Chile (CL)

South America's most stable and developed economy, Chile stretches 4,300 km from the Atacama Desert to Patagonia.

Capital: Santiago

Region: Americas

Language: Spanish

Currency: CLP ($)

Cost of living: Affordable (index 45)

Emergency: 133

Education & Schools

Schools, universities, and language courses in Chile.

👶 Childcare & Kindergarten

Sala cuna (nursery/crèche, 0–2 years) Free for lowest-income 60% via JUNJI (Junta Nacional de Jardines Infantiles) or Integra network. Private sala cuna: CLP $80,000–180,000/month.

Age: 0–2 years

Subsidy available

Employers with 20+ female workers are legally required to provide sala cuna access or a monthly stipend (sala cuna allowance) to cover costs — regardless of gender (ruling since 2023). JUNJI and Fundación Integra provide free state sala cuna for the poorest 60% (RSH-determined). Chile Crece Contigo programme prioritises placement for FONASA Groups A and B mothers.

For JUNJI/Integra: apply online at accedoschile.cl or at your municipality. For private sala cuna: visit directly with child's birth certificate and parent's cédulas. Salary proof may be needed to determine subsidy eligibility.

⏱️ Register at your municipality and JUNJI (junji.gob.cl) as early as possible — waitlists are long in Santiago. The sala cuna allowance (arancel de sala cuna) from your employer can be used at any accredited private sala cuna.

Jardín infantil (preschool, 2–6 years) Free at JUNJI/Integra network jardines. Particular subvencionado (subsidised private): free or nominal CLP $5,000–20,000/month. Private jardín particular pagado: CLP $80,000–200,000/month.

Age: 2–6 years

Subsidy available

JUNJI and Integra operate free kindergartens for all income levels but prioritise vulnerable families. Subsidised private jardines receive state funding and cannot charge more than a low monthly fee. Universal preschool access exists from age 4 (Prekínder and Kínder are compulsory in Chile from age 5).

For municipal/JUNJI: apply at accedoschile.cl or municipality DAEM. Private jardines: direct application at the institution. Documents: birth certificate, vaccination record (carnet de vacunas), parent cédulas.

⏱️ Kínder (age 5–6) is legally compulsory and available for free in all municipalities. Register your child at the municipality's DAEM (Departamento de Administración de Educación Municipal) for Prekínder and Kínder placement.

Pre-kínder and kínder (ages 5–6, compulsory) Free in municipal schools. Nominal or free in subsidised private schools. Private schools: included in monthly tuition.

Age: 5–6 years

Subsidy available

Pre-kínder (age 5) and kínder (age 6) are compulsory in Chile. All municipal (state) schools offer free places. Subsidised private schools (colegios particulares subvencionados) receive per-student state funding and must offer kínder at no additional cost beyond the school's monthly fee.

Register via the Sistema de Admisión Escolar (sae.mineduc.cl) for subsidised schools (municipal and particular subvencionado). Applications open in June–July each year for the following March school year. Private particular pagado schools have independent admissions.

⏱️ Apply early — popular municipal schools in good communes fill quickly. The Sistema de Admisión Escolar (SAE) manages applications for most subsidised schools.

🏫 Schools

Educación básica (primary school) Free

Enseñanza Básica

Ages: 6–14 years (8 grades: 1st–8th básico) · Language: Spanish (with growing English instruction from 1st grade in subsidised schools)

Apply via the Sistema de Admisión Escolar (SAE, sae.mineduc.cl) for all municipal and subsidised private schools. Applications open June–July for following March enrolment. Documents: birth certificate, parent ID, vaccination record. School transfer students (foreign): bring official school transcripts with grade equivalencies. Foreign credentials are assessed by the school director or MINEDUC for grade placement.

Three school types: (1) Municipal (municipales) — fully state-funded, free, no tuition. (2) Particular subvencionado — privately operated but state-subsidised, low or no monthly fee, some charge a voluntary copago. (3) Particular pagado — fully private, no state subsidy, fees CLP $150,000–600,000+/month. School year: March–December (Southern Hemisphere — opposite of Northern Hemisphere). School days: Monday–Friday, typically 8am–3:30pm or 4pm. School dress code (uniforme escolar) required at almost all Chilean schools — students typically wear grey or navy blue uniforms with the school crest. Foreign students arriving mid-year: contact the municipality DAEM for mid-year placement — grade equivalency is assessed on arrival.

Educación media (secondary school) Free

Enseñanza Media

Ages: 14–18 years (4 grades: 1st–4th medio) · Language: Spanish

Same SAE system for subsidised schools. Private schools have independent processes. Secondary education can be general (científico-humanista, leading to university entrance) or vocational/technical (técnico-profesional, leading to trade qualifications).

Completing 4th Medio leads to the Licencia de Educación Media (secondary school leaving certificate). University entrance: PSU (Prueba de Selección Universitaria) being replaced by PAES (Prueba de Acceso a la Educación Superior) — a set of standardised tests taken in November/December of 4th Medio. PAES scores + secondary school grades determine admission to Chilean universities via the DEMRE system. Foreign secondary school leaving certificates: may be recognised by Chilean universities on a case-by-case basis or require validation at MINEDUC.

International Schools

Santiago has excellent international schools with English, German, French, and bilingual programmes: Nido de Aguilas International School (US curriculum, IB, ~USD $16,000–20,000/year, IB Diploma), The Grange School (British curriculum, ~USD $12,000–16,000/year), Santiago College (bilingual Chilean-US curriculum, ~CLP $600,000–800,000/month), Bradford School (British), Liceo Alemán de Santiago (German curriculum, bilingual), Lycée Charles de Gaulle (French system). For families requiring English-language instruction, Nido de Aguilas and The Grange are the most prestigious international options. Most international schools are in Las Condes, Vitacura, and eastern Santiago communes.

University

Tuition fee

Gratuidad (free university): available for students whose household income is in the bottom 60% (RSH-determined). CRUCH universities: CLP $2,000,000–5,000,000/year for non-gratuidad students. Private universities (UAI, UNAB, UDP, Universidad San Sebastián): CLP $4,000,000–8,000,000/year. Professional institutes (IP): CLP $2,000,000–4,500,000/year.

Semester fee

No standard sector-wide semester administrative fee. Tuition is the main cost. Additional fees: materials, laboratory access, sports facilities — typically CLP $50,000–150,000/year at most universities.

Student visa

Visa de Estudiante — apply at Servicio Nacional de Migraciones (sermig.gob.cl) with your acceptance letter. Standard processing: 30–60 business days. The student visa allows part-time work (up to 20 hours/week if authorized). Part-time student jobs are not common for foreign students unless Spanish is strong.

Health insurance

Enroll in FONASA as a student once you have your RUT and cédula. FONASA provides comprehensive public health coverage for student visa holders. Alternatively, enroll in an ISAPRE (private health insurance) if you prefer faster access. University health centres (Centro de Salud Estudiantil, CAES) provide basic health services on campus, usually free or at minimal cost for enrolled students.

Application process

Chilean university admission via PAES (national standardised test, taken in November of 4th Medio). Apply via DEMRE (demre.cl) in November–December. Results and placements announced in December–January. Foreign students: some universities accept direct applications with foreign transcripts — contact each university's Admisión office. Universidad de Chile (la U), PUC (Pontificia Universidad Católica), UAI, and UNAB are the most popular among foreign students.

🗣️ Language Courses

Spanish courses for foreigners — Universidad de Chile Centro de Idiomas

Provider: Universidad de Chile (uchile.cl) · Duration: Semester-based (14–16 weeks) or intensive (4–8 week modules) · Levels: A1 to C1 (DELE-aligned levels)

CLP $200,000–450,000 per semester group course

Reputable state university courses; mixed classes of international students. Certificate of completion issued. Good for networking with other international students in Santiago.

Spanish language schools (private institutes)

Provider: Universidad Finis Terrae, Instituto Chileno-Norteamericano de Cultura, Berlitz Chile · Duration: Flexible — weekly, monthly, or semestral options · Levels: All levels from complete beginner (A0) to advanced (C2)

CLP $150,000–400,000 per course (group); CLP $25,000–50,000/hour private tuition

Private schools offer more scheduling flexibility and can issue certificates useful for immigration or employment applications. Instituto Chileno-Norteamericano also offers Cambridge English preparation courses.

Online Spanish learning (self-study)

Provider: Duolingo, Pimsleur, Babbel, iTalki (with Chilean tutors) · Duration: Self-paced · Levels: All levels

Free (Duolingo) to USD $15–30/month (Babbel) to USD $10–25/hour (iTalki tutors)

Chilean Spanish is not specifically covered in most apps — standard Latin American Spanish is taught. For chilenismos and local accent: use YouTube (channels like Dreaming of Chile, Español con Juan) and watch Chilean TV series and news.

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