Guide: Family & Daily Life
Public vs Concertado vs Private Schools in Spain
A practical 2026 guide to Public vs Concertado vs Private Schools in Spain for expats moving to Spain, with clear steps, required documents, and timeline planning.
Spain can absolutely improve your quality of life, but bureaucracy and planning mistakes can make this part of the move expensive. This guide covers Public vs Concertado vs Private Schools in Spain so families can choose a school model that matches budget, language goals, and relocation timeline.
Last reviewed on February 12, 2026. Rules, office criteria, and processing times can change. Confirm current requirements with official sources before filing or paying fees.
Clear promise
By the end of this guide, you should be able to make a confident go/no-go decision and execute the next steps without guessing.
Quick reality check
This path is usually a good fit if:
- You are relocating with children and can plan around enrollment windows.
- You want to compare school options with realistic cost and commute assumptions.
This path is harder if:
- You are moving mid-year with limited housing certainty and no padron yet.
- You need immediate language support and have incomplete academic records.
Decision questions to answer first
- Which school model best fits your budget and educational priorities?
- How important are language environment and curriculum continuity?
- What commute and childcare constraints will shape school choice?
Step-by-step main guidance
1. Define non-negotiables: budget cap, language goals, commute limits.
2. Shortlist schools by model and admissions feasibility.
3. Collect required records and translations early.
4. Submit applications within window and track each stage.
5. Confirm onboarding plan for language and social transition.
Costs, timing, and required documents
Use these ranges for planning, not as guarantees:
- School research and shortlist: 2 to 6 weeks.
- Document prep and enrollment submission: 1 to 4 weeks.
- Placement and onboarding: varies by region and school capacity.
Core documents to prepare:
- Child identity, vaccination, and prior school records.
- Address proof needed for zoning or admissions procedures.
- Enrollment forms and deadline calendar by school type.
- Cost model including meals, transport, activities, and extras.
- Language support documents if requested by schools.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
- Choosing based on reputation only without cost and commute reality.
- Missing enrollment windows while waiting for housing certainty.
- Assuming enrollment documents and deadlines are identical nationwide.
Final action plan: what to do this week
- Build a school comparison sheet with total annual cost.
- Contact admissions offices for exact documentation lists.
- Gather academic and vaccination records in Spanish-ready format.
- Schedule school visits (or virtual meetings) with focused questions.