Education and Schools in Madrid

Education and schools in Madrid offer excellent standards, and you’ll be spoilt for choice as an expat parent. While there are a range of educational options in Madrid, expat families and wealthier locals typically send their children to private or international schools, which offer higher academic standards and a greater variety of extracurricular activities.

Public schools in Madrid

Public schools in Madrid are free to all citizens and registered residents who have an NIE number and Empadronamiento. These state schools maintain high teaching standards but are attended mainly by local Spanish families because classes are conducted entirely in Spanish. It’s worth considering if you’re planning a permanent move to Spain. Public education can also be a good option for young children who can pick up the language more easily, but older students may find Spanish-medium instruction challenging.

NIE Number in Spain
Education System and Schools in Spain

Semi-private and private schools in Madrid

Semi-private schools in Madrid are predominantly Catholic institutions that receive government subsidies and form part of Spain’s broader education system. These schools offer more affordable tuition fees compared to European private schools, but they follow Spanish curricula and conduct lessons in Spanish, which can present challenges for newly arrived expat children.

Independent private schools in Madrid often provide bilingual education, but tuition fees tend to be substantial. These institutions can cost thousands of euros annually, and some market themselves as international schools while actually teaching the Spanish national curriculum in a foreign language. These schools are more favoured among local Spanish families than the expat community.

International schools in Madrid

International schools in Madrid maintain both the teaching language and academic curricula from countries such as the USA, the UK, and Germany, or the International Baccalaureate. These educational institutions have extensive experience accommodating students who have previously studied different curricula, and they can be an effective bridge between your child’s home country education and their new Spanish environment.

All reputable international schools register with their respective country’s embassy. Many schools maintain lengthy waiting lists, so expat families should begin the enrolment process well before the academic year starts.

Best International Schools in Madrid

Special educational needs in Madrid

Special educational needs support in Madrid varies across institutions. The Spanish government requires public schools to educate children with special needs and provides grants to schools with specially trained teachers, although not all schools have adequate facilities.

Children requiring intensive support may attend specialised schools or mainstream schools with dedicated special needs teachers, psychologists, and speech therapists. There are some government grants to support families with treatment costs, including assistance available regardless of household income levels.

Useful links

• Madrid Community: Special Educational Needs (Spanish)
• Ministry of Inclusion, for Social Security and Migration

Childcare and nurseries in Madrid

Childcare and nurseries in Madrid top the priority list for expat parents with young children. Spanish maternity leave lasts 16 weeks, meaning mothers typically begin seeking childcare when their babies reach four months old. Finding suitable childminders or nursery places can be competitive due to high demand.

Spain operates guarderías (subsidised nursery schools) that charge fees based on family income, alongside escuela infantil (free kindergartens). These options reduce costs significantly, but the application process involves bureaucratic procedures requiring income verification with your local municipality. Most expat families choose private nurseries, which cost more than state-subsidised options but offer greater flexibility in language instruction and location while avoiding Spain’s notorious administrative red tape.

Useful links

• Madrid Community: Early Childhood Education (Spanish)

Tutors in Madrid

Private tutors in Madrid provide extensive support for your children’s educational needs. Several companies register qualified private tutors, allowing you to apply through established platforms such as Preply and Apprentus. You can also search independently online for tutors, many of whom offer both in-person and online sessions.

Tutors typically provide academic support and reinforce classroom learning. This is particularly valuable for students adjusting to new schools or different curricula. Children attending Spanish-language schools especially benefit from tutoring support as they adapt to learning in their second language.

Useful links

• Preply
• Apprentus
• Tus Clases Particulares
• Superprof