Costs by school type

It is for anyone considering, planning or carrying out a move to Spain with school-age children. You will see the true yearly bill for each school type and stage, and the contract points that decide what you pay.

Start with "How costs change from infant school to upper secondary (Bachillerato)". It gives the full picture across stages, and the other pages then cover each school type and each money event in detail. Nursery fees, university fees and choosing a school on non-cost grounds are not covered here.

Key rules

• Reservation fee: The reservation fee is usually deducted from the first fees and is commonly non-refundable if you do not take the place, so read the withdrawal clause before paying.
• Concertada contributions: A concertada cannot make admission or re-enrolment depend on a voluntary contribution, or treat your child differently if you do not pay it.
• Public tuition: Public schools charge no tuition, enrolment or curriculum-activity fees, and payments cannot be a condition of admission.
• Tuition: Teaching is free, and no payment can be a condition of getting a place.
• Voluntary payments: AMPA membership and donations are voluntary, and the school cannot require them.
• Free teaching: In funded stages, a concertada cannot charge for teaching or for activities that are part of the curriculum.

Costs by school type: the whole process, step by step

• Check what your school type may charge: public, concertada or private: Before you choose a school

• Apply for comedor aid (becas or ayudas de comedor) from your region, if your income may qualify: Usually in spring or at enrolment, with deadlines set each year by your region

• Read the private fee schedule: reserva, matrícula, monthly fee and extras: Before you pay anything to reserve a place

• Read the withdrawal clause before paying the reservation fee: Before you pay the reserva de plaza

• Check how many instalments the school bills, 10, 11 or 12: Before you sign the enrolment contract

• Expect a fee update for the next school year: Usually announced at enrolment or renewal time, once a year

• Give written notice to leave the school (baja): Usually about a month before the end of the month or term; late notice means the next month's fee is usually billed

Costs by school type: questions that cross several articles

Can a school ask for voluntary payments as a condition of admission?

No, a public school or a concertada cannot make admission depend on a voluntary payment in funded stages. Donations and AMPA membership (the parents' association) stay optional. Read "What a free public school (colegio público) still costs you" and "What subsidised private schools (concertadas) really charge" for what can be charged.

Is help with comedor costs available at every type of school?

Comedor aid is run by each region and mainly goes to families with lower income per person, for public schools in particular. Some groups, such as those receiving minimum income, often qualify automatically. Start with "What a free public school (colegio público) still costs you", then ask your regional education department about deadlines.

Do I get the reservation fee back if my child does not take the place?

Usually not, because the reservation fee is commonly non-refundable if you do not take the place. A refund is more likely if the school cannot provide the place or the contract allows withdrawal by a deadline. See "Leaving a school: notice periods, deposits and refunds" and "How private school fees work, from enrolment (matrícula) to monthly bills".

Is Bachillerato free in a public school?

Public Bachillerato has no tuition fee, but you still pay for textbooks, material and sometimes insurance or activities. University entrance exam fees are charged separately and set by each region. Read "What upper secondary (Bachillerato) and vocational training (FP) cost" and "How costs change from infant school to upper secondary (Bachillerato)".