Education system in Spain

Moving to another country always brings dozens of questions, and if you have children, one of the most important concerns is education. How does the education system in Spain work? When do children start school? What types of educational institutions are there, and how do they differ?

This is perfectly understandable. A new country always brings uncertainty, especially when it comes to your children's future. The good news is that the education system in Spain is quite straightforward and logically organised. Education is compulsory for children from 6 to 16 years of age, while their introduction to the education system begins much earlier, during the preschool years.

This article provides a detailed overview of every stage of education in Spain, from preschool to higher education, as well as the characteristics of different types of schools, the grading system, and other important details that will help you better understand how education is organised in the country.

Preschool Education in Spain

Although compulsory education does not begin until the age of 6, children are usually introduced to the education system much earlier. Preschool education helps children gradually adapt to a new environment, develop social skills, and prepare for starting primary school.

From 0 to 3 years — guardería infantil

The first stage of preschool education is intended for children from birth to the age of 3. Attendance at a guardería infantil is not compulsory, so each family decides for themselves when their child is ready to attend nursery for the first time. Some parents enrol their children as early as 4–6 months if they need to return to work, while others prefer to spend the first few years at home.

At this age, the main focus is not on academic learning but on the child's overall development. Through play, interaction with other children, and creative activities, children gradually learn to communicate with others, become more independent, and adapt more easily to future education.

The cost of attendance depends on the autonomous community, the municipality, whether the nursery is publicly or privately run, and the family's income level. In public nurseries, parents often pay only for meals or additional services, and in some cases, a place may be provided free of charge. Private guarderías generally cost between €300 and €800 per month, although prices may be higher in Madrid, Barcelona, and other major cities.

From 3 to 6 years — escuela infantil

The second stage of preschool education is intended for children aged 3 to 6. Although attendance is also not compulsory, this is the age at which most Spanish children begin attending an escuela infantil on a regular basis and gradually become accustomed to school life.

The main objective of this stage is the child's overall development. Through play, creative activities, and interaction with classmates, children learn to work as part of a group, develop speech, logical thinking, fine motor skills, and independence. Particular attention is given to socialisation and preparation for the transition to primary school.

For families, this stage is especially important because children become familiar with a daily routine, rules of behaviour within a group, and their first experience of learning alongside other children. As a result, the transition to primary school is usually much smoother.

Education for children aged 3 to 6 in public educational institutions is free of charge. In many cases, these preschool classes are located within ordinary schools, allowing children to continue their education at the same institution after completing the preschool stage.

School Education in Spain

Compulsory school education in Spain begins for all children at the age of 6. From this point onwards, a child officially becomes a pupil, and education follows the same national curriculum regardless of whether they attend a state, state-funded, or private school. School education consists of several consecutive stages, each corresponding to a particular age group.

From 6 to 12 years — Primary School (colegio)

Primary education (educación primaria) is the first compulsory stage of schooling in Spain and lasts from the ages of 6 to 12. During this period, children acquire fundamental knowledge in the main subjects, learn to work independently, complete homework, and gradually adapt to the school routine. Great importance is placed not only on academic achievement but also on developing communication skills, independence, and the ability to work as part of a team.

Most children attend a primary school (colegio) close to where they live. They spend the first six years of compulsory education there before moving on to secondary school.

From 12 to 16 years — Secondary School (instituto)

After completing primary school, pupils move on to an instituto. This word often causes confusion among foreigners because in Spain it does not mean an institute or a university, but rather a secondary school.

At this stage, children study from the ages of 12 to 16 as part of compulsory secondary education, known as Educación Secundaria Obligatoria (ESO). During these years, pupils continue studying the core subjects, gradually gain greater independence, and begin considering their future educational pathway.

Upon successfully completing ESO, compulsory school education in Spain is considered complete.

From 16 to 18 years — Bachillerato or Formación Profesional

After completing ESO, pupils face their first major educational decision. Although this stage is no longer compulsory, most teenagers continue their education, as it provides a pathway either to university or to a professional career.

There are two main options for further education:

• Bachillerato — a two-year upper secondary programme designed to prepare students for university admission. It is usually chosen by those who intend to continue their studies and obtain a higher education degree.

• Formación Profesional (FP) — vocational education that combines theoretical learning with practical training in a chosen profession. This pathway is suitable for those who wish to qualify for an in-demand career more quickly, although FP graduates can also continue their education if they wish.

Higher and Vocational Education in Spain

After completing the previous stage of education, the next step largely depends on the choice made after finishing ESO. Graduates of Bachillerato usually continue their studies at university, while many graduates of Formación Profesional choose higher-level vocational training programmes (Grado Superior). Both pathways provide valuable qualifications and, if desired, opportunities for further education.

The main options for further education are:

• Universidad — university education chosen by future professionals in fields such as medicine, engineering, law, economics, education, the humanities, and many others. Most bachelor's degree programmes last 4 years, although some specialisations require a longer period of study.

• Formación Profesional de Grado Superior — higher-level vocational training focused on providing practical knowledge and preparing students for a specific profession. These programmes are closely aligned with labour market needs and include compulsory workplace training. After completing Grado Superior, graduates may either begin working in their chosen profession or continue their studies at university.

Types of Schools in Spain: Public, Semi-Private and Private

In addition to the different stages of education, there are several types of schools in Spain. They differ in terms of funding, tuition fees, the organisation of the educational process, and the additional opportunities they offer. For this reason, when choosing a school, parents usually consider not only its location but also the type of school it is.

Public Schools

Most children in Spain attend public schools (colegios públicos). These schools are fully funded by the government and are the most common choice for both Spanish families and many international residents.

Education at public schools is free of charge, while the curriculum, teacher qualification requirements, and core educational standards are established by the Ministry of Education and the regional educational authorities.

However, parents are usually responsible for certain additional expenses, such as school supplies, educational trips, school lunchs, or after-school care (comedor) if their child uses these services.

The main advantages of public schools are free education, high teaching standards, and the opportunity for children to integrate more quickly into life in Spain, as most pupils are local children. However, in large cities, popular schools may be in high demand, so it is not always possible to secure a place at the nearest school.

Semi-Private Schools

Semi-private schools (colegios concertados) occupy a middle ground between public and private schools. They receive partial government funding, so tuition remains free of charge. However, parents are usually expected to pay for additional services, extracurricular activities, school lunchs, uniforms, or voluntary contributions.

In many cases, these schools are run by private non-profit organisations, religious foundations, or community associations that follow the national education curriculum.

The level of expenses depends on the region, the individual school, and the range of additional services provided. On average, families spend around €800–1,500 per year, although some prestigious colegios concertados may charge more.

Thanks to the combination of government funding and greater flexibility, many parents consider colegios concertados to be an excellent compromise between public and fully private schools.

Private Schools

Private schools (colegios privados) are fully funded by parents and do not receive government funding. They develop their own educational programmes within the framework of national legislation and generally offer a wider range of additional services.

The cost of tuition depends on the region, the school's reputation, and the programme chosen. On average, tuition fees range from €6,000 to €12,000 per year, although well-known international schools may charge considerably more.

Private schools are often chosen by families looking for:

• small class sizes and an individual approach to each pupil;

• modern facilities and additional educational programmes;

• education in English or according to international educational standards;

• a wide range of sports, creative, and extracurricular activities.

International schools form a separate category. They are most often private schools, but are distinguished primarily by their educational curriculum and the language of instruction.

International Schools in Spain

International schools (colegios internacionales) form a separate category. Most of them are private schools, but their main distinguishing feature is not their funding model but their educational curriculum and language of instruction. These schools are particularly popular among families relocating to Spain from other countries.

Depending on the school, children may study:

• according to their home country's national curriculum (for example, the British, American, French, or German curriculum);

• according to international educational programmes such as the International Baccalaureate (IB), which is recognised by universities in many countries around the world.

Lessons are most commonly taught in English or in several languages, making it easier for children to continue their education in another country if necessary.

Although most pupils at these schools come from international families, many Spanish families also deliberately choose this type of education. International educational programmes and qualifications, such as the International Baccalaureate (IB), make it much easier to apply to universities abroad and provide greater opportunities for higher education outside Spain.

Today, international schools operate in virtually every major city in Spain, allowing families to choose a school that best matches their preferred curriculum, language of instruction, and budget.

The Grading System in Spain

Spanish schools use a 10-point grading scale. However, following the LOMLOE education reform, academic results are increasingly accompanied by descriptive grades, helping to provide a clearer assessment of a pupil's level of achievement.

In practice, the grading system is as follows:

• 1–4 — Insuficiente (IN) — Fail.

• 5 — Suficiente (SU) — Pass.

• 6 — Bien (BI) — Good.

• 7–8 — Notable (NT) — Very Good.

• 9–10 — Sobresaliente (SB) — Excellent.

At the same time, the Spanish education system focuses not only on final grades but also on a pupil's overall progress. As a result, receiving several failing grades does not necessarily mean that a child will have to repeat the school year. Each case is considered individually, taking into account performance across all subjects, the recommendations of the teaching staff, and the pupil's overall readiness to progress to the next stage of education.

💡 Good to know. High marks in Spanish schools are awarded quite sparingly. For example, a grade of 5 is already considered a passing result, while 9–10 is usually awarded only to pupils who have demonstrated truly outstanding knowledge of the subject.

School Textbooks in Spain (libros escolares)

School textbook sets in Spain can be quite expensive, which is why many autonomous communities offer support programmes that help families reduce these costs either partially or in full.

Depending on the region and the type of school, parents may benefit from:

• financial assistance programmes for purchasing textbooks;

• free textbook loan schemes, with books returned at the end of the academic year;

• municipal or school-based textbook exchange programmes between pupils.

It is important to remember that each autonomous community in Spain approves its own curriculum and list of approved textbooks. As a result, even when moving from one region of the country to another, children often need a completely new set of books.

💡 Good to know. If a child joins a Spanish school in the middle of the academic year, the free textbook sets may already have been allocated to other pupils. In this case, families often have to purchase the required books themselves.

Key Features of the Education System in Spain

Although the education system in Spain is relatively straightforward, there are several important features that are worth knowing in advance. Many parents encounter them only after moving to Spain, even though these are often the aspects that raise the most questions.

The Academic Year in Spain

The academic year in most schools begins during the first half of September and ends in June. The exact dates are set each year by the authorities of each autonomous community, so they may vary slightly depending on the region.

During the academic year, pupils have Christmas holidays, spring holidays during Semana Santa (Holy Week), as well as national and regional public holidays, the dates of which vary between autonomous communities. Spain also has another interesting tradition known as puentes ("bridges"). If a public holiday falls on a Thursday or a Tuesday, for example, the neighbouring working day is often also declared a holiday. As a result, pupils regularly enjoy short 3–4 day breaks throughout the academic year, which often comes as a pleasant surprise to families relocating to Spain.

How Children Are Assigned to School Years

When enrolling in a school in Spain, placement is based not on a child's age at the start of the academic year, but on their year of birth. This means that children born in January and December of the same year will be placed in the same school year, despite being almost twelve months apart in age.

For this reason, many families moving to Spain are surprised to discover that children are assigned to a school year according to their year of birth rather than the number of full years they have reached.

How to Enrol Your Child in a Public School

The enrolment procedure for public schools may vary slightly depending on the autonomous community. Applications for the following academic year usually begin towards the end of the current school year, although the exact dates are set annually by the regional education authorities.

When allocating school places, the most important criterion is the family's place of residence. For this reason, families moving to Spain are usually advised to contact the public school assigned to their residential area or the relevant municipal education department. If there are several schools within the catchment area, parents can usually list them in order of preference. Where places are available, every effort is made to allocate the child to one of the preferred schools.

The allocation process may also take into account whether the child has brothers or sisters already attending the chosen school, special family circumstances, and other criteria established by the autonomous community.

If a family moves to Spain after the academic year has already begun, the child is still entitled to attend school. In such cases, the education authorities will assign the child to a school where places are available.

What Language Is Used for Teaching?

In most regions of Spain, education is provided in Spanish (castellano). However, in autonomous communities where there is a second official language alongside Spanish, some or even most subjects may be taught in that language.

For example, in Catalonia the main language of instruction is Catalan (català), in the Valencian Community it is Valencian (valencià), in Galicia it is Galician (galego), and in the Basque Country it is Basque (euskara). At the same time, Spanish (castellano) is also a compulsory subject in all schools across the country.

School Lunchs and After-School Care

Many Spanish schools provide school meal services (comedor escolar) and after-school care programmes. These services are usually charged separately, although some families may qualify for financial assistance or subsidies depending on the region and their household income.

📌 What Else Should You Know Before Moving to Spain with Children?

Choosing a school is just one of the many tasks families face when moving to Spain. It is equally important to understand the necessary paperwork, register your place of residence, and estimate your future living costs in advance. The following guides will help you prepare for your move and answer many of the most common questions.

• Moving to Spain: Pros and Cons
• Digital Nomad Visa in Spain
• How to Obtain an NIE in Spain
• Empadronamiento in Spain: How to Register Your Address
• Property Prices in Spain
• Cost of Living in Spain: Transport and Food