Choosing a school in Spain is one of the most important decisions expat families face when moving with children. The right choice can shape your child’s language skills, friendships, confidence, university options and how quickly your family settles into Spanish life.
Spain offers several schooling routes, including state schools, semi-private concertado schools, private schools and international schools. Some families want full integration into the Spanish system. Others need curriculum continuity because they may return to the UK, Ireland, the United States or another country later. Some parents are focused on language support, while others are looking for British schools in Spain, IB schools in Spain or private schools with smaller class sizes.
This updated guide explains the main schools in Spain for expats, how the Spanish education system is structured, what to consider when comparing international schools in Spain, and why homeschooling in Spain needs careful thought before you rely on it as your main plan.
If you are still planning your relocation, you may also find our moving to Spain checklist and our guide to things to know before moving to Spain useful.
Expat families in Spain normally choose between four main types of school: state schools, concertado schools, private schools and international schools. Each option has advantages and drawbacks, and the best choice depends on your child’s age, language level, personality, academic needs and how long you expect to stay in Spain.
For younger children, a Spanish state or concertado school can work very well because they often adapt quickly to the language and local culture. For older children, especially those close to GCSEs, A-levels, the International Baccalaureate or university entrance, an international school may provide a smoother academic transition.
The decision is not simply about which school is “best”. It is about which school is best for your child. A confident seven-year-old may thrive in a local Spanish school. A 15-year-old arriving with no Spanish and important exams ahead may need a very different route.
The Spanish education system is organised into several stages: early childhood education, primary education, compulsory secondary education, upper secondary education, vocational training and university education.
Education is compulsory from age 6 to 16. This compulsory stage is known as basic education and includes Primary Education and Compulsory Secondary Education, known as ESO.
Early childhood education is known as Educación Infantil. It is divided into two cycles: ages 0 to 3 and ages 3 to 6. The second cycle, from 3 to 6, is not compulsory, but many children in Spain attend from age 3 because it helps with language, social development and preparation for primary school.
For younger expat children, early years schooling can be a very effective way to start learning Spanish naturally. Children at this age often adapt faster than parents fear, although the first few weeks can still involve tears, confusion and a heroic amount of snack-box negotiation.
Primary Education, or Educación Primaria, generally covers ages 6 to 12. It is compulsory and forms the first major stage of basic education.
In public schools, teaching is usually in Spanish or in the co-official regional language where applicable. In regions such as Catalonia, the Valencian Community, Galicia and the Basque Country, language policy can be a major factor when choosing a school.
Compulsory Secondary Education is known as Educación Secundaria Obligatoria, or ESO. It normally covers ages 12 to 16 and ends with the Graduado en Educación Secundaria Obligatoria qualification if the student passes.
For expat children arriving during ESO, school choice needs careful thought. Older children may need extra language support, and families should consider whether the Spanish system, an international school or a bilingual/private option is more realistic.
After ESO, students may continue to Bachillerato, which is normally for ages 16 to 18 and is often chosen by students planning to go to university. Another route is vocational training, known as Formación Profesional or FP.
International school students may instead follow A-levels, the International Baccalaureate, an American high school programme or another foreign curriculum, depending on the school.
State schools in Spain are publicly funded and do not charge tuition fees. They are usually the most natural route for families who plan to stay in Spain long term and want their children to integrate fully into Spanish life.
The main advantage is immersion. Children learn the language, make local friends and become part of the local community. This can be especially valuable for younger children who are likely to continue their education and adult life in Spain.
The challenge is language. Public schools usually teach mainly in Spanish or a regional language. In some areas, children may need to learn both Spanish and Catalan, Valencian, Galician or Basque. That can be a gift in the long term, but it may be difficult at first, especially for older children.
State school places are usually linked to your address. Families often need to provide paperwork such as passports, birth certificates, previous school reports, vaccination records where requested, and proof of address or local registration. Requirements and admissions calendars vary by Autonomous Community, so always check with the local education authority.
If you are arranging your move, our guide to empadronamiento in Spain explains local registration, while our guide to getting an NIE number explains one of the key identification steps many families need.
Concertado schools are semi-private schools. They are privately run but receive public funding, which means they usually charge lower fees than fully private schools.
Some concertado schools have a religious foundation, although this varies. Others are more general in character but may still have their own ethos, admissions criteria and additional costs for meals, transport, uniforms, activities or voluntary contributions.
For some expat families, concertado schools offer a middle ground between full state education and private education. They may provide a more structured environment, sometimes with a stronger bilingual offer than the nearest state school, while still being more affordable than many private or international schools.
However, they are still part of the Spanish education environment. That means language, curriculum and regional rules remain important. Families should visit the school, ask about support for foreign students and check whether the child’s age and Spanish level are realistic for the year group.
Private schools in Spain are fee-paying schools that may follow the Spanish curriculum, a bilingual model, a foreign curriculum or a mixed approach. Fees vary widely depending on the school, location, facilities, language offer and age of the child.
Private schools may appeal to expat families who want smaller classes, more English support, more extracurricular activities, or a school that can be more flexible with admissions outside the normal public-school calendar.
It is important to check exactly what type of private school you are considering. Some private schools are Spanish private schools with extra English. Others are international schools using a British, American, French, German or IB curriculum. Those are not the same thing.
Before committing, ask about accreditation, curriculum, exam pathways, university entrance, language support, special educational needs, transport, school lunches, extra fees and whether students can transfer smoothly into another system later.
International schools in Spain are one of the most popular options for expat families, especially those who want continuity with a home-country curriculum or who may move again in the future.
International schools can follow different systems, including British, American, French, German, Swedish, Norwegian, International Baccalaureate and other national or international curricula. Many are located around major cities and expat areas such as Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Malaga, Marbella, Alicante, Mallorca, Tenerife and the Costa Blanca.
The biggest advantage is continuity. If your child has already started GCSEs, A-levels, the IB Diploma or an American high school pathway, an international school may reduce disruption. It can also help children who do not yet speak Spanish, because many international schools teach mainly in English or another foreign language.
The downside is cost. International schools are usually among the most expensive schooling options in Spain. Fees can increase significantly at secondary level, and families must also budget for registration fees, uniforms, books, transport, lunches, trips, exam fees and extracurricular activities.
You should also check that the school is properly authorised. If studies are completed in a foreign educational establishment located in Spain, official recognition depends on that establishment being fully authorised to provide those studies by the relevant education authority in Spain.
Many parents search for the best international schools in Spain, but there is no single school that is best for every family. The right school depends on your child’s age, curriculum needs, language profile, personality, university plans and the area where you live.
Instead of relying only on rankings, compare schools using practical questions:
Visit the school if possible. A school can look impressive online and still be a poor fit for your child. Talk to current parents, ask about staff turnover, look at communication style and check whether your child feels comfortable there.
British schools in Spain are especially popular with UK families and other English-speaking expats who want their children to follow a familiar academic route. Many British schools teach GCSEs and A-levels, although each school should be checked individually.
This route can be a good fit for children who may return to the UK, apply to British universities, or continue within a British curriculum elsewhere. It can also make life easier for children arriving in secondary school with limited Spanish.
However, parents should not assume that every school calling itself British offers the same quality, recognition or exam pathway. Check accreditation, inspection reports where available, teacher qualifications, exam results and whether Spanish language and culture are properly supported.
British schools may also vary in how international they feel. Some are heavily British. Others have a more mixed student body, with Spanish and international pupils following a British-style curriculum.
IB schools in Spain offer one or more International Baccalaureate programmes. The IB Diploma Programme is especially popular with families who want an internationally recognised qualification for university applications in different countries.
The IB can be academically demanding. It suits students who are organised, independent and comfortable with a broad workload. For some teenagers, it is an excellent route. For others, A-levels or another pathway may be more suitable because they allow more subject specialisation.
Parents considering IB schools should ask which IB programmes are offered, how long the school has been authorised, what language the Diploma is taught in, what university guidance is provided and how students typically perform.
The phrase “Spanish international school” can mean different things. Some people use it to describe an international school located in Spain. Others mean a school that combines Spanish and international education. Others are looking for a school where children can learn Spanish while following a foreign curriculum.
This distinction matters. A school may be international because it follows a foreign curriculum. Another may be Spanish but bilingual. Another may offer both Spanish qualifications and international qualifications. Before applying, check what curriculum is actually taught and what qualifications your child will receive at the end.
If your child may later move into the Spanish university system, ask whether the school prepares students properly for Spanish university entrance requirements. If your child may return to the UK, Ireland, the US or another country, check whether the qualification will be recognised there.
When parents search for the best schools in Spain, they often focus on league tables, fees or reputation. Those things matter, but they do not tell the whole story.
A good school for an expat child should offer academic quality, emotional support, language support, clear communication with parents and a realistic transition plan. It should also understand the needs of children who have moved countries, left friends behind and may be learning a new language while trying to keep up academically.
Ask how the school supports children who arrive without Spanish, English or the main teaching language. Do they offer extra language classes? Are students placed by age, ability or language level? How long does it usually take new arrivals to settle?
If your child is older, curriculum continuity is critical. Moving between systems at 14, 15 or 16 can be difficult. Check exam pathways before you move, not once your child is already halfway through the year.
Relocation can be emotionally difficult for children. Ask about pastoral support, bullying policies, counselling, tutor systems and how the school helps new international students integrate.
A brilliant school is less brilliant if the daily commute is exhausting. Check school bus routes, traffic, start times and whether your child will have any social life outside the car.
Do not look only at tuition fees. Ask about registration fees, deposits, materials, uniform, lunches, transport, exams, trips, sports, technology, after-school care and annual increases.
Homeschooling in Spain needs careful handling. Spain has compulsory education from age 6 to 16, and the normal route is attendance through the recognised education system.
Homeschooling is not clearly regulated as a standard mainstream option in the same way it is in some countries. For that reason, families should not assume they can simply homeschool in Spain without consequences, especially if they are resident here and their child is of compulsory school age.
Some expat families use online schools or distance-learning programmes, particularly when they are in Spain temporarily. However, if your family is living in Spain long term, you should take specialist legal advice and check with the relevant regional education authority before relying on homeschooling as your main education route.
The risk is not just academic. If local authorities believe a child of compulsory school age is not receiving proper schooling, the family may face enquiries or pressure to enrol the child. This is one of those areas where “someone on Facebook said it was fine” is not a legal strategy. It is barely even a strategy with shoes on.
The documents required can vary by region, school type and the child’s age, but families are commonly asked for several of the following:
For public and concertado schools, applications are usually handled through the regional education authority or the local schooling process. For private and international schools, you normally apply directly to the school.
If you arrive outside the normal admissions period, speak to the local education office and schools as early as possible. Public school places may depend on availability, while private and international schools may have their own waiting lists or entrance assessments.
Language is one of the biggest differences between school options in Spain. In many public schools, Spanish is the main teaching language. In regions with a co-official language, such as Catalonia, Galicia, the Basque Country and the Valencian Community, that regional language may also play a major role.
This can be positive for younger children because they may become bilingual or multilingual. For older children, it can be more difficult, especially if they are preparing for exams.
International schools may teach mainly in English, but many still include Spanish lessons. Some also teach Catalan, Valencian or another regional language, depending on location and legal requirements.
Before choosing a school, ask how much teaching is in each language and what support is available. Do not rely on vague words like “bilingual” without asking what that actually means during a normal school week.
Schooling is only one part of relocating with children. Healthcare is another major issue, especially for families applying for visas, residency or private school places where medical information or insurance evidence may be requested.
Some families will access public healthcare through work, Social Security registration, the S1 route or another entitlement. Others, especially non-EU families applying for certain visas, may need private health insurance before arriving in Spain.
Private health insurance can also be useful for families who want faster access to paediatricians, specialists and private hospitals, or who want English-speaking medical support where available.
If you are still working out your family’s residency route, our guide to choosing a residency visa for Spain and our article on family reunification in Spain may help.
If you are moving to Spain with children, arranging the right health insurance early can help avoid delays with visa or residency paperwork and give your family access to private healthcare once you arrive.
HealthPlanSpain can help you compare Sanitas health insurance options for families, including cover for children, couples and long-term residents in Spain.
View the Sanitas Mas Salud Family plan
The best school in Spain for your child depends on your long-term plan. Before making a decision, ask yourself how long you expect to stay, whether your child may return to their previous education system, how strong their Spanish is, what exams they are working towards and whether your budget is realistic for the full school journey.
If your child is young and you plan to stay permanently, a state or concertado school may offer the best integration. If your child is older or likely to move countries again, an international school may be safer academically. If your child needs a specific curriculum, specialist support or a particular language pathway, private or international options may be worth the cost.
Visit schools in person if possible. Speak to the headteacher or admissions team. Ask uncomfortable questions. A school that answers clearly is usually a better sign than one that relies only on glossy brochures and palm trees.
School and location should be planned together. A great school may not work if the commute is too long or the area does not suit family life.
They are not. Curriculum, accreditation, exam routes, fees and quality vary widely.
In some regions, your child may need to study in or learn a co-official language. Check this before choosing a public or concertado school.
Teenagers need careful planning around exams, curriculum changes and university goals. This is not the time for “we’ll see how it goes”.
School fees are only part of the cost. Transport, lunches, uniforms, books, exams and activities can add up quickly.
Homeschooling in Spain is not something to improvise. Get advice before making it your plan.
Schools in Spain offer expat families a wide range of options, from local state schools and concertados to private and international schools. The right route depends on your child, your budget, your language expectations and your long-term plans.
For many families, international schools in Spain provide continuity and an easier transition. For others, Spanish state schools offer the best chance of integration and language development. Private and concertado schools sit somewhere in between, depending on the school itself.
The main point is to plan early. School places, admissions dates, documents, language support, healthcare cover and where you live all connect. Get those pieces lined up before the move, and your child’s start in Spain will be far smoother.
Spanish Government: Organisation of the education system
Eurydice: Spain education system overview
Ministry of Education: Recognition and validation of foreign non-university studies
Updated: May 11, 2026 CET
Updated: February 11, 2026 CET
