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International Schools in Spain

Edited by · Chief Marketing Officer

About international schools in Spain

International schools in Spain offer a broad mix of curricula - most commonly British (IGCSE/A-level), the International Baccalaureate (PYP/MYP/DP) and a smaller number of American, French and German programmes - and are concentrated in Madrid, Barcelona and the main coastal expat hubs. Instruction is frequently in English, with Spanish and regional languages (for example Catalan) commonly taught or used alongside language-support classes for non-native pupils. Published tuition varies widely by city and school level but commonly runs from roughly €6,000 to €28,000 a year; parents should also budget for one-off enrolment fees, meals, transport, uniforms and extras. Admissions tend to centre on a September intake, with assessments, interviews or language tests during the autumn and winter and mid-year places offered where space permits; relocating families should check language provision, university recognition of the diploma and any residency/visa documentation required.

Compare 54 international schools in Spain. Filter by curriculum, fees (average EUR 15,369), location, and more to find the right international school now.

At a glance 54 schools · avg fee EUR 15,369
Schools listed
54
Curricula
18
Average annual fee
EUR 15,369
Fee range
EUR 500 – 44,359
Most common curriculum
British Curriculum (31 schools)
Average school size
599 pupils
Largest by enrolment
King's College The British School of Madrid - Soto de Vinuelas
Oldest
Baleares International College - Sant Agusti (1957)
With boarding
14
View by curriculum (5)

23 international schools in Madrid

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15 international schools in Barcelona

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8 international schools in Malaga

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3 international schools in Mallorca

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2 international schools in Alicante

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1 international school in Santiago-de-compostela

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1 international school in Ibiza

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1 international school in Las-palmas

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Choosing an international school in Spain

Curricula

There are 54 international schools in Spain covering 18 curricula. The most widely offered are British Curriculum (31), IB (DP) (23), American Curriculum (18), EYFS (Early years foundation stage) (16), Cambridge IGCSE (16). If your child may move countries again, an internationally-portable curriculum (IB, or Cambridge/British) keeps options open; if you're likely to settle, a curriculum matching your home or target university system can be the better fit.

Fees & what they cover

Annual tuition across Spain runs from about EUR 500 to EUR 44,359, averaging roughly EUR 15,369. Budget for one-off costs on top — application and enrolment fees, a refundable deposit, uniform, transport and exams.

Admissions & timing

Sought-after schools in Spain run waiting lists, so apply early — ideally a term or two ahead. Most admissions involve an application, prior school reports and an assessment or interview, with entry points often tied to the school year. Each school's profile shows term dates, open days and how to enquire.

Boarding

14 of the 54 schools offer boarding — useful if you're relocating or want weekly or full boarding.

How doris stays impartial

doris lists every international school in Spain we can find — not only those that pay. We take no placement fees and sell no rankings or "top school" spots, so the schools above aren't ordered by who paid most. Details come from the schools' own information and public sources, and you can compare any of them side by side.

Explore more — related searches, map view, upcoming events

FAQs for Spain

What curricula will my child be able to choose between in Spain’s international schools?
Most international schools in Spain follow one of a few curriculum families: British (National Curriculum/IGCSE/A-Levels), the International Baccalaureate (PYP, MYP, DP), and a smaller set of American, French or German national programmes; there are also Spanish private and bilingual schools that combine the Spanish curriculum with strong foreign-language instruction. Each pathway differs in assessment style, university recognition and the balance between national and international subject requirements, so check how a school’s programme maps to your family’s longer-term plans.
How much do international schools in Spain cost and what extras should we budget for?
Headline tuition varies by city and level but typically ranges from mid-low thousands of euros at early years to upwards of €20,000 - €28,000 a year for senior secondary at higher-fee schools; many guides report typical city mid-ranges rather than single fixed figures. In addition to tuition expect a non-refundable enrolment or registration fee, deposits in some schools and annual extras for lunches, transport, textbooks, uniforms and after-school activities that can add 20 - 40% to the headline price.
When should we apply and what does the admissions process look like?
The main intake for most international schools is September, and schools commonly run application assessments, interviews and language tests during the autumn and winter months; many schools also accept applications year-round subject to space and may offer mid-year starts. Popular entry points are nursery/early years, the start of primary, and key secondary transitions (for example the start of GCSE/IGCSE years and upper secondary), so apply early for those year groups and expect waiting lists at well-subscribed schools.
What language will my child be taught in and what support is available if they do not speak the language?
Instruction in international schools is most often in English, but many schools offer bilingual tracks and teach Spanish and regional languages such as Catalan; some schools also operate mainly in French or German depending on their curricular affiliation. Most established international schools provide English-as-an-additional-language (EAL) or Spanish support classes and staged language entry plans, so check the school’s described language support, intake assessment and pathways for pupils new to the language of instruction.
Will an international diploma allow my child to study at university in Spain?
Many international qualifications - notably the IB Diploma and recognised foreign secondary diplomas - can be used to apply to Spanish universities, but some diplomas require a formal recognition or homologación process and additional paperwork (documents, translations, legalisation) depending on the issuing country. Families should consult the Spanish Ministry of Education guidance for recognition/homologation and check individual university entry rules, especially if a student plans to study a regulated profession or apply through the Spanish access system.
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