Are Spanish public schools good for expat children?

Spanish public schools provide solid academic foundations and are excellent for language immersion if your family plans to stay 3+ years. Children under 10 typically pick up Spanish within 6–12 months. The main challenge is the first 6–12 months before language acquisition — most schools have support programmes for non-Spanish speakers. Quality varies significantly by school and neighbourhood.

How much do international schools cost in Spain?

International school fees vary widely: British curriculum schools in Madrid and Barcelona range from €8,000 to €22,000/year. American schools range from €15,000 to €22,000/year. IB schools are typically €10,000–€18,000/year. French Lycée schools are heavily subsidised at €3,000–€8,000/year. Concertado (semi-private) bilingual schools cost €1,000–€5,000/year.

Should my children go to a Spanish public school or an international school?

The answer depends on your timeframe and language goals. For stays of 1–2 years, international schools provide curriculum continuity and make re-integration easier. For stays of 3+ years or permanent moves, Spanish public school or concertado school is recommended — children become genuinely bilingual, integrate socially, and costs are dramatically lower.

Can my children study at a Spanish school without speaking Spanish?

Yes. Spanish law requires public schools to accept all resident children regardless of language ability. Most schools offer Spanish Language Acquisition support (ALCE or similar programmes) for newly arrived non-Spanish-speaking children. Younger children (under 10) adapt quickly; older teenagers (14+) face a more challenging transition and may benefit from starting at an international school.

What university options are there in Spain for English speakers?

Spain's public universities (Complutense, Barcelona, Autónoma) offer an increasing number of English-taught master's and postgraduate programmes at fees of €2,000–€8,000/year — excellent value vs. UK or US equivalents. IE Business School and IESE Business School in Barcelona are world-class private business schools with full English-medium MBAs. For undergraduate study, language proficiency in Spanish or Catalan is generally required at public universities.

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🇪🇸 Spain

Education

Spain has a well-developed education system spanning free public schools, subsidised concertado (semi-private) schools, and a wide range of international schools catering to British, American, French, German, and International Baccalaureate curricula. For expat families, the choice between international schooling and Spanish public schooling depends heavily on language goals, budget, and the likely duration of your stay..

Free

Public School Cost

For all registered residents

€8,000–€22,000/yr

International School Fees

Varies by school and curriculum

€12,000–€20,000/yr

British School Fees (Madrid)

Kings College, British Council

€750–€2,500/yr

University Tuition (public)

EU/resident rate; much less than US/UK

6–16 years

Compulsory School Age

Free and compulsory in Spain

Last updated: March 2026

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Overview

Key Takeaways

Free for all children legally resident in Spain, regardless of nationality — no fees, no application costs.
British curriculum schools (IGCSE/A-Levels): King's College Madrid (€14,000–€20,000/yr), The British Council School Madrid (€8,000–€16,000/yr), The English Montessori School — strong reputation and British university preparation.
Fees typically range from €1,000–€5,000/year — far cheaper than fully private international schools.
Universidad Complutense de Madrid: one of the largest universities in the world; strong in law, medicine, social sciences; annual fees for EU/resident students approximately €1,500–€2,500.

Spanish Public Schools

Spain's public school system (colegios públicos) provides free education to all resident children from age 3 (voluntary from 3–6, compulsory from 6–16). Public schools teach entirely in Spanish (or the regional language in Catalonia, Basque Country, and Galicia), making them an excellent immersion option for families planning to stay long-term.

Free for all children legally resident in Spain, regardless of nationality — no fees, no application costs.
School hours are typically 9am–2pm (jornada continua model) or split sessions 9am–1pm and 3pm–5pm — varies by region and school type.
In Catalonia, Basque Country, and Galicia, instruction is primarily in the regional language (Catalan, Basque/Euskera, Galician), with Spanish as a subject — consider this when choosing which Spanish city to move to.
Language support: most public schools offer Spanish language support classes (ALCE or PASE programmes) for newly-arrived non-Spanish-speaking children.
Quality varies significantly by neighbourhood — schools in higher-income areas typically perform better on national assessments; check school rankings at escuelas.info or similar platforms.

International Schools in Spain

Spain has an extensive international school sector, particularly in Madrid and Barcelona, where dozens of schools offer British, American, IB, French, and German curricula. International schools are the preferred choice for expat families on shorter postings or those whose children need curriculum continuity for a potential return to their home country.

British curriculum schools (IGCSE/A-Levels): King's College Madrid (€14,000–€20,000/yr), The British Council School Madrid (€8,000–€16,000/yr), The English Montessori School — strong reputation and British university preparation.
American curriculum (AP/High School diploma): American School of Madrid (€16,000–€22,000/yr), American School of Barcelona (€15,000–€21,000/yr) — ideal for families planning US university applications.
International Baccalaureate (IB): many private and international schools offer the IB Diploma — globally recognised and available at schools like Colegio Europeo de Madrid and ISB Barcelona.
French Lycée: Madrid and Barcelona both have French government-subsidised Lycée Français schools — fees €3,000–€8,000/yr; excellent for French-speaking families.
German schools (Deutsche Schule): available in Madrid and Barcelona; operating under German curriculum with fees comparable to British schools.
Waiting lists: top international schools in Madrid and Barcelona often have 1–3 year waiting lists — contact schools as early as possible, ideally 18+ months before your planned start date.

Concertado (Semi-Private) Schools

Concertado schools are partially state-funded private schools that offer a middle ground between free public schools and expensive international schools. They typically teach in Spanish (or regional language) with some additional English instruction and charge modest fees.

Fees typically range from €1,000–€5,000/year — far cheaper than fully private international schools.
Most concertado schools are affiliated with the Catholic Church, though secular options exist — check the school's religious orientation if relevant to your family.
Academic reputation is generally stronger than public schools in the same area — popular with Spanish middle-class families and cost-conscious expats.
English instruction: most concertados offer bilingual programmes (Spanish/English) — look for the 'bilingüe' designation when researching.
Apply early: concertado schools in popular areas have competitive admissions — applications for September starts typically open in February/March.

Universities and Higher Education

Spain has a strong public university system with fees dramatically lower than UK or US equivalents. Madrid and Barcelona host world-ranked universities that attract thousands of international students annually, with a growing number of English-taught degree programmes.

Universidad Complutense de Madrid: one of the largest universities in the world; strong in law, medicine, social sciences; annual fees for EU/resident students approximately €1,500–€2,500.
Universidad de Barcelona: top-ranked in Spain; strong medical, science, and humanities faculties; significant English-taught postgraduate offering.
IE Business School (Madrid) and IESE (Barcelona): Spain's two world-class private business schools — MBA programmes €60,000–€90,000 but with strong ROI in European and Latin American careers.
ESADE (Barcelona): highly ranked law and business school; strong for European business roles.
Erasmus programme: Spain is the most popular Erasmus destination in Europe — thousands of European students study here annually, creating an international university culture.
English-taught programmes: both Complutense and Universidad de Barcelona offer English-medium master's degrees in business, engineering, and social sciences — check their international programme pages.

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