Primary and Secondary Schools in Spain

In Spain, primary and secondary schools cover the years from early childhood to the end of upper secondary education at 18. Education is compulsory from 6 to 16. Families moving to Spain can choose between the Spanish system, taught in public, state-funded private (concertado) and private schools, and international schools that follow another country's curriculum.

Our directory currently lists 293 active primary and secondary schools in Spain. Many of them are international schools, and they are concentrated in Madrid and its surrounding towns, Barcelona, Mallorca, the Costa del Sol and Seville.

How the Spanish school system works

The stages and ages are set by national law and are the same across the country:

• Educación Infantil (early years): two cycles, up to age 3 and from 3 to 6; not compulsory
• Educación Primaria (primary): six school years, normally from age 6 to 12
• Educación Secundaria Obligatoria (ESO, lower secondary): four years, normally from age 12 to 16
• Bachillerato (upper secondary): two years, normally from 16 to 18; not compulsory

Primary school starts in the calendar year in which a child turns six. ESO is compulsory and free, and pupils may stay in it until the age of 18 if they need more time. Completing ESO leads to the Graduado en Educación Secundaria Obligatoria. The Bachillerato is offered in several tracks (modalidades) and prepares students for higher education, including the university entrance exam (PAU).

International schools

Alongside Spanish schools, many schools in Spain teach the curriculum of another country, usually in English or in that country's language. Examples in our directory include British schools such as Bellver International College in Palma, founded in 1950, which takes students up to A-levels; American schools such as the American School of Madrid, open to students of all nationalities since 1961, which offers the IB programme; German schools such as the Colegio Alemán de Bilbao; and the Colegio Internacional Sueco near Madrid, which teaches in Swedish in its Swedish section and in English in its international section. There are also Montessori and Waldorf schools.

Before choosing, check which qualification a school leads to and whether the school is authorised by the Spanish education authorities, especially if your child may later continue in the Spanish system or apply to a Spanish university.

Admission for children from abroad

Children of compulsory school age who arrive from another country are placed in a primary or secondary year according to their circumstances, knowledge, age and school history. No recognition of previous studies is needed to join the Spanish system up to the fourth year of ESO. For the Bachillerato or vocational training, foreign studies must first be recognised (homologación or convalidación) by the Ministry of Education: the Graduado en ESO requires the last four years of study and the Bachiller title at least the last three. Documents must be official, legalised and come with an official translation into Spanish.

Places in public and concertado schools are allocated by each region's education authority. When there are not enough places, priority goes to criteria such as siblings already at the school and proximity of the family's home or workplace. Private and international schools run their own admissions.

Students who finish an international or foreign upper secondary qualification and want to go to a Spanish university usually apply through UNEDasiss, which assesses international students' academic records.

Costs and funding

Compulsory education is free in public schools. Concertado schools are privately run but publicly funded, and private and international schools charge their own fees, which vary widely by school, stage and location; ask each school for its current fee list, including enrolment, meals, transport and uniforms. The Ministry of Education runs grants for students in post-compulsory education, including the Bachillerato, and for students with specific educational support needs.

How to choose a school

• curriculum and final qualification (Spanish Bachillerato, IB, A-levels, US diploma or another national system)
• language of instruction and support for children who do not yet speak it
• official authorisation and any foreign accreditation the school states
• location and school transport, since many international schools are outside city centres
• class sizes, facilities and extracurricular activities
• total annual cost, not just tuition

Frequently asked questions

At what age is school compulsory in Spain?

From 6 to 16. Primary school starts in the calendar year a child turns six, and lower secondary (ESO) normally ends at 16.

Can my child join a Spanish school in the middle of the year?

Yes. Children of compulsory school age from abroad are placed in a year according to their age, knowledge and school history, and no recognition of earlier studies is needed up to the fourth year of ESO.

Do I need to have foreign school certificates recognised?

Only to enter the Bachillerato or vocational training, or to obtain a Spanish Graduado en ESO or Bachiller title. The Ministry of Education handles this homologación or convalidación.

Are international schools in Spain free?

No. Public schools are free during compulsory education, but international schools are private and set their own fees.