Education and schools

If you are a foreigner thinking about starting to live in the Spanish territory, the school your children will go to is one of the factors you should first take into account when making your decision. Understanding how the educational system works in Spain will be fundamental, and the range of schools available should be a priority when choosing the city where you will settle in with your family. Therefore, in this article you are about to get an overview of childcare in Spain, that will help you choose the perfect school, nursery or high-school!

Pre-school education

Age 0 – 3 years, not compulsory and not free

Price range: Public nursery – 150€ to 200€ / Private nursery – ca. 300€

Infant education

Age 3 – 6 years, not compulsory

Public nursery, completely free
- Private nursery, fees vary

Primary education

Age 6 – 12 years, obligatory

Pay for materials and extras, e.g., Meals

Secondary education

12 – 16 years, compulsory and free

Pay for materials and extras e.g. Meals

High school

16 – 18 years

Bachillerato

Pay for materials and extras, e.g. Meals

In Spain there are three different educational systems

Public
Private
Mixed or "centros concertados"

Obviously, there are many differences between each of them. Nevertheless, all schools, nurseries and high-schools in Spain are required by law to teach the same content, as this is something that is determined by the central government. So, in that sense you will not find any difference as far as the information to be received.

However, the methodology used to teach such content can be quite different, and that becomes the differential factor that makes you choose one option or the other.

In addition, as a general rule, all schools in the country (and at all educational levels) work hard on being as inclusive as possible from an early age, and encourage diversity, so foreign children usually have no problems integrating with their peers.

Home schooling is not legally permitted in Spain.

it is not necessary for parents to be legal residents in Spain if they want to enroll their children in school, they only have to be registered in the townhall in which they live, and provide this certificate or census so that the school has the address written down in case any incident happens.

Many foreign parents send their children to public schools because they are close by and promote the integration of their children. Contrary to the belief that public schools always guarantee the better education, public schools in Spain do very well.

If you prefer to send your child to a private, bilingual school, here is a selection of schools in the region:

Schools Alicante

Schools Murcia