Applying to an international school in Madrid requires planning, mostly because the best campuses run multi-year waitlists for popular year groups. Madrid hosts more than 60 international and bilingual schools across the city and the surrounding municipalities of Pozuelo, Aravaca, Las Rozas and La Moraleja. Curricula range from the IB Diploma and British IGCSE / A-Level to the American AP and the dual Spanish-International programmes. This 2026 admissions guide walks expat families through the calendar, documents and fee structures.
Madrid admissions calendar
Most Madrid international schools run a September-to-June academic year aligned with the Spanish school calendar.
- October to December: Applications open for the following September intake at premium schools.
- January to March: Assessment days, family interviews and language placement.
- March to May: First-round offers and deposits.
- June to August: Late rolling intakes for relocations confirmed close to the summer.
Premium IB and British schools (Hastings School, Brains International, Runnymede College) accept applications up to two years ahead of the desired start date for popular year groups like 1° de Primaria and Year 7.
Documents you will need
- Last two years of school reports (translated into Spanish or English).
- Standardised test results where requested (CAT4, MAP).
- NIE or passport copies for the child and at least one parent.
- Empadronamiento (residence certificate) confirming a Madrid address — required for final enrolment.
- Birth certificate and immunisation records.
- Application fee (typically EUR 100 to 350) at submission.
Top international schools in Madrid
Brains International School La Moraleja
An established bilingual British and IB school in La Moraleja, popular with diplomatic families and large multinationals' executives. Open the Brains International La Moraleja profile on ISA.
Hastings School
British curriculum from age 3 to 18 across three campuses, with strong IGCSE and A-Level results and a long-standing reputation among English-speaking families. View the Hastings School profile on ISA.
Colegio Internacional Aravaca
An IB World School in Aravaca offering PYP, MYP and DP, with a bilingual Spanish-English programme. See the Colegio Internacional Aravaca profile on ISA.
The Global College
An innovative IB Diploma school for students aged 15 to 18, with a flexible academic calendar and project-based pedagogy. Read The Global College profile on ISA.
Lighthouse American School
An American-curriculum school in central Madrid offering AP courses and a US High School Diploma. Check the Lighthouse American School profile on ISA.
Tuition and fees in Madrid (2026)
- Application fee: EUR 100 to 350.
- Enrolment / matricula: EUR 1,500 to 5,000 one-time.
- Annual primary tuition: EUR 8,500 to 16,500 at mid-tier bilingual schools, EUR 17,000 to 22,000 at premium British and IB schools.
- IB Diploma (Years 12 to 13): EUR 22,000 to 30,000 per year.
- Lunch and bus: EUR 1,500 to 3,500 per year combined.
- Uniform and supplies: EUR 200 to 500 per year.
Language support and entry assessments
Most Madrid international schools deliver English-medium instruction with structured Spanish as a Foreign Language for non-native speakers. Bilingual schools split instruction roughly 60% English / 40% Spanish in primary, shifting to 70/30 in secondary. Entry assessments from Year 2 onwards include a short reading, writing and maths test, plus a family interview. Schools running the IB usually require a baseline of English fluency by Year 6, and offer scaffolded support for arriving students.
Practical tips for relocating families
- Apply to two or three schools in parallel — Madrid offers move at different speeds.
- Choose by neighbourhood — Pozuelo, La Moraleja and Aravaca are family-friendly with strong school clusters; central Madrid is convenient for commuting executives.
- Plan empadronamiento early — most schools require it before final enrolment, and it can take 2-4 weeks to issue.
- Negotiate sibling discounts — most Madrid international schools offer 5-15% off for second and third children.
- Confirm bus routes — Madrid school transport networks vary widely, especially across the M-30 ring.
Compare Madrid schools on ISA
For a verified ranking with profiles, fees and reviews, see Top international schools in Madrid on ISA.
FAQs
How early should we apply to a Madrid international school?
Aim for 9 to 12 months ahead of your start date. Premium IB and British schools accept applications from October for the following September; popular years can have multi-year waitlists.
Are international schools in Madrid bilingual?
Most are bilingual to some degree. Premium British and IB schools tend to be majority-English with structured Spanish, while bilingual schools split instruction roughly 60-40 between the two languages.
Can my child enter a Madrid international school without speaking Spanish?
Yes. Most schools offer Spanish as a Foreign Language for arriving children with no prior exposure. From Year 5 onwards a baseline of Spanish accelerates social integration even if it is not required for academic placement.