What international schools in Spain cost, including one-off charges

Key rules

• Application fee: The application fee is non-refundable.
• Deposit: A deposit is typically refundable when your child leaves, subject to notice and conditions.
• Exam fees: Exam fees are billed separately from tuition, in the exam year.
• Amounts: Charges differ widely between schools, so get a written list of all fees before you apply.

Fee levels and refund terms vary by school and change each year, so confirm current amounts and conditions in writing with each school.

The tuition is only part of the cost

International schools are among the dearest schooling options in Spain. Budget for the yearly tuition, then add one-off charges at entry and exam fees in the later years. Ask every school for a full written list of charges before you apply.

What tuition looks like

Fees rise with the child's age. The highest are in the IB years and sixth form. Madrid and Barcelona are generally the most expensive. Valencia, Málaga and the Costa del Sol, Alicante and the Balearic Islands are somewhat lower for comparable schools. Top-tier British, American and IB schools charge much more than smaller local international schools.

One-off charges when you join

Many schools charge some or all of these:

• Application or registration fee. You pay it when you apply. It is non-refundable.
• Enrolment or admission fee. You pay it when your child is accepted. It is usually non-refundable.
• Capital levy, debenture or deposit. Only some schools ask for this. A deposit is typically refundable when your child leaves, subject to notice and conditions. Read those conditions before you pay.

Amounts differ widely between schools, so compare the total first-year cost, not just tuition.

Waiting lists

Some popular schools keep waiting lists. A few charge a fee to join one. Ask whether the fee is refundable, and whether it counts toward the enrolment fee if you get a place.

Exam and certification fees

Exam fees are normally billed separately from tuition. They fall in the exam year.

• IB: a candidate registration fee plus a fee per subject. The International Baccalaureate sets these, and the school passes them on with its administration costs.
• IGCSE and A-levels: a fee per subject, charged by the exam board (Cambridge, Edexcel or AQA) through the school. A-levels usually cost more than IGCSEs.

These fees are usually set in pounds or dollars and converted to euros, so the final amount can change between budgeting and billing.

How to budget

1. Get the current fee schedule from each school you are considering.
2. Add up the first-year total: application, enrolment, any deposit or levy, and tuition.
3. Add exam fees for the years your child will sit exams.
4. Check what is refundable and under what notice.

The FAQ below answers common questions on refunds, exam billing, waiting lists and the dearest cities.

Frequently asked questions

Which international school entry charges can you get back?

A deposit is typically refundable when you leave, subject to notice and conditions. The application fee is non-refundable, and the enrolment fee usually is too. Ask the school which charges it holds and on what terms before you pay.

When are IB, IGCSE and A-level exam fees billed?

Exam fees are billed in the exam year, separately from tuition. IB schools charge a candidate registration fee plus a fee per subject. IGCSE and A-level fees are charged per subject through the school, with A-levels usually costing more. They are often set in pounds or dollars and converted to euros.

Do international schools charge to join a waiting list?

Only in a few cases, since most popular schools simply keep a waiting list. Ask when you apply whether a waitlist fee applies. Also ask whether the school wants a capital levy or deposit once a place is offered.