The education system in Spain is well developed and offers options for both local and foreign citizens. Parents who plan to move should familiarize themselves with the types of schools, enrollment procedures, and potential costs.
📚 How to enroll children in school
Children of foreign citizens have the right to basic and secondary education in Spain, regardless of their residence status. Education is mandatory for children aged 6 to 16.
The enrollment process includes:
Enrollment in the local education authority (Consejería de Educación)
Documentation: passport, residence permit (if applicable), proof of address
Admission to the nearest available school (depending on capacity)
In public schools, students learn in Spanish, with additional support for students who do not speak it fluently.
🏫 Types of schools
Spain offers various types of schools:
Primary school (Educación Primaria)
Secondary school (Educación Secundaria)
Vaspitno-obrazovni centri (CEIP, CEPA)
In addition to public schools, there are also private and semi-private (concertadas) schools, which may have bilingual programs or instruction in foreign languages.
🌐 International vs. local schools
Local schools (public and subsidized private) are free or low-cost, but require adaptation to local culture and language.
International schools:
Instruction in English or other languages
Attended by children from different countries
Offer British, American, IB or bilingual curricula
Ideal for temporary stay or families planning to move to multiple countries
💸 Education costs
Public schools: free, with symbolic costs for materials and meals