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Moving to Spain with children involves much more than finding a new home. For international families, understanding how the Spanish education system works is an important part of planning a successful relocation.
Spain offers a wide range of educational options, from public and publicly funded schools to private and international schools. However, the structure of the system, the language of instruction and the school admissions process can vary depending on where you live.
If you are considering moving to Spain with children, this guide explains how the Spanish education system works, what the different educational stages are and what international families should know before choosing a school.
The Spanish education system at a glance
The Spanish education system is divided into several educational stages. The main structure is:
Early Childhood Education (Educación Infantil)
0–6
Primary Education (Educación Primaria)
6-12
Yes
Compulsory Secondary Education (ESO)*
12-16
Baccalaureate (Bachillerato)
16-18
No
Vocational Training (Formación Profesional)
Varies
University
Usually 18+
* Education in Spain is compulsory from approximately 6 to 16 years of age. Primary Education normally runs from 6 to 12, followed by four years of Compulsory Secondary Education, or ESO, generally from 12 to 16.
After ESO, students can continue with Bachillerato, usually lasting two years, or choose vocational education and training through Formación Profesional.
Early Childhood Education: ages 0 to 6
Early Childhood Education, or Educación Infantil, covers children from birth until the age of six.
It is divided into two cycles:
- First cycle: 0–3 years
- Second cycle: 3–6 years
The second cycle is widely available within the education system, although families should check availability and admission arrangements in their local area. The Ministry describes Infantil as a stage with its own educational identity rather than simply childcare.
For international families, this stage can be particularly useful for language integration. Children can begin becoming familiar with Spanish and, depending on the autonomous community and school, another official language.
Primary Education: ages 6 to 12
Primary Education is compulsory and free in the public education system. It normally lasts six academic years, from approximately age six to twelve.
Children study a broad range of subjects, including:
- Spanish Language and Literature
- Mathematics
- Foreign Language
- Physical Education
- Arts
- Natural, Social and Cultural Knowledge
- Civic and ethical education at the relevant stage
In autonomous communities with another official language, students may also study that language and its literature.
This is one of the first issues international parents should investigate when choosing where to live in Spain.
For example, the linguistic environment of a school in Marbella can be very different from one in Barcelona, Bilbao or Valencia. The education system is national in its basic structure, but the autonomous communities have important responsibilities for education and can establish their own regulations and curricula within the national framework.
Compulsory Secondary Education: ages 12 to 16
Compulsory Secondary Education, known as ESO, normally covers four academic years from approximately 12 to 16.
ESO is compulsory and free in the public education system. Students study subjects such as Spanish Language and Literature, Mathematics, Geography and History, Physical Education and a foreign language, together with additional subjects and electives depending on the year and the educational administration.
The fourth year has a more orientational role, helping students prepare for either post-compulsory education or entry into working life.
For international families arriving in Spain with teenagers, the transition into ESO requires particular planning. The student’s previous education, age, language skills and the availability of places at suitable schools can all influence the best option.
Bachillerato: ages 16 to 18
Bachillerato is a voluntary post-compulsory secondary education stage, normally completed over two years.
Its purpose is to provide students with a more specialised academic education and prepare them for higher education or, in some cases, entry into professional life.
Students can choose between different pathways depending on their interests and future plans. The curriculum combines common subjects with modality-specific and optional subjects.
For families considering university in Spain or elsewhere in Europe, the choice of school and curriculum during these years can become particularly important.
What languages are taught in Spanish schools?
Language is one of the most important differences international parents need to understand.
Spanish, or Castilian, is the official language throughout Spain. However, several autonomous communities also have another co-official language.
This means that the language environment at school can differ significantly depending on where you live.
In a region with a co-official language, children may receive part of their education in that language in addition to Spanish. The exact model depends on the autonomous community and the school.
Foreign languages are also part of the curriculum. English is particularly widespread, although the number of languages and the intensity of language teaching vary between schools.
For an international family, it is therefore worth checking the actual language of instruction rather than simply asking whether a school “teaches English”.
Can foreign children enter the Spanish education system?
Yes. Children moving to Spain from another country can enter the Spanish education system.
One important point for parents is that children coming from foreign education systems do not generally need to complete a formal recognition or validation procedure simply to enter Primary Education or ESO. According to the Ministry of Education, admission to these stages is normally based on the student’s age and placement in the appropriate year.
The situation becomes more complex when students need recognition of foreign qualifications, particularly for certain stages or when continuing their education based on qualifications obtained abroad.
Spain has formal procedures for the homologación and convalidación of foreign non-university studies and qualifications. These procedures can establish equivalence with Spanish qualifications or allow students to continue their studies within the Spanish system.
For this reason, families moving with older children should review their educational documentation before relocating.
Planning a move to Spain with your family?
Understanding how the Spanish education system works is an important part of planning your relocation. But choosing the right school also means considering where you live, the language your children will study in, the available educational options and how these decisions fit into your wider relocation plans.
At HolaExpat, we help international families navigate the practical side of moving to Spain, from finding the right area and property to understanding local services and coordinating the different steps involved in settling into life in Spain.
If you are planning to move to Spain with children, speak to our team and start planning your relocation with the right information from the beginning.
