Madrid International Schools: A Practical Guide for Expat Families

Madrid has one of the widest choices of international schools in Spain. That is good news, and it is also why the search can feel overwhelming.

You will find British schools that have been in the city for decades, American schools with US diplomas, IB schools, a large French Lycée with two campuses, a German school, a Swiss school, and a long list of Spanish private schools that teach a lot of the day in English.

This guide won't tell you which one is "best", because that depends on your child. It will help you understand the options, where the schools are, what to budget, and how to get to a realistic shortlist.

What "international school" means in Madrid

In Madrid, "international school" can mean several different things:

• A school following a foreign national curriculum: British, American, French, German or Swiss.
• A school offering the International Baccalaureate (IB), sometimes alongside another curriculum.
• A Spanish private school with a strong English programme that calls itself international or bilingual.

Two schools can use the same word and feel very different on a visit. Before comparing fees or rankings, ask each one: what language are lessons taught in, which exams do students sit at 16 and 18, and where do graduates go next?

The curriculum landscape at a glance

Compare every Madrid school

You can browse every option in the Madrid school directory and filter by curriculum, stage and type.

British schools in Madrid

Madrid has a large group of British-curriculum schools. They follow the English National Curriculum through IGCSEs and A Levels, and some also offer the IB Diploma in the final two years.

British schools in and around Madrid include:

• King's College School Soto de Viñuelas, north of the city near Tres Cantos
• Runnymede College, in La Moraleja
• Hastings School, in Chamartín
• St. George Madrid, in Sanchinarro
• Richmond Park School, in Mirasierra
• Thames British School, in Monte del Pilar
• The British School - El Colegio Británico, in Somosaguas
• International School of Madrid, in Chamartín
• Maxwell School, in Valdemarín
• Scandinavian School of Madrid, in La Moraleja

See and compare them all in British schools in Madrid.

A point worth checking: some British schools are fully English-medium, while others also teach the Spanish curriculum, so students can finish with both A Levels and the Spanish Bachillerato. If you may stay in Spain, ask whether the school offers that.

American schools in Madrid

American schools work towards a US High School Diploma, often with Advanced Placement (AP) courses or the IB Diploma in the last two years. Ask each school about its accreditation and its university guidance.

Options in Madrid include the American School of Madrid in Aravaca, Aquinas American School in Pozuelo, Lighthouse American School in Valdemarín, Brewster Madrid in Chamberí, City Country School, LIFE International School and Casvi International American School in Tres Cantos.

Several Spanish private schools also combine the Spanish curriculum with an American programme or dual diploma. See American schools in Madrid for the full list.

IB schools in Madrid

The IB Diploma is recognised by universities in many countries, which makes it popular with families who might move again.

International College Spain in La Moraleja teaches IB programmes from primary through to the Diploma. Many other schools offer the IB Diploma in the final two years alongside a British, American or Spanish curriculum, including Hastings School, St. George Madrid, King's College School, the American School of Madrid and the SEK International Schools at Ciudalcampo and El Castillo.

Madrid also has public secondary schools that offer the IB Diploma, such as IES Ramiro de Maeztu, IES San Isidro and IES Cervantes. Places and entry rules differ from private schools, so check each school's process directly.

See IB schools in Madrid for the full list, and our IB schools in Spain page for how the programmes work.

French, German and other national schools

• French: the Lycée Français de Madrid has two campuses, Conde de Orgaz and La Moraleja, each with its own profile. Lycée Français International Molière is west of the city.
• German: Deutsche Schule Madrid in Montecarmelo.
• Swiss: Colegio Suizo Madrid in Alcobendas.

These schools follow their home country's system, so they suit families who speak that language or want their child to learn it. Ask how they admit children who don't yet speak it; the answer depends on the school and the child's age.

Bilingual private and public options

Because Spanish is the only official language in the Community of Madrid, local schools are a realistic option for many international families, especially with younger children.

• Bilingual private schools follow the Spanish curriculum and teach part of the day in English. Examples include Colegio Base, the Highlands Schools, the Los Sauces Schools and Everest School Monteclaro. Browse bilingual schools in Madrid.
• Concertado schools are privately run but publicly funded, so there's no tuition; most ask for a voluntary monthly contribution, and lunch and activities are extra. See concertado schools in Madrid.
• Public schools are free. The Community of Madrid runs a bilingual programme in many public schools, with some subjects taught in English. How much English your child gets depends on the school, so ask.

Not sure how these types differ? Our guide to Spain's school system explains public, concertado and private schools.

Where are Madrid's international schools?

Many international schools are outside the city centre, so your school and your home are one decision. The main areas are:

Most schools out of the centre run bus routes. Ask which routes run from where you plan to live, how long the ride is, and how much it costs, before you sign a rental contract.

How much do international schools in Madrid cost?

Of the 23 Madrid-area schools that list their fees, annual tuition runs from about €4,400 to €25,600. Half start at about €7,600 or less for the youngest year groups, 11 start at €7,500 or less, and six reach €20,000 or more in the final years. Where schools list an enrolment fee, it ranges from €250 to €4,500.

Budget for extras on top of tuition:

• A one-off enrolment or registration fee, which some schools charge per child
• Lunch and school bus
• Uniform, books and devices
• Exam fees for IGCSE, A Levels or the IB
• After-school activities and trips

Our school fees in Spain guide compares published fees for Madrid schools side by side. Fees change every year, so confirm the 2026–27 figures with each school.

Admissions: when to apply

International schools in Madrid usually take applications all year, but some popular schools and year groups fill up early. Contact admissions as soon as you know your moving date, even if it is a year away.

Expect to provide school reports from the last two years, a passport or ID, and sometimes a reference from the current school. Many schools also ask for an assessment or an interview, especially for older children.

For public and concertado schools, the Community of Madrid runs a regional application process each spring for the following September. Check the dates on the Community of Madrid's education website, as they change each year.

Our step-by-step guide on how to apply to an international school in Spain covers documents, timelines and questions to ask.

How to build your shortlist

1. Start with your timeline. Are you staying two years, five years, or for good? Short stays usually point to British, American or IB schools; long stays make bilingual and local schools worth a look.
2. Think about your child's age. Younger children often adapt to a new language quickly. From around 14, keep curriculum continuity for the exam years if you can.
3. Pick two or three areas. Use the table above to match schools with places you'd like to live.
4. Compare three to five schools. Use our compare tool to put curriculum, languages, stages and fees side by side.
5. Visit, and ask the same questions everywhere. What language do children speak at break? How are new arrivals supported? Where did last year's graduates go?
6. Read parent reviews. Each school profile has reviews from families. If you already have a child at a Madrid school, adding your own helps the next family.

Frequently asked questions about international schools in Madrid

How many international schools are there in Madrid?

SchoolFinder Spain lists 36 international and private schools in the Madrid area (November 2026), plus 5 concertados. 17 offer the IB, 11 the American curriculum and 10 the British curriculum, and half also follow the Spanish curriculum.

Which British schools are there in Madrid?

British-curriculum schools in and around Madrid include King's College School Soto de Viñuelas, Runnymede College, Hastings School, St. George Madrid, Richmond Park School, Thames British School, The British School - El Colegio Británico, International School of Madrid, Maxwell School and the Scandinavian School of Madrid. See British schools in Madrid.

Which international schools in Madrid offer the IB?

Schools in our directory offering IB programmes include International College Spain, the American School of Madrid, Hastings School, St. George Madrid, King's College School Soto de Viñuelas and the SEK International Schools, among others. A few public secondary schools in central Madrid also offer the IB Diploma. See IB schools in Madrid.

How much do international schools in Madrid cost in 2026–27?

On the fees listed on SchoolFinder Spain (November 2026), annual tuition at Madrid's international and private schools runs from about €4,400 to €25,600. Half of the 23 schools with listed fees start at about €7,600 or less for the youngest children, and six reach €20,000 or more in the final years. Enrolment fees, lunch and the bus are usually extra.

Do children need to learn a regional language in Madrid?

No. Spanish is the only official language in the Community of Madrid, so there is no regional language such as Catalan or Valencian. International schools still teach Spanish as a subject.

Where do international families live in Madrid?

It depends on the school. Many international schools are north of the city (La Moraleja, Alcobendas, Soto de Viñuelas, Tres Cantos) or to the west (Pozuelo, Aravaca, Majadahonda, Boadilla). There are also schools in the city, in Chamartín, Chamberí and Mirasierra. Shortlist schools first, then look for housing within a commute you can live with.

What is the best international school in Madrid?

There is no single best school for every family. The right choice depends on your child's age, language level, curriculum, budget, commute and where you might move next.

Moving to Barcelona instead? Read our guide to international schools in Barcelona.