The Spanish Education System Explained for Expats (2026 Guide)

If you are moving to Spain with children, understanding how the school system works is one of the most important things you can do before you arrive. Spain's education structure looks quite different from what families in the US, UK, or other English-speaking countries are used to -- and the differences go beyond grade names.

This guide walks you through every stage of the Spanish education system, shows you how grades map to other countries, and flags the things that catch expat families off guard.

What you will learn

By the end of this guide you will know how each education stage works in Spain, which stages are compulsory, how your child's current grade translates, and what academic and cultural differences to expect. You will also have a concrete action plan for your first week of research.

Quick reality check

This guide is a good fit if:

• You are relocating with school-age children and want to understand the full system before choosing a school.
• You want to compare grade levels across countries so your child enters the right year.

This guide is less useful if:

• You are only looking at international schools that follow a non-Spanish curriculum (IB, British, American). Those schools set their own stage structure.
• Your child is over 18 and looking at university. Spanish higher education deserves its own guide.

Overview of the Spanish education system

Spain's education system is regulated nationally by the LOMLOE law (Ley Orgánica 3/2020), but each of the 17 autonomous communities has significant control over curriculum details, school calendars, and enrollment processes. This means that while the structure below applies everywhere, specific dates and procedures vary by region.

The system is divided into five main stages. Two of them are compulsory; the rest are optional.

Stage by stage: what each level covers

Educación Infantil (ages 0--6)

Infantil is split into two cycles:

• First cycle (0--3): Often called guardería or escuela infantil. This is essentially nursery and daycare. It is not free in most regions, though some communities (notably Madrid and Andalucía) have expanded free spots for ages 2--3 in recent years. Monthly fees at private nurseries typically range from 200 to 600 euros depending on the city and hours.

• Second cycle (3--6): This is universally free in public and concertado schools and nearly every child in Spain attends. While not legally compulsory, enrollment rates exceed 95%. Children learn pre-reading, early math, social skills, and begin structured routines. Many schools introduce a second language (usually English) at this stage.

The second cycle of Infantil is where most expat families first interact with the Spanish school system. If your child is between 3 and 5, expect to enroll them here.

Educación Primaria (ages 6--12)

Primaria is the first compulsory stage and lasts six years, divided into three two-year cycles. Children typically enter at age 6 (the year they turn 6) and finish at 12.

Key features:

• One main teacher (tutor) for most subjects, with specialist teachers for English, physical education, and music.
• Core subjects include Spanish language, mathematics, natural sciences, social sciences, a foreign language (almost always English), and physical education.
• In bilingual communities (Catalonia, Basque Country, Galicia, Valencia, Balearic Islands), instruction may be partly or mostly in the co-official language.
• No formal national exams at the end of Primaria. Progression is based on continuous assessment.

ESO -- Educación Secundaria Obligatoria (ages 12--16)

ESO is the second compulsory stage. It lasts four years and is roughly equivalent to middle school plus the first two years of high school in the US system.

Students begin choosing some elective subjects in the third year of ESO, and by the fourth year they select a pathway (itinerario) that leans toward either academic or applied learning. This choice influences -- but does not lock in -- their post-16 options.

At the end of ESO, students who pass receive the Título de Graduado en ESO. This diploma is essential: without it, students cannot enter Bachillerato or intermediate-level vocational training (FP de Grado Medio). Students who do not obtain the title can pursue basic vocational programs (FP Básica).

Bachillerato (ages 16--18)

Bachillerato is a two-year, optional, academically focused program that prepares students for university. It is free in public schools. Students choose one of several branches:

• Ciencias y Tecnología (Science and Technology)
• Humanidades y Ciencias Sociales (Humanities and Social Sciences)
• Artes (Arts), offered in two variants at some schools
• General (a newer mixed pathway introduced under LOMLOE)

At the end of Bachillerato, students sit the EBAU (Evaluación de Bachillerato para el Acceso a la Universidad), sometimes still called Selectividad. This is the national university entrance exam. The final university admission score combines Bachillerato grades (60%) and EBAU results (40%).

FP -- Formación Profesional (ages 16+)

Vocational training in Spain is not a second-class option. It has grown significantly in prestige and enrollment, and the 2022 FP reform expanded dual-training models where students split time between classroom and workplace.

FP is organized into three levels:

• FP Básica (Basic FP): For students aged 15--17 who have not completed ESO. Lasts two years and can lead to the ESO title.
• FP de Grado Medio (Intermediate FP): Requires the ESO title. Lasts two years and leads to a Técnico qualification.
• FP de Grado Superior (Higher FP): Requires the Bachillerato title or Grado Medio completion. Lasts two years and leads to a Técnico Superior qualification, which also grants access to university.

Fields range from healthcare and IT to hospitality, renewable energy, and aerospace. FP programs are in high demand, and some popular specialties (especially in nursing, software development, and dental hygiene) fill up quickly.

Grade equivalences: Spain vs US vs UK

One of the most common questions expat parents ask is "what grade will my child be in?" The answer depends on your child's birth date and country of origin. Spain uses a strict calendar-year cutoff: children born in the same calendar year are in the same grade, regardless of month.

Public, concertado, and private: a brief overview

Spain has three school types, and the choice affects cost, language of instruction, curriculum, and admissions process:

• Public (colegio público): Free, government-funded, follows the national and regional curriculum. Admission is based on catchment area, income, and family circumstances via a points system.
• Concertado (colegio concertado): Privately run but publicly funded. Tuition is technically free, though most charge fees for extras (materials, activities, meals) that can add up to 100--300 euros per month. Many are Catholic-affiliated. Same admissions points system as public schools.
• Private (colegio privado): Fully private, fee-paying. Tuition ranges from roughly 400 to 1,200+ euros per month, with international schools at the higher end. Admissions are set by each school.

We have a dedicated guide that goes deep on costs, pros and cons, and how to choose between the three.

Related guides

• Public vs Concertado vs Private Schools in Spain

  A detailed comparison of costs, admissions, and what each school type means for your family.

Academic calendar and school hours

The Spanish school year runs from early-to-mid September through late June. Exact start and end dates vary by autonomous community and are published each spring by the regional education authority (Consejería de Educación).

Key holiday periods (typical)

• Christmas: Approximately December 23 to January 7
• Easter (Semana Santa): Usually 10 days to 2 weeks in March or April
• Summer: Late June through early September (roughly 10--11 weeks)
• Regional and local holidays: Each community and municipality adds several days. Expect 2--4 extra non-school days scattered through the year.

Daily schedule

School hours differ by stage and region, but here is a common pattern:

• Infantil and Primaria: 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM (intensive day, jornada continua) or 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM / 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM (split day, jornada partida). The trend has shifted heavily toward the continuous schedule in recent years, especially post-2020.
• ESO and Bachillerato: Typically 8:00 or 8:30 AM to 2:00 or 2:30 PM, with some schools adding afternoon sessions one or two days per week.

Key differences expat families should know

Spanish schools do several things differently from what US, UK, and other English-speaking families expect. These are not necessarily better or worse, but they do require adjustment.

Repetición (grade repetition)

Students in Spain can be required to repeat a year (repetir curso) if they fail to meet the minimum learning standards. Under LOMLOE, repetition is treated as an exceptional measure and requires an individualized assessment, but it still happens. A student can repeat once during Primaria, once during ESO, and once during Bachillerato. In 2023--2024, roughly 8--9% of ESO students repeated a year nationally.

For expat children, this system can feel surprising. In many US school districts, social promotion is the norm and repeating a grade is rare. In Spain, it is a recognized -- and relatively common -- part of the system.

Evaluación continua (continuous assessment)

Spain relies heavily on continuous assessment rather than high-stakes final exams (except for the EBAU at the end of Bachillerato). Grades throughout the year -- homework, class participation, projects, and periodic tests -- all count toward the final mark. This means your child's day-to-day engagement matters from the start, not just performance on one exam.

Grading scale

Spain uses a 0--10 numeric scale:

• Sobresaliente (Outstanding): 9--10
• Notable (Very Good): 7--8.9
• Bien (Good): 6--6.9
• Suficiente (Pass): 5--5.9
• Insuficiente (Fail): 0--4.9

A grade of 5 or above is a pass. This is straightforward, but it does mean that a 7 in Spain is genuinely strong -- do not compare it to a US grading scale where 70% might feel marginal.

Language of instruction

In monolingual communities (Madrid, Andalucía, Castilla y León, etc.), all instruction is in Spanish. In bilingual communities, the co-official language plays a major role:

• Catalonia: Most public school instruction is in Catalan, with Spanish taught as a subject.
• Basque Country: Schools offer models in Basque only, Spanish only, or mixed. Most families now choose Basque-majority models.
• Valencia / Balearic Islands: Valencian (closely related to Catalan) is used alongside Spanish, with proportions varying by school.
• Galicia: Galician is used for roughly half of instruction.

For expat families who do not speak the co-official language, this is a major factor in school and city selection.

Religious education

Public and concertado schools offer Catholic religion classes, but attendance is optional. Students who opt out take an alternative subject (usually called Atención Educativa or Valores Cívicos). You indicate your preference at enrollment. This choice can be changed each year.

Homework and extracurriculars

Homework loads vary by school and stage. Primaria homework is typically light (15--30 minutes daily). ESO and Bachillerato homework increases significantly. Extracurricular activities at school are common -- sports, music, languages, robotics -- and usually run from 2:00 or 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, with fees ranging from free to 30--60 euros per month per activity.

Enrolling your child: what to prepare

Enrollment processes and timelines differ by region, but you will generally need:

• Empadronamiento (proof of local address registration)
• Child's passport and NIE/TIE if available
• Vaccination records (translated if necessary)
• Previous school records, ideally validated or apostilled
• Birth certificate (translated and apostilled for public/concertado enrollment)

The main enrollment window (plazo ordinario) typically opens between March and May for the following September. If you arrive mid-year, you will go through an extraordinary enrollment process managed by the local education authority, which assigns available spots.

Related guides

• School Enrollment Windows in Spain by Region

  Exact timelines, required documents, and how the points system works.

• Validating Foreign School Records in Spain

  How to get your child's transcripts recognized so they enter the right grade.

Find schools near you

Browse public, concertado, and private schools across Spain's major cities.

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Common mistakes and how to avoid them

• Assuming September is the only entry point. Mid-year enrollment is possible through the extraordinary process, but choice is limited. Plan around the regular window when you can.
• Ignoring the co-official language. If you move to Catalonia or the Basque Country, your child will need to learn the regional language in addition to Spanish. Factor this into your timeline and expectations.
• Expecting a full-day school schedule. Many primary schools end at 2:00 PM. Budget for comedor and extracurriculars if both parents work.
• Not validating foreign transcripts early. The homologación or convalidación process can take months. Start before you move if possible.
• Comparing grading scales directly. A 7 out of 10 in Spain is a strong grade. Do not panic if your child's marks look lower than what you are used to seeing.

What to do this week

1. Identify which Spanish education stage your child will enter using the grade equivalence table above.
2. Check whether your target city or region uses a co-official language and understand how that affects instruction.
3. Start gathering and apostilling your child's school records, vaccination documents, and birth certificate.
4. Look up your region's enrollment calendar — most open between March and May for the following September.
5. Read our guide on public vs concertado vs private schools to narrow down your school type preference.
6. Browse the school directory to shortlist schools in your target neighborhood.

Related guides

• Daycare Costs and Waiting Lists in Spain

  Planning guide for the 0–3 stage, including fees, application timing, and regional differences.

• School Catchment Zones and the Padrón

  How your registered address affects which public and concertado schools you can access.

• Special Education Support Rights in Spain

  What services are available and how to access them for children with additional needs.

• Homeschooling in Spain: School Transition Guide

  Legal status of homeschooling and how to transition into or out of the formal system.