Updated: October 2026

The Costa del Sol has one of the largest concentrations of international schools in Spain, from British and IB schools around Marbella to French and German schools near Málaga. This guide is for families who want their children to keep studying in English or in their home-country system. It explains the main curricula, introduces some well-established schools, and gives you a checklist for visits, costs and admissions.

Which curriculum fits your child?

An international school in Spain teaches a foreign curriculum and must be authorised by the Spanish education authorities. On the Costa del Sol you will mostly find these options:

• British (English National Curriculum): the most common choice, from early years to IGCSE at around 16 and A-levels at 18. Many British schools also offer Spanish language and culture lessons, and some offer the Spanish ESO and Bachillerato in parallel.
• International Baccalaureate (IB): a two-year Diploma Programme for ages 16–18, recognised by universities worldwide. Several British schools offer it in their sixth form, sometimes alongside A-levels.
• National schools abroad: French, German and Scandinavian schools follow their home country’s programme and lead to its exams, such as the French baccalauréat or the German Abitur.

Think about where your child is likely to go to university and how long you plan to stay. A family staying five years or less often prefers the home curriculum so that children can slot back in. A family settling permanently may prefer a school that also teaches strong Spanish, or a bilingual Spanish school. Our overview of the types of schools in Spain compares public, concertada, private and international options.

Some established international schools on the coast

The schools below are long-established and were checked on their own websites or their profile with the National Association of British Schools in Spain (NABSS) in October 2026. This is not a ranking and not a complete list – there are many more schools, including smaller and newer ones.

Marbella and San Pedro Alcántara

• Aloha College (Nueva Andalucía, Marbella): British school for ages 3–18. Pupils take IGCSEs, and the sixth form offers both the IB Diploma and A-levels.
• Swans International School (Marbella): ages 3–18, based on the English National Curriculum with (I)GCSE exams, and the IB Diploma in the sixth form.
• Laude San Pedro International College (San Pedro Alcántara): British curriculum from early years to Year 13 (ages 3–18). From age 12, students can choose the Spanish ESO and Bachillerato route instead.

Málaga city, Torremolinos and inland

• Sunny View School (Torremolinos): British school for ages 2–18 following the English National Curriculum, with the option of Spanish subjects leading to the Spanish secondary certificate (Graduado en ESO).
• Lycée Français International de Málaga (Málaga city): part of the French state’s network of schools abroad, from kindergarten to high school, leading to the brevet and the French baccalauréat. See the school’s presentation page.
• Deutsche Schule Málaga (Ojén, near Marbella): German school from kindergarten to the final years of secondary, preparing pupils for the German Abitur as well as the Spanish Bachillerato.

Other NABSS members in the area include The British School of Málaga, The English International College, Novaschool Sunland International and Calpe School. You will also find Scandinavian, American-curriculum and IB-only schools along the coast. The NABSS school directory is a good place to start for British schools.

How to compare schools

Websites all look polished, so visit in person if you can, ideally on a normal school day rather than only at an open day. Questions worth asking:

• Authorisation and inspection: is the school authorised by the Spanish education authorities, and when was it last inspected? British schools in Spain are usually inspected by a UK-approved inspection body – ask to see the latest report.
• Exam results: IGCSE, A-level or IB results for the last few years, and where leavers went to university.
• Pupil mix: many “international” schools on the coast have a large share of Spanish pupils, which can be great for integration but changes the language heard in the playground.
• Spanish teaching: how many hours a week, and is there support for children who arrive with no Spanish?
• Class sizes and staff turnover: how many teachers left last year?
• Special educational needs: what support is available, and does it cost extra?
• Logistics: school bus routes, start and finish times, and traffic on the A-7 and AP-7 at drop-off time.

What it costs

International schools are private and fees vary a lot between schools and year groups, generally rising as children get older. Most schools publish fees only on request, so ask for a full written breakdown for the current school year. Check what is included:

• One-off application, registration or enrolment fees, and whether any deposit is refundable.
• Termly or monthly tuition, and discounts for siblings or early payment.
• Lunch, school bus, uniform, books, trips and after-school activities.
• Exam entry fees for IGCSE, A-levels or the IB, which are often charged separately.

Add school costs to your overall budget using our guide to family living costs in Spain, and see private vs public schools in Spain for the pros and cons.

Admissions and timing

International schools run their own admissions, separate from the public system. Popular year groups, especially in Marbella, can have waiting lists, so contact schools as early as possible – ideally six to twelve months before you move. A typical process looks like this:

1. Send an enquiry and book a visit or video call.
2. Submit the application form with passports, previous school reports and any learning support reports.
3. Your child may take an entry assessment or English test, especially for secondary year groups.
4. Accept the offer and pay the registration fee or deposit to secure the place.

Term dates at international schools do not always match the public calendar. For the official public dates and the March application window, see our guide to the Spanish school year.

University entry from an international school

A-levels and the IB are accepted by universities in the UK and around the world. Students who want to study at a Spanish university can also apply with these qualifications, but usually need an official accreditation of their results, and some sit extra subject exams to improve their admission score. Ask the school’s careers adviser early – ideally in Year 11 – how former students applied to Spanish universities.

If you might move from an international school to a Spanish school later, keep all reports, and ask whether recognition (homologación or convalidación) of your child’s studies will be needed. It is usually needed from the later years of secondary onwards and can take months.

Useful links

• NABSS – directory of British schools in Spain
• Lycée Français International de Málaga
• Aloha College – IB Diploma and sixth form
• Junta de Andalucía – admission to public schools
• Types of schools in Spain
• Private vs public schools in Spain
• The Spanish school year: calendar and enrolment

FAQ: international schools

How much do international schools on the Costa del Sol cost?

Fees vary widely by school and age group and usually rise in secondary. Ask each school for a written breakdown for the current year, including registration, lunch, transport and exam fees.

Can my child join an international school mid-year?

Often yes, if there is space in the year group. Popular schools may have waiting lists, so contact several schools as soon as you know your moving date.

Will my child learn Spanish at an international school?

Most teach Spanish as a subject, but the level of fluency depends on the hours and on how much Spanish your child uses outside school. Clubs and local activities help a lot.

Do I need to be resident to enrol?

Private schools set their own requirements, but you will usually need passports and an address in Spain. Once you live here, see our guide to becoming resident in Spain.

Disclaimer: This article is general information only and is not a recommendation of any particular school. Curricula, fees and admission rules change – always check directly with each school before you decide.

Updated: October 2026

Moving to Spain with children means learning a new rhythm: a long summer break, a cluster of bank holidays in autumn and spring, and a fixed window each year to apply for a school place. This guide explains how the Spanish school year works, lists the official 2026/27 dates for Málaga province, and shows when and how to enrol your child in a public or concertada school in Andalucía.

How the school year works in Spain

The Spanish school year (curso escolar) runs from September to June. The national government sets the minimum number of teaching days, but each region decides its own calendar, and in Andalucía each of the eight provinces publishes its own version through the provincial education office (Delegación Territorial de Educación). That is why start dates and holidays can differ slightly between Málaga, Sevilla or Granada, and between Andalucía and Madrid or Valencia.

The year is divided into three terms (trimestres): September to Christmas, January to Easter, and Easter to late June. Pupils get a written report (boletín de notas) at the end of each term. Younger children start a few days earlier in September than secondary pupils, and the last day of term is usually the same for all stages except the final year of Bachillerato, which finishes earlier because of the university entrance exam.

If you are still choosing between a public, concertada, private or international school, start with our overview of the types of schools in Spain.

School calendar 2026/27 in Málaga province

The dates below come from the official resolution of the Málaga education office, signed on 20 May 2026. They apply to all publicly funded schools in the province, which covers the whole Costa del Sol from Nerja to Manilva. Private and international schools set their own calendars, although many follow similar dates.

Stage	First day	Last day
Infantil (ages 3–6), Primaria and special education	Thursday 10 September 2026	Thursday 24 June 2027
ESO, 1st year of Bachillerato and FP	Tuesday 15 September 2026	Thursday 24 June 2027
2nd year of Bachillerato	Tuesday 15 September 2026	Monday 24 May 2027
Official language schools (EOI)	Monday 21 September 2026	Thursday 24 June 2027
Public nursery (0–3, first cycle of infantil)	Thursday 3 September 2026	Thursday 29 July 2027

Infantil and primary pupils have 178 teaching days in the year. Nurseries (escuelas infantiles) work on a different model, open almost all year round because they also serve as childcare. Read more in our guide to nurseries and kindergartens in Spain.

Holidays and days off in 2026/27

Spanish schools have no half-term in October. Instead, the year is broken up by national and regional holidays and three longer breaks. These are the non-teaching days for publicly funded schools in Málaga province:

Break or holiday	Dates
Fiesta Nacional de España	Monday 12 October 2026
All Saints’ Day (moved from Sunday)	Monday 2 November 2026
Constitution Day (moved) and Immaculate Conception	Monday 7 and Tuesday 8 December 2026
Christmas holidays	23 December 2026 to 6 January 2027, inclusive
Semana Blanca, including Día de la Comunidad Educativa (26 February)	Week of Monday 22 to Friday 26 February 2027
Día de Andalucía (moved from Sunday 28 February)	Monday 1 March 2027
Easter holidays (Semana Santa)	22 to 28 March 2027, inclusive
Local holidays	Up to two days set by each town hall

Semana Blanca (“white week”) is an Andalucía-specific break around Día de Andalucía. In 2026/27 it joins up with the bank holiday on Monday 1 March, so most children will be off from Saturday 20 February to Monday 1 March.

Local holidays and extra days

Each town has up to two local holidays, often tied to its patron saint or feria, and schools close on those days. If a town’s local holidays fall outside the school term (for example in summer), the calendar adds replacement days off: Monday 29 March (Easter Monday) and Monday 3 May 2027 if neither falls on a school day, or only 3 May if one of them does. Ask your school or check your town hall’s holiday list in September, because these days differ from Marbella to Fuengirola to Málaga city.

The school day

Most public infantil and primary schools in Andalucía use a continuous timetable (jornada continua) with lessons in the morning and no long lunch break, typically finishing in the early afternoon. Secondary schools (institutos) usually start earlier and finish around mid-afternoon. Check your school’s exact hours, as they vary.

For working parents, many public schools in Andalucía take part in the region’s school opening plan, which can include:

• Aula matinal: supervised early drop-off before lessons start.
• Comedor: the school canteen after lessons.
• Actividades extraescolares: afternoon activities such as sport, music or languages.

These services usually have a monthly fee, with discounts depending on family income. Places are limited, so ask about them when you enrol. Factor them into your budget alongside books and uniforms – see our family living costs in Spain guide.

How enrolment works in Andalucía

Getting a place at a public or concertada school is a two-step process: first you apply for a place (solicitud de admisión or escolarización), then you confirm it by enrolling (matrícula).

1. Register on the padrón. Your registered address decides your catchment area and earns admission points. See our guide to registering on the padrón.
2. Apply in March. In Andalucía the ordinary application window for the next school year runs from 1 to 31 March. You submit one application listing your preferred schools in order, online through the Junta’s Secretaría Virtual or at your first-choice school.
3. Check the lists. Provisional and final lists follow in spring. If a school has more applicants than places, points for distance, siblings, income and other criteria decide, and ties are settled by a public draw.
4. Enrol in summer. Once you have a place, you complete the matrícula: usually in early June for infantil and primary, and in early July for ESO and Bachillerato. Pupils already at a school also re-enrol each year.

You will normally need the child’s passport or NIE, the parents’ ID, a padrón certificate and, for older children, previous school reports. Children starting infantil at age three apply in March of the year they turn three, as children are placed by calendar year of birth.

Arriving in the middle of the year

You do not have to wait for March. Children who arrive outside the ordinary window can apply at any time of year. Contact the school you prefer or the Málaga education office: they will offer a place at a school in your area with free places, which may not be your first choice. You can then apply for your preferred school in the next March window. Every child living in Spain has the right to education, regardless of residence status.

Planning for the long summer

From late June to early or mid September, children are off school for around eleven weeks. Town halls, sports clubs and private providers run summer camps (campamentos de verano or escuelas de verano), and many fill up by May, so book early. Public nurseries stay open until the end of July. Keep children safe in the July and August heat with our guides to heatwave safety and beach and sea safety.

Useful links

• Official 2026/27 school calendar for Málaga province (PDF, Spanish)
• Junta de Andalucía – school admission (escolarización)
• Málaga provincial education office (Delegación Territorial)
• Types of schools in Spain
• Nurseries and kindergartens in Spain
• How to register on the padrón

FAQ: the Spanish school year

When does the 2026/27 school year end in Málaga?

The last day of lessons is Thursday 24 June 2027 for infantil, primary, ESO, FP and the first year of Bachillerato. Second-year Bachillerato students finish on 24 May 2027.

What is Semana Blanca?

A school break in late February used in Andalucía, linked to Día de Andalucía on 28 February. In 2026/27 it runs from 22 to 26 February, followed by the bank holiday on Monday 1 March.

When do I apply for a school place in Andalucía?

The ordinary window is 1 to 31 March for the following school year. Families who arrive at another time can apply outside that window, and the education office will offer a school with free places.

Do international schools follow the same calendar?

Not necessarily. Private and international schools set their own term dates, and British schools often start a little earlier and may have a half-term break. Check each school’s own calendar.

Disclaimer: This article is general information only. School calendars, local holidays and admission dates are set each year by the education authorities and can change – always check the official calendar, your town hall and your child’s school before you make plans.

Updated: October 2026

A good language school can take you from “una cerveza, por favor” to real conversations in a few months. With hundreds of schools across Spain, though, quality and prices vary a lot. This guide is for new residents and longer-stay visitors who want to choose well. It covers course types, how to check accreditation, the questions worth asking and what each city offers.

Types of Spanish courses

• Intensive courses: usually 20 or more lessons a week in small groups. They are the fastest route if you have just arrived and can study in the mornings.
• Standard or part-time courses: a few hours a week, often in the evening, for people who work.
• One-to-one lessons: flexible and focused – useful for business Spanish, medical vocabulary or exam preparation.
• DELE and SIELE preparation: courses aimed at the official exams. Many schools are also official DELE exam centres.
• Specialist courses: Spanish for teachers, for over-50s, for healthcare staff, or combined with cooking, flamenco or surfing.
• Junior and summer courses: for teenagers, often with activities and host-family accommodation.

If budget matters more than speed, compare these with the public Escuelas Oficiales de Idiomas and town hall classes in our guide to learning the Spanish language.

Accreditation: how to spot a serious school

Anyone can open a language academy in Spain, so look for independent quality checks.

Instituto Cervantes accreditation

The Instituto Cervantes – the Spanish state body for the Spanish language – runs the only international accreditation system for schools that teach Spanish as a foreign language, known as SACIC. Accredited schools have passed a review of their teaching, staff, facilities and information to students, and may show the official “Centro acreditado” logo. The Cervantes accreditation website lists all accredited centres in Spain, so you can check a school’s claim in a minute.

School associations

• FEDELE: the Spanish federation of language schools, made up of regional associations with around a hundred member schools in more than 25 cities.
• EEA (Andalucía): the association of Spanish schools for foreigners in Andalucía, with members in Málaga, Granada, Seville and Cádiz. All members hold Instituto Cervantes accreditation.

Questions to ask before you book

1. Group size: what is the maximum number of students per class? Fewer than ten is a good sign.
2. Level test: do they test you before placing you, and can you change group if the level is wrong?
3. Teachers: are they qualified to teach Spanish as a foreign language (ELE), and do they stay long term?
4. Lesson length: is a “lesson” 45, 50 or 60 minutes? Compare total hours, not just lessons per week.
5. Extra costs: enrolment fee, books, exam fees, accommodation and activities.
6. Cancellation and refunds: what happens if you need to stop early?
7. Visa letters: if you need a student visa, can the school issue the official enrolment documents the consulate asks for?

Non-EU citizens who plan a course longer than 90 days usually need a student visa, and the course must meet the consulate’s rules on full-time study. Read more in our guide to visas and work permits in Spain.

Where to study: popular cities

City	Why people choose it	Keep in mind
Málaga	Large choice of schools, beach, international community, airport	Easy to slip into English with other expats
Granada	Student city, lower costs, history	Strong Andalusian accent; cold winters
Seville	Classic Andalusian culture, many schools	Very hot in summer
Salamanca	Famous university town, clear Castilian Spanish	Smaller city, cold winters
Madrid	Huge choice, culture, job opportunities	Higher rents
Valencia	Beach city with a good balance of size and cost	Valencian is co-official, Spanish dominates daily life
Barcelona	International, lively, many schools	Catalan is widely spoken; high rents

Working remotely while you study? Our guide to Málaga for digital nomads covers coworking spaces and neighbourhoods.

Getting the most out of your course

• Live with Spanish speakers: a host family or a shared flat with locals doubles your practice time.
• Use the school’s social programme: tapas evenings and excursions are low-pressure speaking practice.
• Set an exam goal: booking a DELE exam keeps you focused.
• Continue after the course: a weekly class or tutor stops you losing what you gained. If you later aim for a degree, see universities in Spain.

Useful links

• Instituto Cervantes – accreditation system for centres (SACIC)
• FEDELE – what the DELE exam is
• Andalucía tourism – association of Spanish schools in Andalucía
• Learning the Spanish language
• Visas and work permits in Spain

FAQ: language schools

How do I know if a Spanish school is accredited?

Check the list of accredited centres on the Instituto Cervantes accreditation website. A logo on the school’s own site is not enough on its own.

How many hours a week should I study?

For fast progress, an intensive course of around four hours a day works well. For steady progress alongside work, two or three sessions a week plus daily practice is realistic.

Can I take the DELE exam at my language school?

Often yes. Many private schools are official DELE exam centres; ask the school or check the Instituto Cervantes list of exam centres.

Which city has the “best” Spanish?

There is no single best accent. Salamanca and Madrid are known for clear Castilian pronunciation, but you will understand Spanish across the country if you practise with real speakers.

Disclaimer: This article is general information only. Course prices, accreditation status and visa rules can change – always check directly with the school, the Instituto Cervantes and the Spanish consulate before you book.