Spain (ES)

Spain is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy of 17 autonomous communities stretching from the sun-scorched Andalusian coast to the Pyrenean peaks, renowned for its passionate flamenco and football culture, world-famous gastronomy from tapas to Michelin-starred restaurants, 300+ days of sunshine on the Costa del Sol and the Balearic Islands, and a relaxed Mediterranean pace of life that consistently ranks it among Europe's most desirable destinations for expats.

Capital: Madrid

Region: Europe

Language: Spanish

Currency: EUR (€)

Cost of living: Affordable (index 55)

Emergency: 112

Education & Schools

Schools, universities, and language courses in Spain.

👶 Childcare & Kindergarten

Escuela Infantil (0–3 años, Primer Ciclo) €0–400/month (highly regional). Madrid and Galicia offer free or heavily subsidised places for 0–3.

Age: 0–3 years

Subsidy available

Since 2022 several Comunidades Autónomas offer free places for the 0–3 cycle in public escuelas infantiles (Madrid: free from 2022/23 school year; Catalonia: free 2–3 cycle from 2022/23; Andalucía: income-based subsidies). Private centres cost €250–700/month.

Apply via the Comunidad Autónoma education portal (e.g. Madrid: escuelainfantil.comunidad.madrid; Catalonia: preinscripcio.gencat.cat). Bring DNI/NIE, empadronamiento, Libro de Familia, income tax declaration (Renta), and proof of employment.

⏱️ Application window is typically March–April for the September start. Public places are allocated by a points system: work situation, income, siblings enrolled, proximity. Apply to multiple centres.

Educación Infantil (3–6 años, Segundo Ciclo) FREE in public and most concertado schools. Private: €300–1,000/month.

Age: 3–6 years

Subsidy available

The Segundo Ciclo (age 3–6) is fully funded by the state in public schools and in concertado schools with a state funding agreement. Parents pay for the comedor (lunch) — €4–8/day — and optional extracurriculars.

Same centralised portal as primary schools in each Comunidad Autónoma. For Madrid: Admisión educacenlaweb.educa.madrid.org. For Catalonia: preinscripcio.gencat.cat.

⏱️ Main admission process typically March–April of the year your child turns 3. Admission priority: catchment area (zona de influencia), siblings, family income, parent workplace proximity.

🏫 Schools

Primary Free

Educación Primaria

Ages: 6–12 years (grades 1–6) · Language: Spanish (Castilian) + co-official language in Catalonia (Catalan), Basque Country (Euskera and/or Spanish in linea modelo), Galicia (Galician), Valencia (Valencian/Spanish), Balearic Islands (Catalan/Spanish). Bilingual English programmes widespread since 2005.

Register via the centralised admisión portal of your Comunidad Autónoma during March–April. Allocation is points-based (catchment, siblings, income, disability). Bring DNI/NIE, empadronamiento, Libro de Familia, previous school reports with sworn translation if from abroad.

Three types of schools: público (public, free), concertado (private with state subsidy, parents pay €60–250/month "contribution"), privado (private, €500–1,500/month). Religious schools are overwhelmingly concertado Catholic.

Secondary Free

Educación Secundaria Obligatoria (ESO) + Bachillerato / FP

Ages: 12–16 years (ESO) + 16–18 (Bachillerato or FP) · Language: Spanish + co-official language of the region

Same process as primary — centralised regional portal. After ESO (completed at 16), students choose Bachillerato (academic, leads to university via EBAU/Selectividad) or Formación Profesional (vocational, 2–4 years, immediate employability).

LOMLOE 2020 is the current framework. After Bachillerato students take EBAU (also called Selectividad or PAU) to access university. Minimum grade for university depends on degree (nota de corte).

International Schools

Major cities have British, American, French, German, Swiss, and IB schools. Costs: €8,000–25,000/year tuition + registration fees. Madrid examples: British Council School (Pozuelo), American School of Madrid (Pozuelo), Colegio Los Robles (IB), Lycée Français de Madrid. Barcelona: British School of Barcelona, American School of Barcelona, Lycée Français de Barcelone. Seville, Bilbao, Málaga, and Valencia also have international school options. Check the Council of British International Schools (COBIS) and NABSS listings for accredited schools.

University

Tuition fee

EU students: €600–2,500/year (public universities, varies by region). Non-EU students: €1,200–6,000/year (public universities) or €8,000–20,000/year (private universities). Masters: €1,500–8,000/year public, €8,000–20,000 private. Madrid and Catalonia are the priciest public regions; Galicia and Andalucía the cheapest.

Semester fee

Tasas administrativas: €50–250/semester, covering enrolment and diploma fees.

Student visa

Non-EU students need a visado de estudios at the Spanish consulate. Requirements: admission letter, proof of €600–900/month financial means, private health insurance, clean criminal record. Permits work up to 30 hours/week during term.

Health insurance

Compulsory for non-EU students on Visado de Estudios. Must have full coverage in Spain with no copayments — €400–900/year private policies (Sanitas, Adeslas, MAPFRE). EU students use EHIC for short stays; for over 6 months, register with the Spanish public system via empadronamiento and NIE.

Application process

Undergraduate: pre-register via Distrito Único de tu Comunidad Autónoma by June. Non-EU applicants: access through UNED-assess (acreditación UNEDasiss). Masters: direct application to each university (January–June). Selectividad/EBAU grade (5–14) determines university allocation.

🗣️ Language Courses

Escuela Oficial de Idiomas (EOI)

Provider: Public, run by each Comunidad Autónoma · Duration: 1 academic year per level (October–June) · Levels: A1–C2 (Spanish for foreigners + other languages)

€150–400 per academic year (full 120–130 hour course)

Excellent value — best Spanish-learning institution for expats willing to commit to a year. Official certificates accepted for citizenship, NIE renewals, university admission. Admission via competition each September.

Instituto Cervantes

Provider: Instituto Cervantes (Spanish equivalent of Goethe-Institut / Alliance Française) · Duration: 4–10 weeks · Levels: A1–C2

€400–1,500 per course

Provides DELE certifications (A2, B1, B2 and up). DELE A2 + CCSE are required for Spanish citizenship by residence. Intensive and extensive options.

Universidad Popular / Ayuntamiento courses

Provider: Municipal (your Ayuntamiento) · Duration: 20–60 hours · Levels: A1–B2

€30–200/course (heavily subsidised)

Run by many city councils. Affordable entry point. Check your Ayuntamiento’s cultural/education department.

Language schools (private)

Provider: Don Quijote, Enforex, AIL Madrid, International House · Duration: 1 week intensive to 12-month long-term · Levels: A1–C2

€200–1,200/week (intensive) or €15–30/hour private tuition

Higher cost but flexible scheduling and fast results. Good for short-term intensive study.

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