No Time to Read It All? Here’s the Quick Summary:<\/b><\/p>\n
The Spanish school system is decentralized, with compulsory education from ages 6 to 16<\/strong>, though most children start free public preschool at age 3. Families can choose between:<\/p>\n Public schools<\/strong>: free, local catchment-based, taught in Spanish or regional languages.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Concertado schools<\/strong>: semi-private with modest fees, often Catholic, usually bilingual.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Private schools<\/strong>: fully fee-paying, flexible curricula, smaller classes, rich extracurriculars.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n International schools<\/strong>: IB, British, American, French, German; highest fees, best for continuity.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Key things to know:<\/p>\n Languages<\/strong>: Spanish everywhere, plus Catalan, Basque, Galician, or Valencian in co-official regions; many schools offer bilingual English-Spanish programs.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Enrollment<\/strong>: public\/concertado schools use a spring application and points system; private\/international schools admit directly, often with tests or interviews.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Costs<\/strong>: public ~\u20ac1,000\/year (books, meals, activities), concertado ~\u20ac3,000, private \u20ac6,000\u201310,000, international \u20ac7,000\u201318,000.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Assessment<\/strong>: 0\u201310 scale, continuous evaluation, certificate at 16 (ESO<\/em>), then Bachillerato + EBAU<\/strong> for university or Vocational Training (FP)<\/strong> for employment or further study.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Tips for expats<\/strong>: Visit schools, apply early (especially to international schools), and prepare documents like the NIE and padr\u00f3n.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n In short, Spain offers a wide range of schooling options for expat families, whether you want full cultural immersion or continuity with an international curriculum.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Relocating to Spain with children involves much more than finding a new home or settling administrative paperwork. One of the most important decisions you\u2019ll face is how and where your children will go to school. Understanding the Spanish education system in advance is key to ensuring a smooth transition, both academically and socially.<\/span><\/p>\n For expat families, the main challenges often revolve around three areas. First, the <\/span>language of instruction<\/b>, which can vary depending on the region and school type. In some areas, classes may be taught partly in Spanish and partly in a co-official regional language such as Catalan or Basque, while other schools offer bilingual programs with English. Second, the <\/span>enrollment process<\/b> can be complex for newcomers, especially in public and semi-public schools where places are allocated through a points system. Finally, the choice between <\/span>local schools and international schools<\/b> requires careful thought, as it impacts not only your child\u2019s language acquisition and integration but also your family\u2019s long-term plans, budget, and potential return to your home country.<\/span><\/p>\n This guide gives you a clear overview of how Spain\u2019s school system works, what options are available, and how to navigate enrollment as an expat. For details about the school holiday calendar in Spain, we invite you to check our dedicated article on <\/span>Spanish School Holidays 2025\u20132026<\/b> (internal link).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> Spain\u2019s school system combines a central structure with a high level of decentralization. The Ministry of Education defines the overall framework, including compulsory stages, subjects, and learning objectives. However, the 17 autonomous communities\u2014such as Catalonia, Andalusia, Madrid, or the Basque Country\u2014can adapt up to 40% of the curriculum. They also decide the <\/span>language of instruction<\/b>, adjust the <\/span>school calendar<\/b>, and implement <\/span>local education policies<\/b>. For expat families, this means the experience can vary significantly depending on where you live.<\/span><\/p>\n Education is mandatory for children between the ages of 6 and 16. This covers two main stages:<\/span><\/p>\n At the end of ESO, students receive the <\/span>Graduado en Educaci\u00f3n Secundaria<\/span><\/i>, which allows them to continue to upper secondary (Bachillerato), vocational training, or enter the workforce.<\/span><\/p>\n Even though compulsory schooling begins at 6, nearly all Spanish children start earlier. Public <\/span>preschool (Educaci\u00f3n Infantil)<\/b> is free and widely accessible from age 3. This stage is divided into two cycles:<\/span><\/p>\n As a result, by the time children reach age 6, most have already completed three years of early education and are well adapted to the school environment.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div> The Spanish education system is divided into clearly defined stages, each with its own purpose and qualifications:<\/span><\/p>\n The following table shows how Spanish grades correspond to the UK and US systems. It is especially useful for expat families planning continuity of education or transfers between systems.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Why Expats Should Understand Spain\u2019s School System Before Moving<\/h2>\n
Overview of Spain\u2019s Education System<\/h2>\n
A National Framework with Regional Autonomy<\/h3>\n
Compulsory Education from 6 to 16 Years<\/h3>\n
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Preschool: A Common Starting Point at Age 3<\/h3>\n
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![\"Children](\"https:\/\/spaineasy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/spanish-primary-school-classroom.webp\" "\\"spanish-primary-school-classroom\\"")
<\/span><\/div>Education Levels and Age Equivalences<\/h2>\n
Main Stages of Education in Spain<\/h3>\n
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Diplomas and Key Milestones<\/h3>\n
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Age and Grade Equivalences: Spain, UK, and US<\/h3>\n
![\"Exterior](\"https:\/\/spaineasy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/spanish-secondary-school-building.webp\" "\\"spanish-secondary-school-building\\"")
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