Spain has three school sectors: state (público) — free; concertado — privately run but state-subsidised, so charge only modest fees (often €100–400/month plus extras); and private (privado) — fully fee-paying and independent. Concertado and privado schools follow the Spanish curriculum and teach largely in Spanish (unlike international schools, which teach a foreign curriculum in English). Many concertado schools are Catholic/religious, historically run by religious orders, though there are secular ones too. They appeal to expat families who want smaller classes, a particular ethos or facilities, or more choice than catchment allows, while keeping their child in the Spanish system and language — at a fraction of international-school fees. Concertado places are still partly allocated by the baremo points system; fully private schools you apply to directly. For most expats the real choice is state vs international, but privado/concertado is a valuable middle option. We help families understand and access all three.
The Three School Types
Spain's school system has three distinct sectors, and understanding the difference is the key to navigating your options as an expat parent:
| Type | What it is |
|---|---|
| Público (state) | Fully state-funded and free; allocated by the baremo/catchment system; Spanish curriculum in Spanish. |
| Concertado | Privately run but state-subsidised; charges modest fees and extras; Spanish curriculum; often religious; partly baremo-allocated. |
| Privado (private) | Fully fee-paying and independent; direct application; usually Spanish curriculum (international schools are a specialised subset). |
The crucial distinction for expat families is that both concertado and privado schools normally follow the Spanish national curriculum and teach largely in Spanish — they are part of the Spanish system, not an English-language alternative. That sets them apart from international schools (a specialised type of private school teaching a British, American or IB curriculum in English). So if you want your child in the Spanish system and language but with smaller classes, a particular ethos, better facilities or more choice than catchment offers, a concertado or private Spanish school is the route — and it costs far less than an international school. The rest of this guide unpacks each, but the headline is: privado/concertado = Spanish system, modest-to-moderate fees; international = foreign curriculum in English, premium fees.
Concertado Schools
Concertado schools are the distinctively Spanish middle option — privately owned and run, but with a public funding agreement (a "concierto") that subsidises most of their costs in exchange for following state rules on admissions, curriculum and (in principle) fees. In practice this means they're cheaper than fully private schools — often charging only modest monthly amounts plus extras for activities, materials and meals — while operating with more independence and often a particular ethos than a state school.
Many concertado schools are Catholic or run by religious orders (covered below), reflecting their history, though there are secular and other-denomination ones. They're very popular with Spanish middle-class families and can be excellent — often with strong reputations, good facilities, smaller or more stable classes, and extended hours or activities. For expat families they offer a way to get a well-regarded Spanish-system education at low cost, with more choice than pure catchment allocation. Because they receive public funding, concertado places are still partly allocated through the baremo points system (so catchment and the usual factors apply), though the religious or specific character can be a factor. The official fees are meant to be modest, but families should budget for the "voluntary" contributions, activities and extras that are common in practice. For families wanting Spanish immersion and integration with a particular ethos or reputation, concertado schools are well worth considering.
Concertado = subsidised private, Spanish system, low fees
Concertado schools are privately run but state-subsidised, so charge only modest fees plus extras — far less than international or fully private schools. They follow the Spanish curriculum in Spanish, are often religious, and places are still partly baremo-allocated. A strong middle option for expats wanting the Spanish system with a particular ethos at low cost.
Fully Private Schools
Privado schools are fully independent and fee-paying, with no state subsidy — so they charge real fees and you apply to them directly (no baremo). Most fully private Spanish schools still teach the Spanish curriculum (the English-language international schools are a distinct, specialised subset of the private sector that we cover separately). A purely private Spanish school might appeal to families wanting smaller classes, particular facilities, a specific pedagogical approach (Montessori, Waldorf, etc.), or a school with a strong academic reputation, while keeping their child in the Spanish system and language.
Because they're independent and fee-paying, private schools offer direct admission (you apply, they decide — no catchment lottery), more flexibility on timing (easier for mid-year arrivals than the state baremo windows), and often smaller classes and more facilities. The trade-off is the fees — lower than international schools but a real cost versus state/concertado. For most expat families the practical comparison is state vs international, with concertado as the affordable middle; a fully private Spanish-curriculum school sits between them — more than concertado, less than international, in the Spanish system. It's the right fit for families who specifically want a particular private Spanish school's approach, reputation or flexibility while keeping their child Spanish-educated.
Religious Schools
A large share of Spain's concertado (and some private) schools are religious — predominantly Catholic, many historically founded and run by religious orders. This reflects Spain's history, and these schools are a normal, mainstream choice for many Spanish families, including non-religious ones, who choose them for their reputation, discipline, facilities or ethos rather than strictly for faith.
For expat families, a few points are worth understanding. Religious schools do teach religion and have a faith ethos (chapel, religious events, values-based education), though the intensity varies and many are welcoming to families of other or no faith. There are non-Catholic religious schools (other Christian denominations, and in some cities Jewish, Islamic or other schools), and plenty of secular private/concertado schools too. Religion is also a subject in the wider Spanish curriculum (with a non-religious alternative). The practical takeaway: if a religious ethos suits your family, Spain's religious concertado schools are often excellent and affordable; if you'd prefer secular, those exist across all three sectors — it's simply a factor to check when choosing a school, not a barrier. We can help identify schools that match your preferences on ethos as well as curriculum, language and cost.
What They Cost
Cost is often the deciding factor, and the three Spanish sectors sit at very different price points:
| Sector | Typical cost (guide only) |
|---|---|
| State (público) | Free — only modest costs for books, meals and extras. |
| Concertado | Modest — often roughly €100–400/month plus extras (varies widely); subsidised. |
| Private (privado) | Moderate — higher monthly fees, varying by school; no subsidy. |
| International | Premium — often €6,000–20,000+/year; see the international guide. |
These figures are illustrative ranges only — actual fees vary enormously by school, region and stage, and beyond headline fees families should budget for materials, meals, activities, trips and "voluntary" contributions, which add up in all sectors. The key point is the cost ladder: state is effectively free, concertado is low-cost (the affordable way to get a private-style Spanish education), fully private is moderate, and international is premium. For families who want more than the state offers but can't justify international fees, concertado is the sweet spot — Spanish-system education with a particular ethos or reputation at a fraction of international cost. We don't quote school fees (schools set their own), but we help families understand the sectors and find schools matching both their priorities and their budget, and we provide a clear quote for our own relocation and enrolment support.
How to Choose
Choosing between the sectors comes down to a few honest questions about your family:
- Spanish system or foreign curriculum? If you want your child integrated, fluent and in the Spanish system, state/concertado/private Spanish schools all deliver that; if you need English-language continuity or a home-country curriculum, that points to international.
- Budget? State (free) and concertado (low) versus private (moderate) versus international (premium).
- Child's age? Younger children adapt to Spanish-language schooling easily, favouring state/concertado; exam-age teenagers may need international continuity.
- Ethos & approach? Religious, secular, particular pedagogy, smaller classes, facilities, reputation.
- How long in Spain? Long-term settlers tend toward integration (Spanish system); shorter postings toward international.
For most expat families committed to Spain, the realistic and successful choice is a Spanish-system school — state or concertado — for the integration, fluency and value, reserving international schools for those who specifically need English-language or home-curriculum continuity (often shorter stays or exam-age teens). A concertado or private Spanish school is the answer when you want the Spanish system but with a particular ethos, reputation, smaller classes or more flexibility than catchment allows. The wider state-vs-international decision is set out in our education pillar; this middle ground is the option many families don't realise exists. We advise honestly on the best fit for your child and circumstances, without pushing any one route.
Applying & Enrolling
How you get a place depends on the sector:
Concertado — via the baremo
Because they're state-subsidised, concertado places are largely allocated through the same baremo points system as state schools (catchment, siblings, etc.), within the application windows — so the padrón and timing matter, though the school's specific character can be a factor.
Fully private — direct application
You apply to the school directly, on its own admissions process and timeline — generally more flexible than the state windows, including for mid-year arrivals.
Documents
As with any Spanish school: padrón, the child's passport/NIE and residence documents, vaccination records, and prior school records — often needing sworn translation and sometimes homologation (see our enrolment guide).
Place & start
Once offered and accepted, you complete enrolment, pay any fees, and your child starts — with the school often providing support for non-Spanish-speaking children.
The practical differences from the state route are that concertado still runs through the baremo (so it's not simply "pay and get in"), while fully private schools give you direct, more flexible admission. In all cases the document preparation — padrón, translations, homologation for older children — is the same and is where expat families most need help. We guide families through whichever route fits the school chosen, prepare and translate the documents, and handle the administration in English so enrolment is smooth.
How We Help
We help expat families navigate all three Spanish school sectors. We explain the real differences between state, concertado, private and international schools, advise honestly on the best fit for your child's age, your budget, the ethos you want and how long you'll be in Spain, and then handle the practical side — the padrón, the document preparation and translations, any homologation, and the application (baremo or direct) and enrolment. It's part of our relocation and gestoría support, delivered in English on a clear quote. Book a consultation to find the right school for your child.
Related Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are privately run, but concertado schools have a public funding agreement that subsidises most of their costs, so they charge only modest fees (often roughly €100–400/month plus extras) and follow state rules on admissions and curriculum — places are largely allocated through the baremo points system. Fully private (privado) schools receive no subsidy, charge full fees, and admit you directly on their own process. Both normally teach the Spanish curriculum in Spanish, unlike international schools.
Generally no — concertado and most fully private Spanish schools follow the Spanish national curriculum and teach largely in Spanish (with English taught as a subject, and some bilingual programmes). They are part of the Spanish system, not an English-language alternative. If you need teaching in English on a British, American or IB curriculum, that's an international school — a specialised subset of the private sector that we cover in a separate guide.
Many are — predominantly Catholic, often historically founded and run by religious orders — reflecting Spain's history. They're a mainstream choice for many families, including non-religious ones, who value their reputation, facilities or ethos. They do teach religion and have a faith ethos, though intensity varies and many welcome families of other or no faith. There are also non-Catholic religious schools and plenty of secular private/concertado schools, so secular options exist if you prefer.
Concertado schools are subsidised, so charge modest fees — often roughly €100–400/month plus extras (varies widely) — far less than international schools. Fully private Spanish schools charge higher, varying-by-school fees but still typically well below international schools (which often run €6,000–20,000+/year). Budget also for materials, meals, activities and "voluntary" contributions in all sectors. These are illustrative ranges only; schools set their own fees, so confirm with each school directly.
Yes — concertado (and private) schools are open to expat children. Because concertado schools are state-subsidised, places are largely allocated through the baremo points system, so the same factors as state schools apply (catchment via your padrón, siblings, etc.) within the application windows. Fully private schools admit directly. As with any Spanish school, you'll need the padrón, the child's documents, vaccination records and prior school records (often translated, sometimes homologated for older children).
For many, yes — concertado is the affordable middle option. It gives a well-regarded Spanish-system education with a particular ethos, reputation, smaller or more stable classes and often good facilities, at a fraction of international-school fees, while delivering the same integration and language immersion benefits as state schools. It suits families committed to Spain who want more choice or a particular character than pure catchment offers, without paying international fees. We advise on whether it fits your child and plans.
Yes — while many concertado schools are religious, there are secular concertado and private schools across Spain, including those following particular pedagogies (Montessori, Waldorf and others) and academically focused independent schools. Religion is also a subject in the wider curriculum with a non-religious alternative. So if you'd prefer a secular environment, options exist in all sectors — it's simply a factor to check when choosing. We can help identify schools matching your preference on ethos as well as curriculum, language and cost.
It depends on your priorities: budget (state is free, concertado low, private moderate, international premium), whether you want the Spanish system or a foreign curriculum in English, your child's age (younger children adapt easily to Spanish schooling; exam-age teens may need international continuity), the ethos you want, and how long you'll be in Spain. For most long-term families a Spanish-system school (state or concertado) is the successful choice; international suits those needing English-language or home-curriculum continuity. We advise honestly on the best fit without pushing any route.