Starting Infantil at age 3: is it compulsory and how to enrol

Key rules

• Compulsory ages: Infantil is voluntary, and schooling only becomes compulsory from age 6 to 16.
• Free places: Teaching for ages 3 to 6 is free in public and concertado schools, but not in fully private schools.
• Extra costs: Canteen, transport, extended hours and activities can still be charged.
• Applying: Apply through your region's admissions call, usually between March and May.

Is Infantil at age 3 compulsory?

No. But nearly all children aged 3 to 6 attend, so treat it as the normal route. Popular schools fill up, and the main entry point at age 3 has the most applicants per place.

What is free and what is not

The second cycle of Infantil (ages 3 to 6) is free in publicly funded schools. That means public schools and concertado schools, which are privately run but state-funded. The authorities must guarantee enough places. These costs can still be charged:

• the canteen (comedor)
• school transport
• early-morning or after-school care
• extracurricular activities
• some materials or uniforms

Concertado schools may charge for approved extra activities. Some schools ask for "voluntary" fees. They must be voluntary, so you can say no. Many regions offer income-based help with the canteen or materials.

Fully private schools set their own fees. Free places are not generally guaranteed for children under 3, and regions subsidise that stage differently.

How to enrol

In most regions one regional application (solicitud de admisión) covers both Infantil 3 and the first year of Primaria, with the same calendar and the same points scale. The application has no fee, and you start it with your region's solicitud de admisión, online or at the school. The call runs in the year your child turns 3. The exact dates and rules differ by region and can change from year to year. A late application is handled after the main call, and you get only the places left over after the main allocation. The late-arrival steps are in Moving to Spain outside the spring enrolment window.

Places are given by the regional points scale (baremo), explained in Public, subsidised (concertado) and private schools explained. You list several schools in order of preference, so include some realistic options besides your first choice.

If you are not given a place or disagree with the result, the appeal rules are in Public, subsidised (concertado) and private schools explained.

When the places are published, enrol at the school you were given within the stated period.

Plan ahead

Start looking at schools several months before the call opens. Make sure your address is registered, because home address earns points.

If you travel with children

Your child aged 3 to 6 can apply for a place whatever your status. The application form, identity documents and proof of address are listed in Documents you need to enrol your child in a Spanish school, and you add proof for any baremo points you claim.