Spain for a family with young children, what dominates the decision

Key rules

• Public school: Public schools are free from age 3, but you pay for materials, lunch and extras.
• Admissions: Public and concertada places are awarded by points through a regional application, usually in spring.
• Regional language: In regions with a co-official language, teaching is in Spanish plus that language, so check the rules before choosing where to live.
• Under-threes: Childcare for ages 0 to 3 is not compulsory and places vary widely, so check your town first.
• Private nursery: Private nurseries typically cost roughly 300 to 600 euros a month, more in Madrid, Barcelona and the Basque Country.

The short answer

Spain's family culture is a real strength. Whether it works for you depends on three things: the school mix, the regional language and how scarce childcare is where you live. Judge a town on those three before you judge it on anything else.

Life with children

Children are welcome almost everywhere. You will see them in restaurants, out late in the evening and at public festivals. Family ties are strong, and grandparents often help with daily care. Cities have plenty of playgrounds and parks. Safety for children is generally good.

Public healthcare gives free paediatric care and a vaccination schedule.

Expect some downsides:

• Meals and school days run later than in many countries.
• Affordable housing is limited in big cities.
• The birth rate is low, so some areas have fewer family services.

Schools: three kinds, very different costs

Public schools (colegios públicos) are free. Tuition is free from age 3. You pay for materials, lunch and extras.

Concertadas are privately run but publicly funded. They are often religious and charge voluntary fees. They use the same admissions system as public schools.

Private and international schools charge full fees. International schools (British, American, French, German) teach in foreign languages. Fees run from a few thousand to over 10,000 euros a year.

Places in public and concertada schools are awarded by points, for example for living nearby, having siblings and income. You apply through your region, usually in spring. If you arrive later, the region assigns you a place, and it may not be the school you would choose. Check dates and fees with the education department of your region and with each school, because both vary.

The regional language can decide the choice

In public and concertada schools, teaching is in Spanish plus the regional language where there is one. For a newcomer child this is the biggest practical hurdle. Many regions offer language support classes, and exemptions for newcomers are usually temporary.

How it works in each region:

• Catalonia: Catalan is the main language, and Spanish is taught as a subject. Aran is also used in Val d'Aran. Court rulings on Spanish-language quotas are ongoing.
• Basque Country: you choose between model A (Spanish), model B (bilingual) and model D (Basque, with Spanish as a subject).
• Navarre: Basque is used in the Basque-speaking areas.
• Galicia: Galician and Spanish have a roughly balanced share.
• Valencian Community: programmes in Valencian/Castilian and English, set by linguistic level.
• Balearic Islands: Catalan is the main language, with minimum quotas for Spanish.

Each regional education department sets its own rules. If your child is not a Spanish or regional-language speaker, ask the local department how newcomers are supported. International schools or private schools may suit you better in these regions.

Childcare under age three

Childcare for ages 0 to 3 (the primer ciclo de educación infantil) is not compulsory, and coverage is uneven. Public escuelas infantiles have limited places, priced by income. Some regions, including the Basque Country, Madrid, Catalonia and Galicia, offer high coverage or free places for some ages.

Private nurseries typically cost roughly 300 to 600 euros a month. They cost more in Madrid, Barcelona and the Basque Country. Many regions offer fee subsidies or vouchers, and the national plan has been expanding places. Many families also rely on grandparents or a nanny.

If you have a child under three, check nursery places and subsidies in your town before you commit to a home there.

How to decide

1. Pick the region first and find out the language of instruction.
2. Decide whether public, concertada or international schooling fits your budget and your child's language.
3. Check nursery availability and cost if you have a child under three.
4. Check family support, such as grandparents nearby or a nanny, if you cannot get a nursery place.

The questions below cover the most common practical points.

Frequently asked questions

Will my child be taught in a regional language at school?

Yes, in Catalonia, the Basque Country, Navarre, Galicia, the Valencian Community and the Balearic Islands, schools teach in the regional language as well as Spanish. The mix differs by region. In the Basque Country you choose between a Spanish model, a bilingual one and a Basque one.

What does a private nursery for a child under three cost?

Private nurseries typically cost roughly 300 to 600 euros a month, and more in Madrid, Barcelona and the Basque Country. Public places are limited and priced by income. Many regions offer fee subsidies or vouchers, and some give free places for certain ages.

How do I get a place in a public or concertada school?

You apply through your region, usually in spring, and places go by points for things like distance from home, siblings and income. Concertadas are privately run but publicly funded, and they use the same admissions. If you arrive late, the region assigns you a place.

How much do international schools cost in Spain?

International schools charge fees from a few thousand to over 10,000 euros a year. They teach in a foreign language such as English, French or German.