Is school free in Spain for foreigners?

Public schools are free and open to all children legally residing in Spain, regardless of nationality. Families pay only for books, materials, meals, and extracurriculars.

What is a concertado school?

A concertado is a semi-private school partly funded by the state. It usually charges a modest monthly fee for extras but follows the public curriculum and admissions rules.

When does the Spanish school year start?

The academic year usually runs from early-to-mid September to late June. Enrolment (matriculación) for the following year opens in spring, typically March to May.

Can I enrol my child mid-year?

Yes. Children arriving mid-year are placed in the nearest school with available spots via the local education office. It's not the standard matriculación route but is normal for relocating families.

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Spanish School System for Expats: Enrolment & Guide (2026)

Enrolling a child in Spain is one of the first big pieces of paperwork for relocating families. Here's how the system works, what your options are, and what documents you'll need.

Quick note: This is a plain-English guide based on official sources and real experience — not legal advice. Rules vary by region (comunidad autónoma) and change often; confirm with your local education office before acting.

The three types of schools

Pública (public): Free, state-run, follows the national curriculum in the regional language(s). Admissions are by a points system based on address, siblings, and family situation. The default choice for most families.

Concertada (semi-private): Privately run but state-funded. Usually charges a modest monthly fee (€50–€300) for extras, uniforms, or religious instruction. Same admissions rules as public. Many are Catholic but not all.

Privada (private): Fully private, often bilingual or international (British, American, French, German curricula). Fees range roughly €5,000–€20,000+ per year. Their own admissions process, often with waiting lists.

The stages of Spanish education

Infantil (0–6): optional; second cycle (3–6) is free in most public schools
Primaria (6–12): compulsory, 6 years
ESO (12–16): compulsory secondary, 4 years
Bachillerato (16–18): optional, pre-university
FP (Formación Profesional): vocational training, various levels

Matriculación: the enrolment process

Check the calendar. The main enrolment window opens in spring (usually March–May) for the following September. Your region's education website publishes exact dates.
Choose your schools. You typically list several in order of preference. Proximity to your registered address (padrón) is the biggest factor in the points system.
Submit the application via your region's education portal or in person at the school. You'll need documents (see below).
Wait for allocation. Provisional lists come out a few weeks later, with a window to appeal. Final lists follow.
Formalise enrolment at the assigned school in June–July with any remaining paperwork and book/materials lists.

Documents you'll typically need

Child's passport or ID
Parents' passports or NIE/TIE
Padrón (proof of address) — often the deciding factor
Libro de familia or equivalent (birth certificate)
Vaccination record (cartilla de vacunación)
Previous school reports, translated into Spanish if not in a co-official language
Any medical or educational needs documentation, if relevant

Documents from abroad usually need to be officially translated (by a traductor jurado) and, for anything academic beyond primaria, may require the homologación process to recognise foreign qualifications.

Arriving mid-year

Missed the spring matriculación window? That's normal for relocating families. Contact your local education office (Consejería de Educación or the town hall's education desk). They allocate a place at the nearest school with capacity — you don't get the same choice as in the main window, but children start quickly.

Language: the honest picture

Public and concertada schools teach in Spanish, plus the co-official regional language in Catalonia, Valencia, the Balearics, Galicia, and the Basque Country. Younger children (under ~10) typically pick the language up within a school year. Older children usually need extra support and often benefit from a bilingual or international school for the first year or two while they adjust.

What people wish they'd known

The padrón matters more than you think — register early
Book lists and materials are on you; budget €200–€400 per child in September
School meals (comedor) are optional and paid, but widely used
Regions differ significantly — Madrid, Catalonia, and Andalucía all run their own systems
International schools have long waiting lists; apply as early as possible

School is one piece of a bigger move

Enrolment is smoother when the rest of your paperwork is already in place — padrón, NIE, residency, healthcare. Each has its own form, office, and local quirks.

We put every step into one clear checklist — the right form, the right office, what to bring, in the right order, kept up to date.

See the full Spain checklist — your first step is free →

Planning guidance based on official sources and real experience — not legal advice. Rules vary by region and change often; confirm with your local education office before acting. Verified 2026.