Spain's School System Explained: A Guide for Expat Parents

Moving to Spain with children often means learning a whole new school vocabulary: Infantil, Primaria, ESO, Bachillerato, concertado, homologación, bilingual, international. Some of it sounds familiar. Some of it absolutely is not.

This guide explains how the Spanish education system works, what choices families usually face, and the questions worth asking before choosing a school.

How Spain's Education System Is Organised

Spain's national education system is built around four main stages, and compulsory schooling runs from ages 6 to 16. However, most children start school earlier — the majority of families enrol their children in preschool from age 3.

Here's a quick overview of each stage.

Stage 1: Educación Infantil (Ages 0–6)

This is early childhood education, split into two cycles:

• First cycle (0–3 years): Nurseries, known as guarderías or escuelas infantiles. These are generally fee-paying, even in the public sector.
• Second cycle (3–6 years): Free and widely available in public schools. Though not compulsory, the vast majority of Spanish families take advantage of it. These preschool years are crucial for language immersion and social development.

For expat families, this second cycle is often where children begin picking up Spanish (and in some regions, Catalan or Valencian) naturally through play.

Stage 2: Educación Primaria (Ages 6–12)

Primary school lasts six years and is free and compulsory. Children study a broad curriculum covering literacy, maths, natural sciences, social sciences, art, PE, and a foreign language — almost always English.

Spanish primary school focuses on building strong academic foundations in a relatively relaxed environment. School hours vary by region and school; see our school hours in Spain guide.

Stage 3: Educación Secundaria Obligatoria — ESO (Ages 12–16)

This is the equivalent of secondary school and lasts four years. It is compulsory and free in public schools. At the end of ESO, students receive a qualification that opens the door to further education.

The curriculum becomes more subject-specific here, and students begin to encounter a wider range of teachers and subjects. In international schools, this stage often aligns with preparation for IGCSE or equivalent qualifications.

Stage 4: Post-Compulsory Education (Ages 16–18+)

After completing ESO, students have two main paths:

• Bachillerato: A two-year academic track leading to the Selectividad (university entrance exam), now called the EVAU or EBAU depending on the region.
• Formación Profesional (FP): Vocational training, which has gained significantly in prestige in recent years.

Students in international schools may instead follow the IB Diploma Programme, A-Levels, or the American curriculum's Advanced Placement (AP) courses — all widely accepted by Spanish and international universities.

The Four Types of Schools in Spain

Understanding the difference between school types is perhaps the most important thing for any expat family. Spain has four main categories, and the right choice depends on your family's priorities, budget, and timeline.

The school choice map for international families in Spain

A simple visual with four paths:

1. Public Schools (Colegios Públicos)

Public schools are free and open to all children living in Spain, regardless of nationality or documentation status. They follow the national curriculum and are managed by Spain's regional governments — which is why there are variations depending on whether you live in Catalonia, Madrid, or Valencia.

Best for: Families planning a long-term stay who want full cultural and linguistic integration. Children typically pick up Spanish quickly through immersion.

Things to know: Admission is based on a points system tied to your proximity to the school, whether you have siblings enrolled, and in some cases income. Applying during the correct window (usually spring) is essential.

2. Concertado Schools (Semi-Private)

Concertados are privately managed but receive public funding, meaning fees are significantly lower than fully private schools — often just a few hundred euros a year for activities and materials. Many are affiliated with the Catholic Church, though secular concertados exist.

Best for: Families who want a middle ground — a degree of structure and values-based education without the full cost of private schooling.

Things to know: Like public schools, concertados use a points-based admissions system. They can be very popular and oversubscribed in desirable areas.

3. Private Schools (Colegios Privados)

Fully private schools charge fees and operate independently of the state curriculum, though they must still meet minimum national standards. They often offer smaller class sizes, more extracurricular activities, and bilingual programmes.

Best for: Families who want a strong academic environment with more English instruction but prefer a school grounded in the Spanish system.

Things to know: Annual fees typically range from €4,000 to €12,000 or more depending on the school and city. Browse private schools in Barcelona to see what's available.

4. International Schools

International schools teach primarily in English (or another language) and follow a foreign curriculum — typically British (leading to IGCSEs and A-Levels), American (AP courses), or the International Baccalaureate (IB). They are accredited by international bodies and their qualifications are recognised globally.

Best for: Families on shorter postings, those uncertain about the length of their stay, or families who want their children to maintain academic continuity with their home country's system.

Things to know: These are the most expensive option. Annual fees in Barcelona and Madrid typically range from €8,000 to €25,000+ depending on year group and school prestige. See our dedicated guide to international schools in Barcelona for a deeper dive.

Key Differences by Region: Barcelona, Madrid, and Valencia

One important thing to understand about Spain is that education is decentralised. Each of the 17 autonomous communities sets its own education policies on top of the national framework — and this affects language of instruction significantly.

• Barcelona (Catalonia): Catalan is the main language of instruction in public and concertado schools, with Spanish also taught. This surprises many expat families. International schools teach in English and are less affected by this.
• Madrid: Spanish is the primary language of instruction in public schools. Madrid has one of the highest concentrations of international and bilingual schools in the country.
• Valencia: Valencian (a variety of Catalan) and Spanish are both used in local schools. The city has a growing international school sector catering to a rising expat and digital nomad population.

What Are School Hours in Spain?

School hours in Spain aren't set nationally. Most primary schools start around 9:00 and finish around 14:00 (continuous day) or 16:30 (split day with a long lunch break). Secondary schools often run from about 8:00 to 14:30, and international schools from about 9:00 to 16:30. Our guide to school hours in Spain explains split vs continuous days, lunch, shorter days in June and September, and the differences by region.

School calendar

The school year runs from September to June. Exact start and end dates, Christmas and Easter breaks and local holidays are set by each autonomous community, and some schools shorten the day in September and June (jornada intensiva). Check your region's official school calendar for the current year, or see our school holidays in Spain guide for the 2026–27 dates in Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia and Málaga.

Questions to ask the school: What time does the day start and finish for my child's year group? Is it a split or continuous day? Are hours shorter in September and June? What do early drop-off, lunch and after-school care cost?

What About Language Support for Non-Spanish-Speaking Children?

This is understandably one of the biggest concerns for expat parents. The good news is that Spanish children are famously welcoming, and most schools are experienced in helping new arrivals settle in.

Public and concertado schools typically offer some level of Spanish language support. In international schools, English Language Acquisition (ELA) or English as an Additional Language (EAL) programmes are standard. Some schools charge extra for this support, so it's worth asking during the admissions process.

Quick Summary: Which School Type Is Right for Your Family?

FAQs

Next Steps

Understanding the framework is just the beginning. Once you know which type of school fits your family, the next step is researching specific schools in your city, understanding the admissions timelines, and planning ahead — especially for popular international schools, which can have waiting lists of a year or more.

Explore our city-specific guides to go deeper:

• International schools in Barcelona
• International schools in Madrid
• Schools in Valencia
• How to apply to an international school in Spain

And if you're weighing up the IB vs. British vs. American curriculum, our curricula comparison will help you make sense of the options.