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How to Enrol in a Spanish School
To apply for a school place in Spain, you typically need to visit the school in person with the following documents. Requirements vary slightly by school and region, so always confirm with the school directly.
Passport or National ID (parent & child)
Original and a photocopy of each.
Child's Birth Certificate
Translated into Spanish if issued abroad; apostilled if required.
Padrón Municipal
Certificate of registration at your local town hall (ayuntamiento).
NIE / Residency Card
The parent's foreigner ID number (NIE) or TIE residency card.
Vaccination Record
Up-to-date vaccine card; some schools may require it officially stamped.
Previous School Records
Report cards / transcripts from the last school, translated if not in Spanish.
Step-by-step
- 1Obtain your NIE and register on the padrón at your local town hall as early as possible.
- 2Collect and translate the required documents (birth certificate, previous school records).
- 3Identify schools in your catchment area — public schools prioritise pupils living nearby.
- 4Visit the school in person with your documents during the enrolment window (usually March–May).
- 5Submit the application form (solicitud de plaza) and keep a stamped copy of your submission.
- 6If a place is unavailable, ask to be placed on the waiting list and apply to concertado/private alternatives.