Relocating to Barcelona with Children: 10 things you should know about schools in advance
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Relocating to another country is always about starting a new life. But when you have children, the decision becomes much deeper: you need to rebuild not only your daily routine, but the entire system from schooling to social environment.
Barcelona is considered one of the best cities in Europe for raising children. However, behind this comfort lies a system that requires careful preparation in advance.
We have compiled the key things you should know before moving, based on the real experiences of families already living here.
School is just as important as the neighborhood and the property
When relocating with children, school selection should not be treated separately. It is just as important as choosing the neighborhood and the property itself.
In most cases, you will need to focus on nearby schools due to the allocation system and daily logistics.
If you have specific preferences regarding a school or type of education, it is essential to factor this in at the same level as location from the very beginning.
School admission is a selection process, not a formality
The admission process differs from what many families are used to. It typically includes:
• identifying schools available based on your registered address (empadronamiento)
• booking visits (separately for each school)
• attending open days
• creating a list of preferences
• submitting it through the public system
After that, placement is assigned based on your priorities and availability of spots.
If you are not accepted into your first choice, the system considers your second, third, and subsequent options.
Even your “local” school is not guaranteed
Living near a school does not guarantee admission. The allocation process takes into account:
• siblings already enrolled
• social criteria
• other priority factors
As a result, many families are assigned to their second or third choice.
Deadlines are critical
Applications are typically submitted in spring (usually until April). If you relocate mid-year, your options become very limited – most good schools are already full.
The “we’ll figure it out later” approach does not work when it comes to schooling.
Schools in Barcelona are small and this affects competition
Another important aspect is that most schools are relatively small, often with only one class per grade and a limited number of places.
As a result, even standard schools can be highly competitive. Large schools, in the traditional sense, are quite rare.
Catalan is the main language of education
Many families expect education to be in Spanish. In reality, the primary language of instruction is Catalan.
This applies to:
• public schools
• concertado schools (privately managed but state-funded)
• and even some private institutions
Spanish is often taught as a second language. What does this mean for your child?
• the first months may be challenging
• adaptation will be required
• however, children usually integrate into the environment quite quickly
International schools: comfort vs integration
International schools offer:
• education in English
• smoother adaptation
• a familiar system
However, there is a trade-off: children often graduate with strong English but weaker Spanish, as Spanish is usually taught as a subject rather than used as the primary language.
How to approach the decision:
• if you plan a future outside Spain, this is a strong option
• if your goal is integration into the local environment, Spanish schools may be more suitable
Private schools: more flexibility, higher requirements
Private schools offer greater flexibility, including less dependence on registered address and more flexible timelines. However, they typically require interviews and language assessments.
If a child does not meet the required level:
• additional classes may be assigned
• the school may support adaptation over several months
Religious component as part of the system
One aspect that often surprises families is the presence of a religious component in many schools.
This can range from:
• a separate subject
• to a more integrated part of school culture
In religious schools, the level of involvement may be significantly higher.
Vaccination is mandatory
To enroll in a school, you will need:
• proof of residence (empadronamiento)
• registration in the healthcare system
• vaccination records
Important: without mandatory vaccinations, a child will not be admitted.
Neighborhood choice is about more than housing
When choosing an area, it is important to consider:
• nearby schools
• infrastructure
• logistics
• overall environment
An important point: almost every district offers a range of school types from public to private. Even in less “popular” areas, it is possible to find strong educational options.
