |
School is compulsory from age 6 to 16. Many children start much earlier, often at age 3, because the second cycle of infantil is a normal part of school life in Spain.
The school year usually runs from September to June, with long summer holidays and shorter breaks around Christmas and Easter. The exact calendar changes by region and sometimes by town.
Spain also has regional education systems. That means rules, enrolment dates, language policy, and holiday calendars vary across autonomous communities. Catalonia, the Basque Country, Galicia, Valencia, the Balearic Islands, and other regions may use a co-official language in school alongside Spanish. This can be a strength for children who settle long term, but it is a key factor for newly arrived families.
A child moving to Barcelona may study mainly in Catalan. A child moving to Valencia may meet Valencian at school. In Galicia, Galician may be part of daily learning. This does not mean children will not learn Spanish, but it does affect the school experience.
The main types of schools in Spain
Most families choose from four broad types of schools. Each has a different balance of cost, language, curriculum, and local integration.
State schools
State schools, known as colegios públicos for primary and institutos públicos for secondary, are funded by the government and free to attend. Families normally pay for items such as school meals, books, materials, trips, and optional activities.
For many children, a local state school is the fastest route into Spanish life. They make friends nearby, hear Spanish every day, and join the rhythm of the neighbourhood.
State schools are often a strong choice when:
The family plans to stay in Spain for several years or longer.
The child is young enough to pick up the language naturally.
Local integration matters more than following a foreign curriculum.
The budget does not allow for private or international schooling.
The main challenge is language. A 5-year-old may adapt quickly. A 14-year-old arriving with little Spanish may need more support, especially because secondary school subjects become more demanding.
Some regions provide language support for newcomers, but provision varies. Before choosing a school, ask how it supports children who arrive without fluent Spanish or the regional language.
Semi-private schools
Semi-private schools are known as colegios concertados. They receive public funding but are privately managed. They often have a specific educational, religious, or cultural identity. Many are Catholic, though not all.
Concertado schools usually charge less than fully private schools, but families may still pay voluntary contributions, lunch fees, uniforms, books, materials, and extracurricular costs. The word “voluntary” can feel unclear in practice, so it is sensible to ask the school directly what families normally pay each month.
These schools can be attractive because they may offer:
A structured environment.
A strong local reputation.
More continuity from early years through secondary.
A mix of Spanish families and international families in some cities.
Admission can be competitive, especially in popular neighbourhoods. Like state schools, concertados generally follow the Spanish curriculum rather than a foreign one.
Private Spanish schools
Private Spanish schools, known as colegios privados, do not rely on public funding in the same way. Families pay fees directly. These schools follow the Spanish curriculum, but they may offer smaller classes, more facilities, longer school days, or a stronger bilingual programme.
A private Spanish school can suit families who want local integration but also want more control over facilities, teaching approach, or language support.
Before choosing one, look beyond the brochure. Ask about:
The real language balance in class.
Whether “bilingual” means a few subjects in English or a broader programme.
How many international pupils attend.
Whether the school has experience with newly arrived children.
The pathway after age 16.
Private Spanish schools vary widely. Some feel very local. Others feel almost international, especially in major cities and coastal areas with many foreign residents.
International schools
International schools are popular with families who may move again, have older children, or want continuity with a home-country curriculum. Spain has schools offering British, American, French, German, International Baccalaureate, and other programmes.
They are usually the most expensive option, but they can reduce stress during a move. Children may continue learning in a familiar language, follow an exam system they already know, and meet other children who have moved countries.
International schools can work well when:
A child is close to important exams.
The family may leave Spain within a few years.
Parents want a British, American, IB, or other non-Spanish curriculum.
The child would struggle academically if placed straight into Spanish-language classes.
The trade-off is integration. Children may live in Spain but spend most of their school day in English, French, German, or another language. They can still learn Spanish, but families may need to make extra effort through local clubs, sports, music, and friendships outside school.
How to choose based on your child’s age
Age matters more than almost any other factor. A school that is perfect for a 4-year-old may be stressful for a 15-year-old.
Children under 6
Young children often adapt faster than parents expect. If a child starts in infantil, they can absorb Spanish through play, songs, routines, and classmates.
At this age, local state or concertado schools are often a good option if the family plans to stay. International school may still be right, especially if parents want a specific curriculum, but language is usually less of a barrier for younger children.
For children under 3, Spain has nursery schools known as escuelas infantiles or guarderías. Some are public, some private. Places in public nurseries can be limited, and application rules vary by municipality.
Primary school children
Primary-age children are still flexible, but the transition depends on personality and previous schooling. A confident 7-year-old may settle quickly in a Spanish state school. A 10-year-old who finds language learning difficult may need a softer landing.
For this age group, focus on support. Ask schools:
How do you help children who arrive without Spanish?
Will my child receive extra language help?
How do teachers communicate with parents who are still learning Spanish?
Are there other international pupils?
What happens if my child needs to repeat or catch up?
Repeating a year in Spain is possible, though schools do not treat it casually. Sometimes families worry about it, but for a child learning a new language, an extra year can give breathing space.
Secondary school children
Secondary school is the most delicate stage. From age 12, children enter ESO, where subjects become more academic and assessment matters more. Arriving with little Spanish can be hard, especially in regions with a co-official language.
For teenagers, international school may be the smoother choice, especially if they are near GCSEs, A levels, the IB, the French baccalauréat, or another exam pathway. A Spanish school can still work, but it needs careful planning and honest advice from the school.
Ask about subject choices, exams, university access, and whether your child’s previous school records will be recognised. If your teenager wants to study at university outside Spain later, check how the school’s diploma or qualifications support that route.
Language and curriculum are the big questions
When families compare schools, they often start with reputation. Reputation helps, but language and curriculum usually matter more.
A Spanish state, concertado, or private Spanish school will usually follow the Spanish curriculum. This can be ideal if Spain is now home. It gives children a clear route into Spanish qualifications, local friendships, and daily life.
An international school follows a different curriculum. This can protect continuity if the move is temporary or if a child is already tied to a specific exam system.
The language of instruction is not always obvious from the school name. A school may describe itself as bilingual, but that can mean many things. It might teach English as a strong subject, or it might teach science, art, or history in English. In some cases, the school may be genuinely bilingual across much of the timetable.
In regions with co-official languages, ask precise questions:
Which subjects are taught in Spanish?
Which subjects are taught in the regional language?
How much support is available for newcomers?
What language do children use socially in the playground?
How does the school assess children who arrive mid-year?
For a child, the playground language matters almost as much as the classroom language. Friendships help language stick. If the school community is welcoming, children often make progress faster.
Enrolment, documents, and timing
The school application process depends on the type of school and the region.
For state and concertado schools, the main application period is usually in spring for a September start. Exact dates vary. Families apply through the regional education authority or local process, often ranking preferred schools.
Places may be allocated using points. Common factors can include where the family lives, whether siblings attend the school, family circumstances, and sometimes parents’ workplace location. The details vary by region.
Private and international schools manage their own admissions. They may accept applications year-round if places are available, but popular schools can fill early.
Common documents may include:
Child’s passport or identity document.
Parent or guardian identification.
Proof of address in Spain, often a registration certificate from the town hall.
Previous school reports.
Vaccination or health records, depending on school and region.
Family book or birth certificate, where requested.
Academic records for older children.
If documents come from another country, a school may ask for translations or official copies. Secondary students may face extra steps if previous studies need formal recognition. Requirements can change, so confirm directly with the school or education authority.
Timing can be tricky if the family has not yet secured housing. State school places are often tied to address, so choosing a neighbourhood and choosing a school are linked. Many families shortlist schools before renting or buying, then choose housing within reach of the preferred option.
Practical questions to ask before you decide
A school visit can reveal more than a website. Look at how staff speak to children, how pupils behave between classes, and whether the answers feel clear.
Good questions include:
What languages are used in each year group?
How many children are in each class?
How do you support children who arrive from abroad?
What is the daily timetable?
Is lunch provided, and what time does school finish?
What costs should families expect across the year?
Are uniforms required?
What extracurricular activities are offered?
How does the school handle bullying or social difficulties?
What communication tools do teachers use with parents?
For older pupils, what qualifications do students leave with?
Pay attention to the school’s attitude. A school that has helped many international families will usually explain the process calmly. If answers feel vague, keep asking.
Also think about daily life. A school may look excellent, but a long commute can wear down the whole family. Spain’s school day can also affect working hours, lunch plans, and after-school care. Some schools have a split day, while others use a continuous day. This varies by region and school type.
Matching the school to your family’s plans
There is no single best school type in Spain. The right choice depends on what the move is meant to be.
If Spain is a long-term move, a state or concertado school can help children become part of local life. Younger children, in particular, often gain a lot from full immersion.
If the move is temporary, an international school may protect academic continuity. This matters most for older children and those tied to exam systems.
If you want Spanish integration with more English support, look at private Spanish schools and strong bilingual programmes. These can offer a middle path, but the quality and language balance vary.
If your child has additional learning needs, speak to schools early. Spain has support systems, but provision differs by region and school. International schools also vary in what they can offer. Be direct about your child’s needs, because a school that is honest about its limits is better than one that promises support it cannot provide.
For homeschooling, families should be cautious. Home education in Spain sits in a legally uncertain area and is not the standard route. Anyone considering it should get current local advice before relying on it.
The happiest school choice is rarely just the one with the best exam results. It is the one where the child can learn, communicate, make friends, and feel safe while the whole family builds a new life.
A practical next step is to make two shortlists: one by school type and one by neighbourhood. Then compare them together. In Spain, school and location often cannot be separated.
The move will bring paperwork, new routines, and moments of doubt. A well-chosen school gives children a steady place to begin. Once they have a classroom, a teacher who knows their name, and a friend to sit with at lunch, Spain starts to feel less like a move and more like home.
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