Education and Schools in Barcelona

The education system in Spain is decentralised. Schools in Barcelona have to adhere to guidelines set out by both the government of Catalonia and the country’s Ministry of Education.

Schools in Spain are generally either público (public), privado (private), or concertado (semi-private). Each system has its own distinct advantages and drawbacks, and you’ll want to evaluate your priorities when finding a school that best suits your children’s needs.

Unlike public schooling in much of the rest of the country, the language of instruction in Barcelona is Catalan, which is the official language of the province.

By law, children in Barcelona are required to go to school between the ages of 6 and 16.

Public schools in Barcelona

The public school system in Barcelona is free to attend, but you’ll need to pay for books and materials, although uniforms are not required.

If expat parents send their younger children to a Barcelona public school, they can provide them with a fantastic opportunity to learn the language and integrate with local residents. That said, older students will most likely need instruction in their first language, with a slower immersion into Catalan and Spanish, and may require additional adjustment time.

Due to overcrowding, it can be difficult for expat children to gain admission into certain public schools. In some areas, a lottery system may be the only means of entrance after a points-based allocation system.

Expat parents will also have to fill out the necessary paperwork in either Catalan or Spanish, typically during the March application period. Alternatively, it may be a good idea to find an individual who can help with the process, such as a gestor.

Education System and Schools in Spain

Semi-private schools in Barcelona

Semi-private schools are subsidised by the government, and while tuition is officially covered, parents often end up paying voluntary fees that vary from school to school. The standards of these schools differ between districts, but it is generally assumed that schools in more affluent areas are of a better standard.

These schools are a good option for expat parents who would prefer smaller class sizes for their children, but cannot afford a private international school in Barcelona. These schools generally follow the Spanish curriculum, and the primary teaching language will typically be Catalan.

International schools in Barcelona

International schools in Barcelona are private schools that uphold the language of instruction and curriculum of a foreign country, and generally provide an excellent standard of education. The number of these institutions has grown significantly over the past decade.

Space in these institutions is commonly limited, as demand is frequently high, and some schools admit students based on nationality quotas.

International schools offer pupils the benefit of continuing with a language of instruction and curriculum that is familiar. That said, all international schools have annual tuition fees, which can range from several thousand to tens of thousands of euros annually. It is best to consult schools individually to find out more about these costs.

International Schools in Barcelona

Special educational needs in Barcelona

The government requires mainstream Spanish schools to educate children with special educational needs if they have the necessary facilities and teachers. The government offers grants to schools that have specialist teachers available to educate students with special needs, as well as the necessary facilities.

Children with special needs in Barcelona are typically sent to a Centre for Special Needs (Centro de Valoración y Orientación de Discapacitados) for assessment to determine the level of support they will need to integrate into mainstream classrooms. Alternatively, there are special needs schools in Barcelona that are equipped to teach children with a range of needs.

Children with special needs may also qualify for a government grant to help pay for treatments, tutoring or the fees for a special-needs school if necessary.

Useful links

• European Agency: Systems of Support in Spain
• Eurydice: Special Education Needs Provision in Spain

Childcare and nurseries in Barcelona

Similar to primary and secondary schools, there are public, state-assisted and private nursery schools in Barcelona. Children can attend guarderías from four months to three years and continue to nursery school for children between three and six years old. Demand is typically high in public nursery schools, so find out how many spots are available in your district and apply in advance to guarantee a placement for your tots.

Expat parents who would prefer for their little ones to get individual attention will also have plenty of childminders to choose from. Childcare is generally expensive, so parents will have to budget accordingly to access this service.

Private nursery schools are usually pricier than state-assisted and public schools, but some offer bilingual instruction, and they often have excellent facilities.

Useful links

• Barcelona City Council: Nursery Schools (Escoles Bressol) Guide
• aFFaC: Complete Guide for New Families (PDF)
• Barcelona City Council: Plan for Education of Little Children (PDF)

Tutors in Barcelona

Private tutoring is available in Barcelona and can be done either at home or in a tutoring studio, provided the tutor has access to a studio. Several companies have registered tutors in Barcelona, and parents can apply for a tutor through one of these. Popular tutoring platforms include Tutoring Barcelona, Apprentus, Preply, Superprof, and MyPrivateTutor.

It may be beneficial for expat children to have a tutor assist them in adjusting to the new school and curriculum. Tutors can also help children adapt to learning in Catalan if they’re attending one of the public or semi-private schools in the city.

Useful links

• Tutoring Barcelona
• Apprentus
• Preply
• Superprof