School Fees in Spain 2026–27

The numbers by city

Annual tuition as listed on school profiles on 6 November 2026. "Starting fee" is the lowest listed fee at each school, usually the youngest year group. Where a school lists a single figure, we count it as both its lowest and highest fee.

A few things stand out. Barcelona has the widest spread: the same city has schools starting around €6,300 and schools whose final years cost more than €20,000. Madrid has more schools at the lower end (11 of 23 start at €7,500 or less), but its top fees are similar to Barcelona's. Valencia is noticeably cheaper across the board: none of the schools with listed fees goes above about €10,000 a year.

Compare every school

Fees change every school year, and schools don't always publish every stage. Use the table to build a shortlist, then ask each school for its current fee sheet.

What the annual fee usually covers, and what it doesn't

The annual fee (sometimes called tuition or cuota) normally covers teaching during the school year. What sits outside it varies from school to school, and it can add up. When you compare schools, ask about each of these:

• Enrolment fee (matrícula or inscripción). Usually paid once, when your child joins, and often not refundable. Some schools also charge a smaller amount each year to reserve the place.
• Lunch (comedor). Usually charged separately, monthly or per term. At many schools it's optional in the early years and expected later.
• School bus. Priced by route or zone. It matters most for schools outside the city centre.
• Uniform, books and materials. Often a set cost at the start of each year, plus devices at some schools.
• Trips, activities and after-school clubs. Usually extra, and they vary a lot.
• Exam fees. Schools that teach external programmes, such as IGCSE, A levels or the IB Diploma, may charge exam entry fees in the final years.

Enrolment fees

Of the schools that list one, enrolment fees range from €1,150 to €6,000 in Barcelona (9 schools), €250 to €3,300 in Madrid (14 schools) and €900 to €3,250 in Valencia (4 schools). Ask whether it's refundable if your plans change, whether siblings pay it again, and whether there's a separate yearly re-enrolment fee.

Why fees rise as children get older

Most schools charge more for primary than for early years, and more again for secondary. The highest fees are usually for the last two years, especially at schools that teach the IB Diploma or A levels. That's why one school can show a range like €9,000 to €27,000: it's the same school at different stages. When you budget, look at the fee for the years your child will actually be there, not just the starting figure.

Public, concertado and private: what each costs

• Public schools (públicos) don't charge tuition. Families usually still pay for lunch, books, some materials, trips and after-school activities.
• Concertado schools are privately run but state-funded, so tuition is free. Most ask families for a monthly voluntary contribution, and lunch, extra hours and activities are charged separately. They teach the Spanish curriculum, often with more English or extra languages than a typical public school.
• Private and international schools set their own fees, which is where the ranges above come from. New to the system? Our guide to the Spanish education system explains how the three fit together and how places are allocated.

If you're working to a budget

Many families tell us they have a total figure in mind for all their children, not a per-child fee. On listed starting fees, 7 of 23 schools in Barcelona, 11 of 23 in Madrid and 9 of 12 in Valencia start at €7,500 a year or less. Starting fees are for the youngest years, so check what the fee will be for your child's age and how it changes as they move up.

Two other routes are worth knowing about. Concertado schools charge no tuition. And some international schools offer sibling discounts, or let you pay over 10 or 12 monthly instalments, so ask about both.

Questions to ask a school about fees

1. What is the full yearly cost for my child's year group, including lunch and the bus?
2. Is there an enrolment fee? Is it refundable, and do siblings pay it again?
3. How much do fees usually go up from one year to the next?
4. Are there sibling discounts?
5. How do payments work: termly, or 10 or 12 monthly instalments?
6. What will the final years cost (IB Diploma or A levels, if relevant), and are exam fees extra?

Frequently asked questions

How we got these numbers

These figures come from the annual fees listed on each school's SchoolFinder Spain profile as of 6 November 2026. They are based on the schools' own published fee information wherever it's available. We don't take payment from schools, and fees don't affect how schools are shown. Fees change every year, so always confirm the current fee sheet with the school. Schools: if your fees are missing or out of date, you can claim your profile for free and update them yourself.