Schools in Madrid for Expats — Public, Concertado & Private

Madrid has a three-track school system that often surprises newcomers. There are fully public schools (público), state-subsidised semi-private schools (concertado) and fully private schools (privado). Many privado schools are international-curriculum: British, American, French (AEFE), German and IB. The Madrid region also runs an extensive bilingual programme in many public and concertado schools. This guide explains how to choose between them.

How the Madrid school system works

Public (público) schools are free for residents and are assigned partly by zone and a points system that includes proximity, siblings and other criteria. Concertado schools are partly state-funded and partly fee-paying; many are religious foundations and many participate in the regional bilingual programme. Privado schools are fully fee-paying and include most international-curriculum schools.

The Comunidad de Madrid runs a significant bilingual education programme in many público and concertado schools, where a portion of subjects are delivered in English. Coverage varies by district and individual school — confirm the current bilingual status with each school directly.

Public, concertado and international options

Público — fully state-funded, free for residents, admission by zone and a points-based scheme.
Concertado — semi-private, partly state-subsidised, charges 'voluntary' fees plus extras; often religious; often bilingual.
Privado (Spanish curriculum) — fully fee-paying schools following the Spanish national curriculum.
International schools — British, American, French (Lycée Français de Madrid), German (DS Madrid), Italian, Swedish and others.
IB World Schools — both Spanish and international schools offering the IB Diploma Programme.

Tuition, fees and total cost

Público is free for residents; families typically still pay for books, uniforms (where applicable), comedor (lunch), extracurriculars and trips. Concertado fees are nominally voluntary but in practice can range from a few hundred to several thousand euros per year. Privado Spanish-curriculum schools commonly fall in a broad band from roughly €6,000 to €15,000+ per year. International schools sit higher, often €12,000 – €25,000+ per year, with the most established at the top of that range.

Beyond tuition, budget for matrícula (registration), comedor, transport, uniforms and trips. Confirm current published fees and any compulsory extras with the admissions office of each school.

Admissions and what to plan

Público and concertado admissions follow a regional calendar — typically a main application window in spring for the following September, with a points-based allocation. Out-of-cycle and mid-year admissions go through the Comunidad de Madrid's placement process and depend on availability.

International and private schools run their own admissions cycles, often opening registration well in advance of popular entry points. Most ask for school reports from the past 2–3 years and may require an entry assessment. Confirm current Spanish-language requirements — some international schools admit non-Spanish speakers easily, others expect a baseline.

How to plan school enrolment alongside the move

For Madrid, the practical sequence below works well: most international families underestimate how early school admissions need to start. Sought-after curricula and year groups can be full 6–12 months ahead, and assessment slots may require the child to be physically present. Aligning your visa timeline, housing search and school applications is the single biggest planning lever for families.

Start admissions outreach 6–12 months before your target start date.
Confirm catchment rules — some schools admit by neighbourhood, others by waitlist.
Budget for one-time fees: registration, capital levy, deposit, uniform and transport.

Planning a family move to Madrid?

Talk to a relocation coordinator about how Madrid's three school tracks map to neighbourhoods and your move date.

Speak With an Advisor

Frequently asked questions

Are público schools really free?

Yes for residents — there is no tuition. Families still typically pay for books, lunches, uniforms (where required), extracurriculars and trips.

What is a concertado school?

A school that is partly state-funded and partly fee-paying. Many are religious foundations and many participate in the regional bilingual programme. 'Voluntary' fees can range from a few hundred to several thousand euros per year — confirm with each school.

How does the bilingual programme work?

The Comunidad de Madrid funds a bilingual programme in many público and concertado schools where a portion of subjects are taught in English. Coverage and quality vary; confirm current bilingual status with each school.

What does an international school cost in Madrid?

Annual tuition at international schools commonly falls in a roughly €12,000 to €25,000+ per year band, with the most established at the upper end. Always confirm the current published fee with each school's admissions office.

When should we apply?

For público and concertado, follow the regional spring admissions window. For private and international schools, apply as early as possible — popular schools have waiting lists at common entry points.

Will my child need Spanish on arrival?

Some international schools admit non-Spanish speakers comfortably; público and concertado schools generally expect Spanish, though support is sometimes available. Confirm with each school.

Related guides

School curricula, admissions windows, fee bands and waiting-list dynamics change every year. Confirm current openings, fees and entry requirements directly with each school's admissions office before relying on any planning details.