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School Enrollment in Spain: Application and Support
We help you apply to the education department, prepare the documents and complete your child's enrollment in a Spanish school. The process usually takes 5–7 business days.
In Spain, children of foreigners have the right to attend public school on the same terms as local children, and education is compulsory from age 6 to 16. School enrollment in Spain is handled by the regional education department, and the school is usually assigned based on where you live. That is why the first thing you need is a padrón certificate: your address determines which schools give you priority.
If you move in the middle of the school year, your child can be enrolled outside the main admission period, but places are allocated from whatever is left. We prepare the application, translate and check the documents, deal with the department and the school, and come with you to the enrollment. Private and semi-private (concertada) schools charge their own fees, paid separately.
Who it is for
- Families moving to Spain on a digital nomad visa or another residence permit
- Parents relocating in the middle of the school year
- Parents who do not speak Spanish and want clear communication with the school
- Families choosing between public, semi-private and private schools
Requirements
- A padrón certificate (empadronamiento) for an address in the right area
- Passports of the child and the parents
- The child's birth certificate, translated if needed
- Records of previous schooling: report cards and letters from the previous school
- Vaccination card or medical records, if the region asks for them
What we do
- Explain how the school system works in your region
- Help you choose schools based on your address and the language of instruction
- Prepare and file the application with the education department
- Check and translate your child's documents
- Go with you to the school meeting and the enrollment
- Tell you whether an older child needs recognition of previous education
Key documents
- Passports of the child and the parents
- The child's birth certificate
- Padrón certificate
- Records of previous schooling
- Vaccination card
- NIE or residence permit documents, if you already have them
How it works
- Consultationwe discuss your child's age, grade, area and school preferences
- Documentswe collect and translate your child's documents
- Applicationwe file the application with the regional education department
- Placementwe receive the decision on a school place
- Enrollmentwe go with you to the school to complete the paperwork
Timeline
Usually 5–7 business days from application to enrollment, if the documents are ready and the school has places.
Timelines are approximate: government agencies, consulates and banks set them.
What to watch out for
- Without a padrón certificate the application is harder and the choice of schools narrows
- In the middle of the year, places at popular schools may already be taken
- In Catalonia and some other regions, part of the teaching is in the regional language
- Older children may need recognition of previous education, which is a separate procedure
FAQ
How much does it cost?
Our service fee is from $650. Government fees, translations, insurance and other mandatory costs are paid separately; we send the full estimate before you sign.
How does school enrollment in Spain work for foreigners?
You get a padrón certificate, gather your child's documents and apply to the regional education department. The department offers a school place based on your address and the places available. We run the whole process and deal with the school on your behalf.
Can I enroll my child in the middle of the school year?
Yes, enrollment outside the main admission period is possible. But places are allocated from those that remain, so the choice may be smaller. The earlier you apply, the more options you have.
Does my child need to speak Spanish?
Speaking Spanish is not required for enrollment. Many regions run adaptation programs for children who are just starting to learn the language. Keep in mind that in some regions, such as Catalonia, some subjects are taught in the regional language.
Do we need a residence permit for my child to attend school?
Children have the right to education regardless of their status, but in practice the school and the department will ask for the padrón and your child's documents. If your residence permit is still in progress, we will discuss which documents can be filed now.
How long does enrollment take?
Usually 5–7 business days from application to enrollment, if your documents are ready and the school has places. In peak periods, such as the start of the school year, it can take longer.
Do you guarantee the result?
No. Decisions are made by government agencies, consulates and banks. We are responsible for preparing and checking documents, filing and support, and we tell you about the risks upfront.
Related programs
Let’s discuss your case
We will check whether the program fits your citizenship, income and family, and send an estimate with the full list of costs.
