How the school admission points system (baremo) works

Terms used

• Baremo — The baremo is the regional points scale used to rank applicants when a school has more applicants than places.
• Padrón — The padrón is the municipal register of residents; being registered proves your address to your town hall.
• AEAT — The AEAT is Spain's tax agency, which can check your household's income tax data.
• Sorteo — The sorteo is a public draw of a number used to settle ties between applicants with equal points.

Key rules

• Regional scales: Criteria are broadly common, but each region sets its own point values.
• Proximity: Home address usually weighs most, so a rental contract, padrón registration or employment contract matters.
• Income points: Without Spanish tax records you usually get no income points.
• Ties: Equal scores are settled by the region's order of criteria, then a public draw.

Point values and tie-break order change by region and year, so confirm the current figures with your regional education department.

How the points system works

When a public or concertado school has more applicants than places, it ranks applications with a regional scale called the baremo. Every region uses broadly the same criteria, but each sets its own point values. Newcomers can still earn points, and tie-breaks decide the rest.

The main criteria

Most regions score some mix of these:

• A brother or sister already at the school.
• Proximity: how close your home, or a parent's workplace, is to the school (the catchment area).
• Family income.
• Large family or single-parent family status.
• Disability of the pupil, a parent or a sibling.
• Other items, such as the pupil's own illness (celiac disease, for example), special family circumstances, a linked school or school of origin, a parent or sibling who was a former pupil, and a parent working at the school.

Madrid, Catalonia, Andalusia and Valencia each use their own combination. Regions can add or drop minor criteria.

How much each one is worth

Proximity of the home normally carries the most weight. Siblings at the school and low income also weigh heavily. Large family, disability and the other criteria usually add smaller scores. Catalonia uses fixed points for siblings, proximity, income support recipients and large families. Valencia and Andalusia use scales with similar categories. Check the current figures with your region's education department before you rely on them.

What newcomers can earn

You can earn proximity points from the address where you live or where a parent works. For that you need a rental contract, a registration on the padrón or an employment contract. If you are not yet on the padrón, you may lose proximity points, so register early.

You can also claim points for:

• Siblings already at the school.
• Disability, with a recognised assessment.

Points that depend on past records are harder to get. These include income (which needs Spanish tax data), former pupil status and a linked school. Foreign documents often need translation or legalisation. The documents list below shows what to prepare.

Income points without Spanish tax records

Income is normally checked automatically through the AEAT, using your household's latest income tax data and your consent. Without Spanish tax records you usually cannot prove income, so you get no income points. Some regions accept a certificate or foreign income documents. Ask the school or your regional education department.

When points are tied

If applicants finish on equal points, the region applies its own order of criteria, such as siblings or proximity first. Any remaining tie is settled by a public draw (sorteo). The order differs by region, so check the current rule with your regional education department.

The decision block and FAQ below help you choose which criteria to claim.

Choosing between options

Which criteria should you claim and rely on for admission points?

• Rely on proximity: You have a rental contract, padrón registration or employment contract. Proximity carries the most weight in all four regions.

• Claim siblings at the school: An older child is already enrolled there. Siblings also weigh heavily and are often a first tie-break.

• Add family status or disability: You can document a large family, single-parent status or a recognised disability. These add smaller scores.

Claim every criterion you can document, starting with proximity.

Documents you need

• Proof of address for proximity points: a rental contract, a padrón registration (the municipal register) or an employment contract if you use a parent's work address.

• Large family or single-parent family documentation, if you claim those points.

• A recognised disability assessment for the pupil, a parent or a sibling, if you claim disability points.

• Income evidence: normally the AEAT (Spain's tax agency) checks your latest Spanish income tax data with your consent. Without Spanish tax records, ask whether your region accepts a certificate or foreign income documents.

• Foreign documents, which often need a sworn translation or legalisation before the school or authority accepts them.

Frequently asked questions

Can a newly arrived family still earn points?

Yes, a newly arrived family can earn points for proximity, large or single-parent family status, disability and siblings already at the school, if each is documented. Proximity needs a rental contract, a padrón registration (the municipal register) or an employment contract.

Do I get income points if I have no Spanish tax records?

Usually no, because family income is normally checked automatically through the AEAT, Spain's tax agency, using your latest Spanish income tax data and your consent.

What happens if two applicants have the same total points?

Ties are settled by an order of criteria, such as siblings or proximity first, and then by a public draw (sorteo) of a number. The order differs by region. Ask the regional education department for the current order.

Are the point values the same in every region?

No, each region sets its own point values, though proximity of the home usually carries the most weight.