Knowing how to enrol your child in school in Spain makes relocating much easier. The process is managed mainly by each autonomous community, so deadlines, application portals and required documents can differ between Madrid, Catalonia, Valencia, Andalusia and other regions. Start by identifying your autonomous community and municipality, then contact the local education office or the schools you are considering.
Understand the Spanish school system
Compulsory education in Spain runs from ages 6 to 16. Children usually attend Educación Primaria from approximately 6 to 12, followed by Educación Secundaria Obligatoria, or ESO, from around 12 to 16. Early childhood education is divided into two stages: ages 0 to 3 and ages 3 to 6. The second stage is not compulsory, but many children attend a public, subsidised or private school.
You can generally choose between a public school, a colegio concertado and a private school. Public schools are free, while concertados receive public funding but may charge for some optional services or activities. Private schools set their own fees and admissions procedures. Ask about lunch, transport, books, uniforms, after-school care and other costs before applying.
Check the admission timetable
For the following academic year, applications for public and concertado schools are normally submitted several months before classes begin in September. The exact period may be in February, March, April or May, depending on the region. Search for the education department of your autonomous community using terms such as admisión alumnos and the name of your town.
After applications are assessed, families receive a school place or a provisional allocation. There is usually a period to correct documents, submit an objection or appeal, followed by a separate matrícula period. A place is not always confirmed until you complete enrolment with the school. Keep copies of the application, confirmation emails and deadlines.
Gather the usual documents
Requirements vary, but schools commonly ask for the following:
- The child’s passport or national identity document.
- The parents’ or legal guardians’ identification documents.
- The child’s birth certificate or family record document.
- Proof of address, often a padrón or certificado de empadronamiento from the town hall.
- Previous school records, reports or certificates showing the child’s year group.
- Health or vaccination information where requested.
- Documents supporting family circumstances, such as a large-family card, disability certificate or single-parent status, if these affect admission points.
Foreign documents may need an official Spanish translation, an apostille or legalisation. Ask the education office whether translation is required before paying for it. If you have recently arrived and do not yet have a padrón, explain this to the municipality or school; the alternatives accepted can differ by area.
Apply to the right school
Public and concertado admissions often use a points system. Factors may include living close to the school, having a sibling already enrolled, family circumstances and sometimes income. List schools in the order requested by the regional application system, not only your first choice, and check whether the application allows several preferences.
Visit schools where possible and ask about the teaching language. In some regions, lessons may use Spanish alongside a co-official language such as Catalan, Valencian, Basque or Galician. Ask what support is available for children who are new to that language. Schools can also explain arrangements for learning difficulties, disabilities, medical needs and integration support.
Moving to Spain during the school year
If your family arrives after the normal application period, contact the local education authority or the municipality’s schooling commission rather than waiting for the next September intake. These offices help assign available places, particularly when nearby schools are full. Take identification, proof of address and previous school records. A child does not normally need to wait until the next academic year to begin compulsory education.
For older children, ask how previous studies will be matched to the Spanish year group. The school or regional authority may review transcripts and determine the appropriate placement. If records are incomplete, explain the child’s age, previous curriculum and learning level clearly.
Complete matrícula and prepare for the first day
Once a place is offered, complete the school’s matrícula paperwork by the stated deadline. Confirm the start date, school timetable, uniform rules, book arrangements, lunch registration and transport options. Public education is free, but families may still need to budget for materials, meals, excursions and optional services.
Keep the school’s telephone number and email address, and ask how parents use its online platform. If you need help in Spanish, request an interpreter or bring someone who can translate important documents. For reliable local contacts, compare education offices, schools and family services in your area, then browse local businesses in the directory.
