Briefly about the main thing:

Moving to another country for permanent residence is a serious step and quite a stressful period for the whole family, and moving with children is especially important. Parents most often worry most not about themselves, but about their children: how quickly the child will be able to adapt to a new unusual environment. Separation from friends, studying at an unfamiliar school in a new team, a language barrier, getting used to new living conditions – all this takes time to get used to. But in reality the situation is not as complicated as it might seem at first when it comes to Spain.

Moving to Spain with children involves going through a large number of administrative procedures. But bureaucratic difficulties are smoothed over by the general goodwill and friendliness of the Spaniards, the tolerance of local residents towards foreigners, as well as the high proportion of foreigners in the total population, which makes it possible not to feel like an outsider. A favorable climate, accessible medicine, a high level of safety, good infrastructure, the popularity of sports and ample opportunities for organizing interesting leisure and recreation only add to the advantages. Let’s consider the features of moving to Spain with children in 2026, so that everything goes quickly, smoothly and without surprises.

Legalization methods: types of residence permits for families

In order to legally reside in Spain, you must have a residence permit – autorización de residencia. There are several types of residence permits suitable for moving to Spain with children. Together with the main applicant, documents are drawn up for his spouse and children (minors or adults, but still dependent).

Methods of legalization when moving to Spain with children:

• By financial independence. This method assumes that the family has housing in Spain (own or rented for a long time), and the main applicant is able to confirm a source of permanent, stable and legal income outside of Spain, which is enough for all family members. The required amount is calculated from the IPREM indicator, which in 2026 is 600 € per month. The main applicant must receive 400% of the IPREM and each additional family member must receive 100% of the IPREM. The initial residence permit is issued for one year, the required amount must be fully deposited in advance in a bank account (preferably opened in a Spanish bank or some European one). Also, a residence permit without the right to work requires private health insurance with full coverage.
• Study visa. In the case of higher education in Spanish universities, family members of the student can apply for the appropriate visas. A residence permit for family members of a student does not provide the right to work. In the case of a study visa, the applicant is subject to much more lenient economic requirements: 100% IPREM for the main applicant, 75% IPREM for the second family member, 50% IPREM for the third family member and subsequent ones.
• Digital Nomad Visa. Spain is seeking to attract as many young foreign professionals as possible, giving them and their families the opportunity to live on its territory while earning an income remotely. A digital nomad can request a residence permit for his family members – spouse, children and parents. In the case of adult children, it will be necessary to confirm their economic dependence on the parent. In the case of a digital nomad visa, the required income level is calculated from another indicator – SMI, which in 2026 is 1.221 € per month. The main applicant must account for 200% of the SMI, the second family member – 75% of the SMI, and the third and subsequent family members – 25% of the SMI.
• Visa for start-ups and highly qualified specialists. Spain has abolished golden visas for the purchase of real estate and investment – investor visas. However, three narrower types of golden visas continue to operate – an entrepreneur visa for launching an innovative start-up project in Spain, a highly qualified specialist visa and a visa for research activities. All three visas allow residence permits to be requested for members of the applicant’s family.

Education and placement of a child in school in Spain

School system in Spain has three levels:

• Preschool education – Educación Infantil. It is not mandatory, the choice is left to the parents. Pre-school education includes kindergartens (Escuela Infantil) for children from 0 to 3 years old and college preparatory classes (Aula Infantil) for children from 3 to 6 years old.
• Compulsory general education – Educación Secundaria Obligatoria (ESO). It starts at the age of 6 and includes two large stages – junior school (Educación primaria) for children from 6 to 12 years old and secondary school (Educación secundaria) for children from 12 to 16 years old.
• Specialized general education – Bachillerato Unificado y Polivalente (BUP). These are the last two classes of school with a certain specialization, which are not compulsory.

The final exams at the end of Bachillerato also serve as entrance exams to universities. It is also possible to obtain secondary vocational education in Spain: after graduating from ESO, a child can go not to high school, but to enter a vocational training center, after successful completion of which the doors of universities will also be open to him.

As for the types of schools, in Spain there are three:

• Public free school – Colegio publico. Teaching is conducted in Spanish, but in some regions some subjects or even most subjects may be taught in the local language (Catalonia, Valencian Community, Basque Country, Galicia).
• Semi-public school – Colegio concertado. Partially financed by the Catholic Church and local authorities. It features a more advanced and expanded program, in-depth study of subjects, including foreign languages. Tuition costs range from 60 to 500 € per month.
• Private school – Colegio privado. Tuition fees at a private or international private school range from 500 to 1,500 € per month. As a rule, such educational institutions work with several educational programs at once (Spanish, IB, British, French, American, etc.), which allows graduates to receive two diplomas at once and freely enter the world’s leading universities.

Spanish law requires children to be sent to school from the age of 6. Because Since school education is compulsory, a foreign child will be enrolled even if the family is in the country illegally. Children whose parents obtain a residence permit directly in Spain (by settlement, through family reunification, by temporary protection) can choose any type of school. However, to obtain a residence permit for a child through the consulate on one of the above grounds, only two options are suitable: a semi-public school or a private/private international school. The package of documents for obtaining a residence permit must include confirmation of a specific school in Spain about its readiness to enroll the child in the course.

Spain’s most prestigious private schools have waiting lists. It may be much more difficult to enroll in senior courses than in elementary courses. The older the child, the more entrance tests and exams he will have to pass. As a rule, enrollment requires a personal visit of parents and child to the school. In exceptional cases, a preliminary interview may be conducted online, but in this case the school reserves the right to require re-taking the exams upon the child’s arrival before the start of the school year to ensure that the results and level of preparation meet all requirements.

The list of documents for enrolling a child in a Spanish school may vary depending on the region and educational center. But, as a rule, the list of basic documents includes: registration certificate, child’s passport and/or TIE resident card, birth certificate, certificate from the previous place of study, vaccination certificate.

Adaptation of a foreign child to a Spanish school, sports and entertainment

Most public and semi-public schools in Spain have a special adaptation program for foreign children, which allows them to smoothly integrate into the general flow. On average, a child under the age of 10–11 years needs from 3 to 6 months to get used to a new environment and language. Tutoring can speed up this process. The older the child, the more difficult adaptation is, because… The complexities of the educational program are accompanied by problems of adolescence. And in this case, a tutor no longer becomes desirable, but mandatory.

In addition, sports clubs and all kinds of extracurricular activities and events can be of great help. In big cities there will be no problems with choosing clubs. In small towns and villages, it is more difficult to organize a child’s leisure time, but there is still plenty to choose from: drawing, swimming, team sports, sailing, martial arts, dancing, etc. As soon as the child makes new friends, Spanish will begin to improve rapidly, and the stress of moving will gradually disappear.

If we talk about private schools, a good level of English in most cases will minimize the problems of the adaptation period. In English and American international schools, teaching is conducted primarily in English, and Spanish is taught as a foreign language. Private schools usually have a large program of extracurricular activities. In addition to traditional sports sections, a child can attend scientific sections, rhetoric classes, performing arts, as well as additional Spanish language courses, including intensive ones.

Pros of moving to Spain with children

Any country has its pros and cons for moving with children. Moving to a new place of residence with a child always requires a balanced analysis: not only economic factors are important, but also the quality of life and the very environment in which he will grow up. In this context, Spain has for many years occupied a stable leading position among European countries that are the most comfortable for family life.

Perhaps, speaking about the advantages of Spain, the climatic factor should be put in first place. The Mediterranean climate with mild winters, long warm off-seasons and bright hot summers is ideal for health. And the point is not only the absence of a noticeable temperature difference in different seasons, but also the opportunity to play sports all year round and spend a lot of time outdoors. As a result, stronger immunity and lower stress levels. We cannot fail to mention the quality of food. The Mediterranean diet is rightfully considered one of the healthiest in the world. And Spain boasts fresh vegetables, fruits, olive oil, fish and seafood that are available all year round. Every year, “eco” fairs and markets where you can buy fresh seasonal products from local farms are gaining popularity. And chain supermarkets also have sections for products from local producers. Therefore, eating tasty and healthy food in Spain is not difficult.

The Spanish healthcare system is also considered one of the most efficient in Europe. The public medical sector is strengthened by a network of private hospitals and clinics. Prices for private health insurance are affordable for most families, and private medicine itself is characterized by short waiting times and a high level of service. For families with children, this creates a sense of security and predictability when it comes to health.

Another significant factor is safety. Spain has traditionally been one of the countries with low crime rates by European standards. Cultural characteristics should also be noted. Spanish society as a whole is family-oriented, close connections between different generations, and children are a full part of social life. This is manifested in the organization of city events, holidays and festivals, the equipment of shopping and entertainment complexes, and the work of municipal sports centers. And finally, an important factor is the availability and variety of leisure activities. The sea, mountains, natural parks, theme centers, sports sections – all this is accessible, will not let your child get bored, will expand his range of interests and will allow him to find new friends.

Moving to Spain with children: which city to choose?

Not only the level of everyday comfort, but also the long-term prospects of the whole family largely depends on the right choice of city. In Spain, with its regional diversity, this choice takes on particular significance: differences between autonomous communities relate not only to climate and cost of living, but also to language, educational system, infrastructure and even the rhythm of life. There are no bad or good cities to live in in Spain, but there are cities that are suitable or not suitable for the circumstances and goals of a particular family. It is always easier to move on the recommendation of relatives or friends already living in the country who are ready to help with accommodation and adaptation. However, when choosing a city on their own, families with children are faced with the need for a comprehensive analysis of several factors at once.

The first thing to consider is the real estate market. The range of housing prices in Spain is significant: from relatively affordable offers in small towns and inland provinces to exorbitantly high prices in Madrid or Barcelona, ​​as well as resort towns on the coast. It is important to evaluate not only the cost of purchasing or renting, but also the quality of the housing stock and the availability of child care and medical facilities. Infrastructure is no less important: public transport, sports centers, parks, etc. Particular attention should be paid to the language factor. We mentioned above that in a number of regions, in addition to Spanish, regional languages ​​are actively used. This greatly influences the educational process, because Some subjects are taught in the regional language. The choice of schools is another important criterion. The presence of a suitable school, taking into account the language of instruction, academic level and teaching methods, often becomes a determining factor when choosing a region or even a city. And if you plan your life several years in advance, then it makes sense to take into account the proximity to universities. Thus, the choice of a city in Spain for a family with children should satisfy both current needs and medium- and long-term goals.

The most popular destinations for moving to Spain with children:

• Barcelona is one of the most popular cities for family relocation. There is a wide range of training centers of all types, from public schools to prestigious international colleges, as well as modern universities and the best business schools in Spain. However, an important feature of the region is the active use of the Catalan language not only in everyday life, but also in the educational system, which will become an additional burden, and this is worth taking into account. At the same time, the quality of infrastructure, a variety of cultural events, a large number of clubs and sections contribute to the active and versatile development of the child. A significant limiting factor that cannot be ignored is high real estate prices. The cost of both renting and purchasing housing in Barcelona is one of the highest in the country and requires a certain level of income.
• Madrid is the capital of Spain and a large metropolis with a well-organized infrastructure, convenient transport system and a wide range of educational institutions, including the country’s leading universities. The climate here is more continental compared to coastal regions: very hot summers and cool winters without the moderating influence of the sea. In addition, the geographical location away from the coast may be perceived as a disadvantage for those who consider proximity to the sea and beaches as a significant factor. The real estate market in Madrid is also characterized by high prices, comparable to Barcelona and requires a corresponding level of income. At the same time, the city offers a well-thought-out infrastructure and a wide selection of schools and universities. In addition, Madrid is conveniently located almost in the very center of the country, and a network of high-speed trains allows you to reach major cities and the coast in two to three hours.
• Valencia is the country’s third largest city and has consistently ranked high in international quality of life rankings for expats in recent years. Not as prestigious as Madrid or Barcelona, ​​it nevertheless offers the perfect balance between cost of living and level of comfort. Property here is more affordable, making Valencia attractive to families on a budget. At the same time, the city has a developed infrastructure, a good transport system and a sufficient selection of schools of various types. An additional advantage is the mild climate and proximity to the sea, as well as the presence of its own international airport. Like Catalonia, there is also a regional language (Valencian), but its use in everyday life is less prominent. However, it plays a big role in the educational process, and this must be taken into account.
• The Costa del Sol, and especially cities such as Malaga and Marbella, has become one of the most popular destinations for expats in recent years. This is a modern, actively developing region, oriented towards foreigners and positioning itself in recent years as a technological and business center. English here effectively functions as a second language, which makes adaptation much easier for foreign families. There is a wide selection of high-level international schools working on British and other educational programs. In addition to its infrastructure, the Costa del Sol is famous for its mild climate and high quality of life. At the same time, unlike the largest metropolitan areas, you can find more affordable housing options in small towns and new areas.
• Costa Blanca, including Alicante, Altea and the southern coast, represents one of the best options for family relocations. The province of Alicante is often seen as a more budget-friendly alternative to the Costa del Sol and Valencia. The Costa Blanca cannot be compared with Madrid or Barcelona, ​​because… it is a resort area with appropriate infrastructure and a special rhythm of life. However, it is here that relatively affordable real estate prices have remained. The region offers a wide range of schools, from public to international, and there is a large university in the provincial capital, Alicante. An additional advantage is the favorable climate, as well as a large percentage of foreigners, i.e. the child will not find himself in a Spanish, but rather an international environment.
• The north of Spain, primarily Galicia and Asturias, is a choice in favor of a calmer and more measured life, away from the congested tourist areas of the Mediterranean and megacities. If environmental quality and ecology are important, then the northern regions are worth paying attention to first. The north is distinguished by its rich nature, mild climate without sweltering heat and ample opportunities for active recreation and sports. For children, this means access to varied and interesting leisure activities throughout the year. In addition, the north of Spain demonstrates more efficient municipal services and less strain on infrastructure, including education and health care. However, one must also take into account the more limited choice of international schools and the lack of an international environment compared to the coast.

The information does not constitute legal or tax advice. This is not a public offer.