Education in Spain - State schools

Registering for a state school in Spain

When you arrive in Spain you may be looking to register your children into a Spanish state school. This can be a complex process but once you accept the Spanish way of doing things, you should be fine. These instructions were given to us by an English resident who moved to Fuengirola and placed his two children in the local school.

1. The first visit was to the Culture House where a form was collected in order to register the children. Take with you, your passport, the child's passport and proof of where you are living (such as a rental contract).
    

2. Take your completed form to the Town Hall, Estadistica Office. The fees were 2.10 euros per child.
    

3. Return to the Town Hall the next day to collect the forms which have now been stamped.
    

4. Take the forms back to the Culture House where they keep the forms and give you a list of your nearest schools.
    

5. You apply for a place at your nearest school and when you go to the school it will pay you to take a translator.

When you go to the school, take with you:

1. Copy of birth certificate for the child
2. Copy of passport for the child
3. Copy of parents passports
4. 2 passport photographs
5. Filled in application form

The school will then give you a list of the required text books and equipment that you will need to purchase for your child. The books will cost around 150 euros per child.