Schools in Spain for Expats: Public, Concertado and International Options (2026 Guide)

Schools in Spain: Public, Concertado and International Options

Choosing a school is often the single biggest decision expat families make when relocating to Spain. The good news: Spain has a broad, well-developed education system with three distinct tracks — fully public (colegios públicos), state-subsidised private (concertados), and fully private (including international schools). Each works differently, costs different amounts, and serves different family situations.

This guide walks you through how each option actually works in 2026, how to enrol, what to expect culturally, and how to think about raising bilingual kids in Spain.

How the Spanish school system is structured

Before comparing schools, it helps to understand the stages, which apply across all three sectors:

• Educación Infantil — ages 0–6 (split into two cycles; the second cycle, 3–6, is free in public schools)
• Educación Primaria — ages 6–12 (6 years, compulsory)
• ESO (Educación Secundaria Obligatoria) — ages 12–16 (compulsory)
• Bachillerato — ages 16–18 (optional, pre-university)
• Formación Profesional (FP) — vocational tracks, increasingly popular

Education is compulsory from age 6 to 16. The academic year typically runs from early September to late June, with breaks at Christmas, Easter, and a long summer holiday.

Option 1: Public schools (colegios públicos)

Public schools are free (you pay only for books, materials, meals, and extracurriculars) and open to all legal residents regardless of nationality. They're run by the regional government (comunidad autónoma), which means the curriculum, language of instruction, and even the school calendar vary noticeably between regions.

What to expect:

• Language of instruction depends on the region. In Madrid, Andalucía, or Valencia (Spanish-language areas) classes are in Spanish, often with bilingual English programmes. In Catalonia, instruction is primarily in Catalan; in the Basque Country, Basque (Euskera) plays a major role; in Galicia, Galician; in the Valencian Community and Balearic Islands, Valencian/Catalan is widely used.
• Quality varies by school and neighbourhood, not just by region. Ask local parents and visit before deciding.
• Many public schools now offer bilingual programmes (typically Spanish–English), where a portion of subjects is taught in English.

Best for: Families committed to integrating fully, planning to stay long-term, and comfortable with their children learning in Spanish (or the co-official regional language).

Option 2: Concertado schools

Concertados are privately run schools — often historically Catholic, though many are now secular or non-denominational — that receive public funding in exchange for following the national curriculum and capping fees. They sit between public and private.

What to expect:

• Low monthly fees for "voluntary" contributions, plus charges for meals, uniforms, materials, and extracurriculars. Costs vary widely; ask each school for a current breakdown.
• Same national curriculum as public schools, with the same official qualifications (ESO, Bachillerato).
• Often smaller class sizes, more extracurricular activities, and a stronger institutional identity than public schools.
• Many have religious affiliations (Catholic, Opus Dei, Jesuit). Increasingly there are secular and cooperative concertados too.
• Admission uses the same points-based system as public schools (proximity, siblings, income), but popular concertados are oversubscribed.

Best for: Families wanting more structure, a particular ethos, or smaller classes without paying full private fees — and who are happy with a Spanish-language education.

Option 3: International and fully private schools

International schools are the default choice for many expat families, especially those on shorter assignments or who want their children to continue an English-language curriculum. Spain has a particularly rich offering in Madrid, Barcelona, Marbella, Valencia, Mallorca, and the Costa del Sol.

Common curricula you'll find:

• British schools — IGCSE and A-Levels, often accredited by UK inspectorates
• American schools — High School Diploma, often with AP courses
• International Baccalaureate (IB) schools — PYP, MYP, and Diploma Programme
• French (Lycée Français), German (Deutsche Schule), Swiss, Swedish, Japanese and other national schools — following their home country's curriculum

What to expect:

• Tuition is the main consideration. Fees range enormously — from moderate to very high — depending on city and prestige. Request a current fee schedule directly from each school and ask about enrolment fees, capital levies, and annual increases.
• Waiting lists are real, particularly in Madrid and Barcelona. Apply 6–12 months ahead where possible.
• Spanish as a Second Language is usually offered, but the amount of Spanish your child actually absorbs depends on the school and your family's effort outside school.
• Many international schools also teach the Spanish national curriculum in parallel, so students leave with both an international qualification and the Spanish título.

Best for: Families on time-limited stays, those wanting English-medium instruction, or families whose children are mid-secondary and would struggle to switch academic languages.

How enrolment works

The process differs by track, but a few essentials apply across the board:

1. Get your paperwork in order first. You'll typically need your child's passport, NIE (foreigner ID number), empadronamiento (town hall registration), vaccination record, and previous school records (often officially translated and sometimes legalised with an apostille).
2. Public and concertado admissions open in a defined window each spring (usually March–April) for the following September. Applications go through the regional education department's online portal. Points are awarded for proximity, siblings already enrolled, family income, and disability.
3. Mid-year arrivals are handled through the comisión de escolarización, which places children in schools with available spots — you may not get your first choice.
4. International schools run their own admissions year-round, with entrance assessments and interviews.

Rules, deadlines and required documents change. Confirm current procedures with the school and the regional education ministry (*Consejería de Educación*) before you act.

Realistic considerations

• Language immersion is faster than parents fear, but harder than schools promise. Children under 10 typically adapt within a year; teenagers struggle more and may need a transitional international school year.
• The regional language matters. If you're moving to Barcelona, Bilbao, or Valencia, accept that your child will be educated substantially in Catalan, Basque, or Valencian in the public/concertado system. This is not optional.
• The school day is long — often 9:00 to 16:30 or 17:00, with a midday meal at school. Some schools (especially in summer) run jornada continua (mornings only).
• Summer holiday is roughly 11 weeks. Plan for camps (campamentos) and childcare.

Common mistakes expat families make

• Underestimating the regional language in Catalonia, the Basque Country, Galicia, Valencia or the Balearics.
• Assuming "bilingual public school" means fluent English instruction. Quality varies; visit and ask how many hours per week are actually in English and who teaches them.
• Waiting too long to apply to international schools in Madrid and Barcelona.
• Choosing a school before choosing a neighbourhood. Public/concertado admissions are proximity-weighted — your address determines your options.
• Skipping the *empadronamiento* — without it, you can't enrol in a public or concertado school.

Short FAQ

Can my children attend public school if we're on a non-lucrative or digital nomad visa? Yes. Legal residents have the same right to public education as Spanish citizens, regardless of visa type.

Will my child learn Spanish at an international school? Some, yes — all international schools teach Spanish as a subject and most include cultural integration. But for true fluency, you'll need exposure outside school: friends, sports clubs, summer camps.

Are concertado schools religious? Many are Catholic by tradition, but the religion class is usually optional and an alternative ethics class is offered. There are also secular and cooperative concertados.

How do Spanish qualifications transfer abroad? The Spanish Bachillerato is widely recognised by universities in Europe and increasingly in North America. The IB Diploma is the most portable. UK and US curricula transfer naturally to their home systems.

Education rules, admission deadlines, and fees change frequently and vary by region. Always confirm current procedures with the specific school and your regional Consejería de Educación before making decisions.