Paying school bills

It is for anyone considering, planning or carrying out a move to Spain. You will learn how schools bill, how to pay from abroad or without a local account, and what to do if you fall behind or disagree with a charge.

Start with "How to pay school invoices in Spain (direct debit and other methods)". It shows you how to set up payment correctly. Then read the page that fits your situation:

• If you have no Spanish account yet, read "Paying a school deposit before you have a Spanish bank account".
• To use the school's app or website, read "School apps and portals: payments, statements and invoices (facturas)".
• If a bill is overdue, read "What happens if you fall behind on school or lunch (comedor) bills".
• If a charge looks illegal or unclear, read "What to do about school charges that seem illegal or unclear".

Opening a bank account and tax deductions are covered elsewhere.

Key rules

• Debit refund: You can ask your bank to refund an authorised direct debit within 8 weeks of the debit date, and an unauthorised one up to 13 months after it.
• Keeping receipts: Keep school payment receipts for at least 4 years.
• Debit notice: Schools must normally warn you at least 14 days before a direct debit is due, unless your mandate sets a different period.
• Account holder: The person who signs the mandate must be the account holder or an authorised signatory, not necessarily the parent.
• Payment method: Pay by transfer to the school's Spanish IBAN or by card link, and put your child's name in the reference.
• Deadline: Late payment usually means the place goes to the next family on the waiting list, so get the deadline in writing.

Paying school bills: the whole process, step by step

• Ask the school how it bills and whether it accepts your IBAN, then choose a payment method (see: How to pay school invoices in Spain): Before you pay anything

• Pay the reservation or enrolment fee by international transfer or card if you have no Spanish account (see: Paying a school deposit before you have a Spanish bank account): Usually within 5 to 15 days of the place being offered at private schools; publicly funded schools follow the regional enrolment calendar

• Sign the direct-debit mandate with the account holder's details and signature (see: How to pay school invoices in Spain): Before the first monthly bill

• Set up the school app or portal to check receipts and statements (see: School apps and portals): When the first bills start, usually in the first days of the month over 10 or 11 months

• Check each debit and ask your bank to refund a double charge, and tell the school (see: How to pay school invoices in Spain): Within 8 weeks of the debit date for an authorised debit, up to 13 months for an unauthorised one

• Talk to the school early if you fall behind, before returned receipts lead to sanctions (see: What happens if you fall behind on school or lunch (comedor) bills): As soon as a payment is missed or returned

• Challenge charges that look illegal or unclear (see: What to do about school charges that seem illegal or unclear): When a charge appears that the contract does not support

Documents you may need

Identity and residence

• The enrolment contract or school rules that state the charge for a returned — How to pay school invoices in Spain (direct debit and other methods)
• Signed reservation or enrolment contract — Paying a school deposit before you have a Spanish bank account
• The enrolment contract with your concertada or private school — What happens if you fall behind on school or lunch (comedor) bills

Payments and receipts

• Written receipt or email from the school stating the amount — Paying a school deposit before you have a Spanish bank account
• A full invoice — School apps and portals: payments, statements and invoices (facturas)

Other documents

• Proof of a comedor grant — What happens if you fall behind on school or lunch (comedor) bills

Paying school bills: questions that cross several articles

Can I pay a school with a foreign IBAN?

Often yes, because a school in the euro area cannot refuse a direct debit only because the IBAN is from another SEPA country, but some schools only take Spanish IBANs. Ask the school first. If it refuses, pay by bank transfer or card; read How to pay school invoices in Spain and Paying a school deposit before you have a Spanish bank account.

How do I pay a reservation fee from abroad?

Pay by international bank transfer to the school's Spanish IBAN or by card through an online payment link, and put the child's name in the reference. Private schools often give 5 to 15 days to pay, or the place can go to the next applicant.

What happens if a school receipt is returned?

A returned receipt (recibo devuelto) can bring the bank's fee plus an administrative fee from the school, if your contract says so. Repeated returns can lead to suspension of services or loss of the place. Read What happens if you fall behind on school or lunch (comedor) bills, and if a fee looks unfair, What to do about school charges that seem illegal or unclear.

Who can sign the direct-debit mandate for my child's school?

The account holder or an authorised signatory of the account must sign, and that need not be a parent. The mandate also needs the holder's name, address and IBAN. Read How to pay school invoices in Spain, and School apps and portals to see the resulting receipts.