A child at a Spanish school. What should you look out for?

Does a Polish child learn for free at a Spanish school and how do you enrol them in the institution? Find out what education is like in the Iberian Peninsula and what formalities you need to complete as a parent.

Moving to a new country is a big deal for the whole family. Adults have to find a new job, while children change schools and start learning in a completely new place. What is the education system like on the Iberian Peninsula? Are there Polish schools in Spain? You will find answers to these and other questions in this guide.

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27.03.2025

Public education in Spain is organised by region. In practice, this means that children attend the school closest to their family's place of residence. However, if you plan to send your child to a private school, you can choose any school you like.

How do I enrol my child in a school in Spain? First of all, you need to prepare the relevant documents. You will need:

• Partida de Nacimiento, which is the child's international birth certificate;
   
• Certificado de empadronamiento, which is a certificate of residence;
   
• Cartilla de la Seguridad Social, which is the child's health card (Poles can present an EHIC);
   
• Certificado de graduacion de clase, i.e. school certificates from previous years of education (translated into Spanish);
   
• Fotocopia de las Vacunas del alumno, i.e. a photocopy of the child's vaccination card.

In addition, the school in Spain requires the provision of ID photos. Parents must also present their passports and provide N.I.E. numbers

The sooner you enrol your child in a Spanish school, the better. Once you have completed all the documents, take part in the spring enrolment (you can do this online while you are still in your home country), as it can take up to several weeks to get a place in a school. A Spanish electronic signature (Certificado digital) will be useful when submitting your application.

Are you wondering how to enrol your child in a Spanish school step by step? During registration, you choose the child's educational level. Then you fill in the application form available on the website and select the schools you are interested in. Once you have finished, you will receive a code that allows you to check the status. You can also go in person to the selected school and submit the documents to the office.

The Spanish education system differs from the Polish one. First of all, compulsory education applies to children aged 6 to 16, and not until they reach the age of majority, as is the case in Poland. 

The first stage in Spain – in addition to nursery – is Etapa infantil, or pre-school education, for children aged 3 to 6. It is not compulsory, but most parents decide to enrol their children in kindergarten. This is a good solution if your child is still young when you move. This makes it easier for them to learn Spanish.

The next stage is Educación Primaria, or primary school, which lasts 6 years. Children learn mathematics, science and, of course, Spanish. They also attend physical education classes.

Where does a Polish child study afterwards? In a Spanish lower secondary school, i.e. Educación Secundaria Obligatoria, which they start at around the age of 12. They spend 4 years at this school, which is the final stage of compulsory education. After graduating from school, the child receives an ESO certificate, which enables them to continue their education.

At this stage, the child has a choice. They can either finish their education or continue it in one of two institutions. These are:

• Secondary school, i.e. Bachillerato – lasts 2-3 years, and students choose a specific specialisation. This stage prepares them for further education at a university.
   
• Vocational school, or Escuela de formación profesional, operates on the same principles as institutions in Poland. It prepares students to work in a specific profession, e.g. in the catering or mechanical industry.

• There are three types of schools: public, private and semi-private. In addition to these, children can attend international schools where they can prepare for the IB diploma, for example.
   
• The school year starts in mid-September and lessons usually start at 9 a.m.
   
• A Polish child at a Spanish school can expect many public holidays and long holidays.

Although there are Polish schools in Spain, practically all of them are private. The Polish School at the Polish Embassy in Madrid is an exception, as it is a public institution. However, it should be remembered that the institution only provides supplementary education, and classes are only held on Fridays. This means that even if you enrol your child in this school, they will have to attend a regular Spanish school.

The Polish School at the Polish Embassy is under the Ministry of National Education and offers early childhood, primary and secondary education. Students attend classes in Polish language or knowledge about Poland.

The private Polish school in Spain works on a similar principle – classes are usually held on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday and are only a supplement to regular education at a Spanish school. Its big advantage is the possibility of obtaining a Polish certificate. The Polish school is located in Valencia (Amigos de la Lengua Polaca).

When choosing a school in Spain, decide whether your child will attend a public or private institution, or perhaps a concertada, a semi-public school that is cheaper. The state covers part of the costs and parents pay the rest of the tuition fees. In addition, consider the location and travel time to school (if you do not want to use the public education system in Spain), the size of the classes and the offer – language and available extracurricular activities.

Public schools in Spain are free of charge. This applies to both primary and secondary education. However, parents must be prepared for certain costs, similar to those in Poland. These include the purchase of school supplies and textbooks and the payment for trips organised by the school. The same applies to voluntary extracurricular activities, e.g. sports or language courses, which are paid for by the parents.

Higher education in Spain is also free, provided that the prospective student chooses a state university. The rest of the institutions are fee-paying, and the amount of tuition fees varies depending on the place of study and the chosen field of study.

A Polish child at a Spanish school can count on the support of the teaching staff and peers, who are kind and helpful. Regardless of whether you choose a public or private institution, make sure you find the right place for your family. Elite World Estates, a real estate agency specialising in the Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol, will help you find the perfect house or apartment in the perfect location.

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Let us narrow down the search among the properties available through us, by contacting us and finding the best options for you. We are here to help you! Please enter your contact details below and we will contact you as soon as possible.

Let us narrow down the search among the properties available through us, by contacting us and finding the best options for you. We are here to help you!
Please enter your contact details below and we will contact you as soon as possible.