Learning Spanish at an Escuela Oficial de Idiomas (EOI): fees, levels and enrolment

The Escuelas Oficiales de Idiomas (EOI) are Spain’s public language schools. They teach languages to adults and teenagers at a fraction of the cost of a private academy, and their certificates are official. Many EOIs also offer Spanish for foreigners. Places are limited and the application window is short, so it helps to know how the system works before you apply. This guide focuses on Andalucía, but the system is similar in other regions.

For a broader overview of ways to learn the language, from private schools to DELE exams and apps, see our guide to learning Spanish in Spain.

What an EOI is and who can enrol

An EOI is a public school run by the regional education department, in Andalucía the Junta de Andalucía. Courses follow the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), from beginner to advanced, and end with official certification exams.

The Junta’s access rules for the 2026/27 school year say:

• Classroom courses (presencial): you must be 16 or turn 16 in the year the course starts. From 14, you can study a language that is different from the first foreign language you take at secondary school (ESO).
• Blended and distance courses: generally for people who are 18 or turn 18 that year, with some exceptions from 16, for example for people who work and can’t attend regular classes.
• Distance courses: you also need administrative residence in a municipality in Andalucía.

Not every EOI teaches Spanish for foreigners (español para extranjeros). Check the course offer on the website of the school nearest you before you apply.

Levels and how to start at the right one

• Básico (A1 and A2): beginner level, normally two courses.
• Intermedio B1
• Intermedio B2
• Avanzado C1
• Avanzado C2

Some levels are split into more than one school year, so check how many courses your target level takes at your school. You don’t have to start at the bottom. If you already have an official certificate, for example from another EOI or one of the qualifications the Junta recognises, you can apply directly for the next level up. If you know some Spanish but have no certificate, you apply for the first course and tick the option for a placement test (prueba inicial de clasificación). The school then places you in the right course.

When to apply: the calendar

Admission is done once a year for most courses, and the Junta publishes the calendar each spring. As an example, for the 2025/26 school year in Andalucía:

• Applications: 1 to 20 May.
• Admission results: published in late June.
• Enrolment (matrícula): 1 to 10 July.
• Spanish as a foreign language: there was also a second intake for courses starting in the second term, with applications in January 2026.

If you missed the May window for 2026/27, ask your nearest EOI whether it runs a second-term Spanish intake this school year and when the dates are published. You can also ask whether any places are still free. The Junta’s escolarización pages for languages have the official calendar and application forms.

Fees and discounts

EOI courses are not free, but they cost much less than most private courses. In Andalucía you pay the enrolment fee with the regional payment form modelo 046. As an example, the fee instructions published by EOI Chiclana in 2025 listed €79.81 for a new student enrolling in one language, and €57.88 for a returning student who has been enrolled at an Andalusian EOI before. Fees are updated, so check your own school’s current figures.

• 50% discount: for members of a general-category large family (familia numerosa).
• Exemptions: for example for special-category large families, people with a recognised disability of 33% or more, victims of gender or domestic violence or terrorism, and holders of certain education grants.
• Proof: you must attach the documents that prove your right to the discount or exemption.

Books and materials are usually extra. If you only want to sit the official certification exam without attending classes (modalidad libre), you also pay an enrolment fee.

What classes are like and how to get the most out of them

Classroom courses run over the school year with a fixed group and a fixed timetable, set by each school. Attendance and regular work count, and the steady rhythm over many months is one of the main strengths of an EOI course.

• Choose a schedule you can keep after the first enthusiastic weeks.
• Add listening between classes. Short podcasts, Spanish radio or audiobooks on an app such as Storytel (ad) fit into the car or a walk.
• Use the language at the market, the bank or the town hall, even when English would be quicker.
• If you need Spanish for work, see our tips on writing a Spanish CV and preparing for a job interview.

EOI or a private language school?

• EOI: low cost and official certificates, but fixed calendars, limited places and less flexibility if you travel or work shifts.
• Private school: start any week, intensive or small-group options and often exam preparation, at a higher price.

Many people combine the two: a private intensive course to get started, then an EOI course for steady progress. For help choosing a private course, see our guide to language schools in Spain.

If you need Spanish for an official process, check which certificate is accepted. For Spanish nationality, for example, the Ministry of Justice asks for the Instituto Cervantes DELE exam (A2 or higher) unless you are exempt, not an EOI certificate.

FAQ: studying Spanish at an EOI

Do I need a NIE to apply to an EOI?

You need an identity document for the application, and foreign residents normally use their NIE. Ask the school what it accepts if you don’t have one yet.

Can I join an EOI course in the middle of the year?

Usually not for annual courses, but some schools offer second-term Spanish courses with a January intake. Ask your nearest EOI what it offers this school year.

Is the EOI certificate recognised outside Spain?

EOI certificates are official Spanish qualifications linked to CEFR levels. Whether an employer or institution abroad accepts them is up to them, so check if you need a certificate for a specific purpose.

What happens if I get a place but don’t enrol?

If you don’t complete the enrolment (matrícula) in the set period, you lose the place and it goes to the next person on the list.

Useful links

• EOI access requirements (Junta de Andalucía)
• EOI admission calendar 2025/26 (BOJA)
• Instituto Cervantes exams (DELE and CCSE)

Disclaimer: This article is general information, not legal or financial advice. Rules and prices change, so check with the official source before you decide. Links marked “(ad)” are affiliate links – NewInSpain may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.