The Complete Guide to Schools in Spain:
Public, Concertado, Private & International
Options for Families

Spain’s laws don’t explicitly recognise home schooling as a valid alternative to formal schooling, and this is the core of its legal status. The Spanish Constitution (Article 27) guarantees the right to education and requires that basic education be both compulsory and provided through the formal education system, which authorities interpret as attendance at an authorised school. Because no national law creates a legal framework for home education, it sits in a legal grey area, and families who choose it may face intervention from regional authorities or social services.

For families living in Spain on visas — including non‑EU residency permits — this becomes especially important, as immigration authorities typically request proof of school enrolment both when applying for a visa and again at renewal.

Best for: Families seeking free education and cultural immersion.

Public schools in Spain are fully funded by the government, making them completely free aside from books, food, and optional activities. Education is compulsory from ages 6 to 16, though most children begin free public preschool at age 3. These schools follow Spain’s national curriculum and may teach in Spanish or regional languages such as Catalan, Basque or Galician.

Admissions to Public Schools
Applications go through the regional public system using a points based method that considers location, siblings, income, and more.

• Educación Infantil (second cycle) – Between three and six years old
• Primaria education – Between six and 12 years old
• Educación Secundaria Obligatoria (ESO) – At least 12-years old
• Bachillerato or Formación Profesional education – At least 16-years old 

Key Features of Public Schools

• 100% free tuition.
• Taught in Spanish and regional co official languages depending on location.
• Strong focus on inclusion and equality - ideal for social and cultural integration.
• Local catchment area determines admissions.

Best for: Families seeking better facilities than public schools at an affordable cost.

Concertado schools are privately run but partially government funded, making them more affordable than private schools while offering improved resources and reputation. Tuition is normally free, but parents pay for services such as lunch, materials, and extracurriculars.

Admissions to Concertado Schools
Applications go through the regional public system using a points based method that considers location, siblings, income, and more.

Pros & Cons
Pros:

• Low fees compared to private schools
• Good facilities and academic reputation
• Popular among Spanish middle class families

• Still not entirely free
• Competitive admissions
• Many have a religious affiliation

Best for: Expat families, globally mobile parents, and students aiming for international universities.

International schools are usually private but differ through their international curriculum, multicultural community, and global orientation. They offer IB, British or American pathways and emphasize critical thinking, creativity, and international university preparation.

What Defines an International School?
According to Best Schools in Spain:

• Must teach an internationally recognised curriculum (IB, British, American)
• Competency based learning approach (not rote memorisation)
• Multicultural environment with global outlook
• Strong preparation for universities abroad

Best for: Families seeking specialised curricula, smaller class sizes, and enhanced learning environments.

Private schools are fully fee paying and have total autonomy over curriculum and teaching style. Fees usually range from €6,000 to €10,000, although elite schools can exceed €20,000.

Types of Curricula in Private Schools
Private schools may offer:

• Spanish curriculum (LOMLOE + EBAU)
• British curriculum (IGCSE + A Levels)
• American curriculum (High School + AP)
• International Baccalaureate (IB)

• Smaller class sizes
• More extracurricular activities
• Internationalised teaching style, even in Spanish private schools
• Greater flexibility in teaching

Spain inspects all schools—public, charter, and private—through the Inspección Educativa, which evaluates areas such as compliance, teaching quality, and leadership. However, inspection reports are not made public; they remain internal documents shared only with education authorities and sometimes the schools themselves.  Additionally, the inspection system is decentralised, meaning each autonomous community manages its own inspectorate with its own rules and transparency practices, some schools will publish academic results.

Public Schools

• Spanish Public Educational Centres - Spanish Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Sports

Private and International Schools

The Forbes España 2025 ranking reveals the geographic spread of 100 high-performing schools across the country.

Madrid leads with 43 schools, reflecting its role as Spain’s largest educational hub, followed by Valencia with 14 schools and Barcelona with 12. Other regions, including Andalusia, Catalonia, and the Balearic Islands, also feature prominently. The concentration of top schools in these regions highlights the availability of high-quality education in major urban centres, while the inclusion of schools from smaller cities and towns demonstrates that families throughout Spain have access to educational excellence.

Here are trusted platforms that parents use to find ratings, fees, and detailed school profiles.

Private and International School Review Platforms

• micole - School Search and Rankings
• SMAPSE – Private School Rankings
• World Schools – Best Private Schools in Spain
• International Schools Database – Parent reviews + fees
• World Schools – International Rankings
• SchoolMyKids – International Schools List
  
  

The best school in Spain depends on your priorities:

• Public schools → best for integration & free education
• Concertado schools → best balance of affordability and quality
• Private schools → best for customised learning and strong academic environments
• International schools → best for expat families and global university pathways

Applying for a private or international school is generally easier as the enrolment process and timing are more flexible if the school has places. For Public or Concertado schools it is more challenging because of two key challenges, application timing and proof of address.

When it comes to public and concertado (state subsidised) schools in Spain, timing and proof of address are two of the biggest practical hurdles families face — especially expats who may still be settling into housing. Here’s a clear breakdown of what to expect.

1. Application Timing: What Families Need to Know
Public and concertado schools follow a strict annual admissions calendar, set by each autonomous community. In most regions, the key window is:

• Main application period: usually March–April
• Provisional lists: April
• Final admissions lists: May–June
• Late applications: accepted only if places remain

• You must provide proof of residence (padrón certificate, rental contract, or property deed).
• Your address determines which schools you have priority for.
• Generally speaking without a local address, you cannot complete the application.

• Catchment area priority becomes even more decisive.
• Families outside the zone rarely get a place in oversubscribed concertados.

• Arriving before the March–April window gives you the best chance of securing a preferred school.
• If you arrive later, you may need to accept whatever schools have vacancies.
• Temporary accommodation can complicate things if it’s outside your desired catchment area.
• Some families choose to secure long term housing early specifically to align with school zones.