- Right to school. Foreigners under 16 have the right and the duty to be educated[1]. Compulsory education lasts 10 years, from 6 to 16[2].
- Pre-school P3, P4 and P5 (ages 3 to 6) is free but not compulsory[2].
- Fees. State and concertada schools may not charge for tuition, and extra activities are voluntary[2]. Private and international schools charge fees.
- Enrolling after a move. Outside pre-enrolment you can apply at any time and free of charge, with help from the municipal school offices (OME)[4]. In Barcelona applications are handled in the order they arrive[5].
- Language. The usual language of teaching is Catalan, and newcomers are entitled to language support[6].
What types of schools there are in Barcelona
| Type of school | What it is | Tuition fees |
|---|---|---|
| Pública | State school | Free[2] |
| Concertada | Private school working under an agreement (concierto) with the state[2] | Free, extra activities are voluntary[2] |
| Privada | Private school following the Spanish curriculum | Fee-paying |
| International | Foreign school listed in the register of schools; if it teaches only a foreign curriculum, it does not admit Spanish nationals except dual nationals of that country[3] | Fee-paying |
Studies at a foreign school are later recognised through homologación[3]. How it works: recognition of school certificates in Spain. There are no official prices for private and international schools; each school publishes its own.
How to enrol your child after moving
- First register on the padró at your new address: your school area depends on it. How: registering on the padró in Barcelona.
- If you arrive after the main enrolment, apply outside pre-enrolment. Applications are accepted at any time and free of charge, except during pre-enrolment itself: in 2026 it ran from 4 to 18 March[4].
- The municipal school offices (Oficines Municipals d'Escolarització, OME) help with the application[4].
- In Barcelona applications outside pre-enrolment are handled in the order they arrive. If the child does not start at the assigned school within two weeks, the place is lost[5].
All the steps with documents and points are in the school in Barcelona route, and school areas by district in Barcelona districts for families.
Which language Barcelona schools teach in
The usual language of teaching in Catalan schools is Catalan, and children may not be split into classes by language[6]. A child who has just arrived is entitled to language support[6]. For teenagers, Barcelona runs 10 accelerated welcome classes (aula d'acollida accelerada) for years 1, 2 and 3 of ESO, with 20 places each, running from September to January[8]. More on the language: do you need Catalan.
School calendar 2026-2027
The school year in Catalonia starts on 8 September 2026 and ends on 21 June 2027. Christmas holidays run from 22 December to 7 January, Easter holidays from 20 to 29 March 2027[7]. The following year runs from 8 September 2027 to 22 June 2028[7].
School and the child's residence permit
When parents with a residence permit renew the permit of a school-age child, they must show that the child attends school[1]. Get the school certificate in advance. How to get a permit for a child: residence permit for a child in Spain.
How we can help
The ReloVictory team in Barcelona helps families with the move: choosing the residence route, the padró and documents, and explaining how to apply for a school place. More: moving with your family, prices: our fees.
Frequently asked questions
Is school in Barcelona free for foreign children?
Can I enrol my child in the middle of the school year?
Which language do Barcelona schools teach in?
When does the 2026-2027 school year start in Catalonia?
Official sources
- BOE · Organic Law 4/2000, article 9 (education of foreigners) ↗
- BOE · Organic Law 2/2006 on Education, articles 4, 15, 88, 108 ↗
- BOE · Real Decreto 806/1993, foreign schools in Spain, articles 7, 8, 18 ↗
- Generalitat de Catalunya · school application outside the pre-enrolment period ↗
- Consorci d'Educació de Barcelona · how to get a school place ↗
- BOE · Llei 12/2009 on Education in Catalonia, articles 10 and 11 ↗
- Departament d'Educació · school calendar 2026-2027 ↗
- Consorci d'Educació de Barcelona · accelerated welcome classes ↗
Sources reviewed on 28.10.2026. Consolidated texts and government reference pages are for information only: applying the law depends on official publications, amendments and the specific circumstances. Reviewed by lawyer Francisco Romero Jiménez (ICAB 33641) on 28.10.2026.
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The navigator helps you gather topics for an individual review. It does not determine your right to a residence permit and does not submit an application.
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Prefer to do it yourself? Step-by-step guides: residence permit in Barcelona: from empadronamiento to TIE and route cards by residence ground.
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ReloVictory · Sources reviewed 28.10.2026 · Not a substitute for individual legal advice.