Types of schools in Spain: public, concertada, private and international

Updated: October 2026

Choosing a school is one of the first big decisions for families moving to Spain. This guide explains the four main types of school, how the school stages work from age three to eighteen, and what newcomers should know about applying for a place and getting foreign studies recognised.

The four main types of school

Public schools (colegio público and instituto)

Public schools are run by the regional education authority and are free. Primary schools are usually called CEIP (colegio de educación infantil y primaria) and secondary schools IES (instituto de educación secundaria). Families still pay for books in some regions, uniforms where used, school trips, the canteen and extra activities. Teaching is in Spanish and, in some regions, in the co-official language. Many public schools also run bilingual programmes with English.

Concertada schools

A colegio concertado is privately owned – often by a religious order or a cooperative – but has an agreement (concierto) with the region, which funds the compulsory stages. Teaching in those stages must be free, and the schools use the same admission rules as public schools. Many ask for a monthly “voluntary contribution” for extras, but it cannot be a condition for getting or keeping a place. Around one in five pupils in Spain attends a concertada school.

Private Spanish schools

Private schools (colegios privados) receive no public funding, set their own fees and choose their own pupils. Most follow the Spanish curriculum, sometimes with a stronger language or sports focus, and their pupils earn the same official Spanish qualifications.

International schools

International schools teach a foreign curriculum, such as the British, American, French, German, Scandinavian or International Baccalaureate (IB) programme. A foreign school must be authorised to operate in Spain and listed in the official register. Some may only accept pupils with the nationality of their own country, so ask before you apply. British schools are especially common on the Costa del Sol, in Madrid and in Valencia, and many belong to the National Association of British Schools in Spain (NABSS). For a closer look at fees and pros and cons, read private schools compared to public schools in Spain.

School stages in Spain

Schooling is compulsory and free from 6 to 16. The school year runs from early or mid September to around late June, and children are placed by calendar year of birth, not by exact age.

Stage	Typical ages	Compulsory?
Educación Infantil, first cycle (nursery)	0–3	No (fees vary by region)
Educación Infantil, second cycle	3–6	No, but free in public schools
Educación Primaria (six years)	6–12	Yes
ESO – Educación Secundaria Obligatoria (four years)	12–16	Yes
Bachillerato (two years)	16–18	No
Formación Profesional (FP)	From 15–16 upwards	No

Pupils who pass ESO receive the Graduado en ESO, which is needed for Bachillerato or intermediate vocational training. Bachillerato prepares students for university. At the end, students who want a university place sit the entrance exam, now called the PAU and still widely known as selectividad. Formación Profesional offers practical training at basic, intermediate (grado medio) and higher (grado superior) levels, in more than 150 qualifications. Read more about younger children in our guide to nurseries and kindergartens in Spain, and about the next step in universities in Spain.

How to get a place at a public or concertada school

Places at public and concertada schools are given out through a regional admission process (escolarización). In Andalucía and many other regions, the main application window for the next school year is in March. If you arrive mid-year, you can still apply at any time; the education office will offer a school with free places.

1. Register at your address on the padrón at the town hall – it decides your catchment area.
2. Visit the schools you like and check their open days.
3. Submit one application listing your preferred schools in order, either at your first-choice school or online.
4. If there are more applicants than places, points decide: distance from home or work, siblings at the school, family income, disability and other criteria.
5. Check the provisional and final lists, then complete enrolment (matrícula) at the school.

Every child living in Spain has the right to a school place, whatever their residence status. You will usually need the child’s passport or NIE, the parents’ ID, the padrón certificate and previous school reports. Private and international schools have their own admissions and often waiting lists, so contact them early.

Foreign school records and language

Children joining primary school or the first years of ESO are normally placed by age, without formal paperwork. For older students, especially those entering Bachillerato or applying to university, foreign studies may need official recognition (homologación or convalidación) from the Ministry of Education. Start early, because it can take months.

Language is the biggest adjustment for most children. Many regions offer extra support for pupils who do not speak Spanish, sometimes called aulas de adaptación lingüística. Parents can help by learning too – see our guide to learning the Spanish language.

Which type of school suits your family?

• Staying long term with young children: a local public or concertada school is usually the fastest way to fluency and friendships.
• Teenagers or short stays: an international school in their own curriculum can avoid disrupting exams.
• Somewhere in between: a private Spanish school with a bilingual programme, or a public bilingual school.

Useful links

• Ministry of Education – the Spanish education system
• NABSS – British schools in Spain
• BOE – Royal Decree 806/1993 on foreign schools in Spain
• Nurseries and kindergartens in Spain
• Private vs public schools in Spain
• Universities in Spain

FAQ: schools in Spain

At what age is school compulsory in Spain?

From 6 to 16, covering primary school and ESO. Most children start earlier, in the free infantil years from age three.

Are concertada schools free?

Teaching in the compulsory stages is free. Many ask for voluntary monthly contributions and charge for extras such as the canteen, but the contribution cannot be compulsory.

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

Yes. Contact the local education office or your town hall. They will offer a place at a school with vacancies, which may not be your first choice.

Do I need residency to enrol my child?

No. All children living in Spain have the right to education. You will need proof of address, usually the padrón certificate. See also our guide to becoming resident in Spain.

Disclaimer: This article is general information only. Admission rules, dates and fees vary by region and school year – always check with the regional education department or the school before you act.