PropertinspainBuying in Spain from abroad

Note

Schools in Spain for expat children

By Daniel WhitcombeReviewed by Marta Calderón IbáñezPublished Updated Stage 3: Choose where and what

Quick answer

School admission in publicly funded schools is organised by the regions, with criteria that usually include distance, siblings and family circumstances. We could not read any regional rules, so ask the regional education department for the calendar and the points system before you choose a home.

Applies toFamilies with children who are choosing where to buy.

On this page: 10 sections
  1. A regional system
  2. Ask these questions
  3. Language
  4. The address
  5. Public, subsidised and private
  6. Visit
  7. Timing
  8. Other checks
  9. What we could not verify
  10. More on this topic
Checked 26 October 2026by Marta Calderón Ibáñez. Claims on this page are tied to the sources listed at the end.

§ 1A regional system

Education in Spain is organised by the regions within a national framework. For publicly funded schools, which include public and state-subsidised private ones, the admission rules are set by each region and applied each year. The education ministry publishes an overview of the legislation by region, which we could not open, so we cannot summarise the criteria. This page belongs to the chapter on daily life in detail, and it is a checklist for a family.

§ 2Ask these questions

Ask the education department of the region and the school itself. Which areas does the school serve? When is the application period? What criteria apply, such as distance from the home, siblings in the school, family income or special circumstances? What proof of address is accepted? How are pupils with little Spanish supported? Is there a place for the age of your child? Write down the answers with the date.

§ 3Language

In some regions, schools teach in Spanish and a regional language, and in others mainly in Spanish. A child who joins at an older age may need extra support. Ask what the school offers and what the language of instruction is. The answer differs from region to region and often school to school.

§ 4The address

Because proximity is a common criterion, the address on your registration with the town hall can matter. Ask how the region proves residence, and whether a purchase contract is enough. Do not rely on a purchase date for an application period. The residency section explains registration.

§ 5Public, subsidised and private

Public schools are run by the region. State-subsidised private schools receive funds under agreements and follow the admission rules. Private schools, including international ones, set their own rules and fees. We did not find an official list of fees or qualifications. Check the recognition of qualifications if your child may return to another country.

§ 6Visit

Visit the school, meet the head and ask parents. Look at the route, the transport and the distance, which matter on a daily basis. In rural areas, check whether a bus exists.

§ 7Timing

Application periods are fixed by the region and often fall in spring for the following school year. Moving at other times means asking about vacancies. Plan the purchase around this if schooling matters.

§ 8Other checks

How neighbours and the community works explains how to learn about the neighbourhood. The legal section on residency explains the registration that many steps use.

§ 9What we could not verify

We could not read regional admission rules or any official list of schools, so we state no criteria as fact.

§ 10More on this topic

Cost of living for retirees explained explains how to build a realistic monthly budget for retirement in Spain and healthcare explained explains the main routes to public healthcare for foreign residents in Spain.

How living near an airport works explains how to check airport noise before buying.

FAQRelated questions

Who decides which school my child attends?

In publicly funded schools, admission follows rules set by the region and applied to each school area, with an application period each year. Ask the regional education department how it works in your area.

Does the address matter?

Often. Closeness to the school tends to count in allocation, so the address registered at the town hall can influence your application. Ask the regional department what evidence it accepts.

Are there international schools?

Private and international schools exist in some areas and set their own admissions and fees. We found no official list, so ask the regional education department and visit the schools you consider.

Sources

About this page

Written by

Daniel Whitcombe

Writer, buying and living in Spain

Daniel writes the chapters on how a purchase runs, who can buy, where to buy and how to check a location. He writes for readers who are new to the Spanish system and prefers plain explanations that name the official source. He is not a lawyer or adviser.

Reviewed by Marta Calderón Ibáñez, chief editor and source editor, 26 October 2026. Checked: Figures and rules checked against the official texts listed below

Found an error? Report it. Each report gets a dated reply, and confirmed corrections are logged on the updates page.

General information only. This is not legal, tax or financial advice. Check your own situation with a qualified adviser.