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WESTERN FAMILIES
Moving to Spain from the UK with children: how to choose the school.
State, concertado or international, and why your child’s age matters more than any other factor.
The three systems
| System | Cost | Language |
|---|---|---|
| State (colegio público) | Free, apart from books and activities | Spanish, plus any co-official regional language |
| Concertado | Often €50–300 a month | Spanish; smaller classes, more structured |
| International or British | €7,000–18,000 per child a year | English: IGCSE and A-Level, or the IB |
Your child’s age decides this, not your budget
| Age | Usually | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 3–7 | State school | Conversational Spanish within a year |
| 8–11 | State or concertado | Adaptable; extra Spanish support helps most |
| 12–14 | Finely balanced | Harder content at the same time as a new language |
| 15–18 | International school | Curriculum continuity outweighs immersion |
The regional language question
In the Valencian Community, state schools now set a base language for each class, Valencian or Spanish, according to what families choose, with English making up 15 to 25% of teaching. In the 2025 family consultation, the Vega Baja chose Spanish almost everywhere, while the Marina Alta (Dénia, Jávea, Calpe) mostly chose Valencian. Torrevieja and Orihuela are in the Spanish-speaking zone. Children arriving from abroad can be exempted from Valencian assessment in their first year and the next. Catalonia teaches mainly in Catalan; Andalusia, including the Costa del Sol, teaches in Spanish.
The practical steps, in order
- Register on the padrón first.
- Apply in spring for September.
- Get school records apostilled and translated by a traductor jurado.
- Bring vaccination records.
- Visit in person, and ask about Spanish language support.
Coaching and guidance only, not legal advice. Not an immigration lawyer or agent. Every pathway goes through the official channel of the destination country.
Working out schooling for your own children?
Start with a short call and leave with a clear next step for your situation.
Where to go next
Moving with children
Schools, healthcare and the first year.
Moving from the UK
Brexit, healthcare, driving and the tax questions.
Jávea and Altea
Spain’s quietest luxury.