Over 300 families from 33 different countries have already made that call. If you’re planning to move to Spain with children, there’s a good chance someone in Benalmádena, Marbella or Fuengirola is a few months ahead of you, navigating the same questions about schools, NIE numbers, healthcare cards and whether the kids will actually settle.
At The Benalmádena International College, we’ve spent nearly 30 years receiving families at every stage of that process — from those who had a relocation plan mapped out a year in advance to those who booked a school visit three days before term started. This guide covers the main decisions your family will face, with practical information on where to live, how to choose the right school, what residency actually involves and what daily life looks like once you arrive.
Choosing Where to Settle in Spain as a Family
Spain is large enough that “moving to Spain” can mean very different things depending on where you land. The right region depends on school availability, cost of living, the local expat community and how much access to English-speaking services matters in the early months.
The Costa del Sol: Why Most British and Northern European Families Land Here
Málaga province is the destination that most British families with children are choosing right now, and it’s not hard to see why. For a detailed breakdown of specific towns and neighbourhoods, our guide to the best places to live on the Costa del Sol for expat families covers Benalmádena, Mijas Costa, Estepona and Fuengirola in detail.
The Costa del Sol combines a large English-speaking community, a high concentration of international schools, good transport links and a Mediterranean climate with over 300 days of sun per year. Housing costs are noticeably lower than Madrid or Barcelona. According to the OECD International Migration Outlook 2024, Spain received over 324,000 new long-term immigrants in 2022 — a 27% increase on the previous year — with Andalusia among the most active receiving regions (external link, opens in new tab).
Madrid and Barcelona: Urban Options with Strong School Networks
Madrid offers excellent infrastructure, a wide range of international schools and a large professional expat community. Barcelona has similar advantages. Both are significantly more expensive for housing than the Costa del Sol.
A key practical note for families considering Barcelona and Catalonia: public and state-subsidised schools there operate primarily in Catalan rather than Spanish. Families should factor this into their school planning alongside general language considerations.
Other Family-Friendly Regions
Valencia ranks well for quality of life and has growing expat infrastructure. Alicante and the Costa Blanca have a high concentration of British residents and good school options. The Canary Islands, particularly Tenerife, attract families who prioritise year-round warmth and frequent UK flight connections.
Cost of Living: What to Budget For
Housing costs vary significantly by region. A three-bedroom apartment in Benalmádena costs a fraction of an equivalent property in central Madrid. Day-to-day costs — food, transport, utilities — are broadly lower across Andalusia than in the major cities. International school fees are the most significant budget variable: they can range from under €4,000 to over €9,000 per year depending on the year group and school. Budgeting for these before committing to a specific area will save a lot of recalculation later.
Education Options for Expat Children in Spain
This is the decision most families spend the most time on, and it has a reasonably clear answer for most expat households. The type of school that will work depends on how long you plan to stay, whether your child already speaks Spanish, and what academic pathway matters long-term.
The Spanish State System: Free, But Language-Intensive
Spanish state schools are free and compulsory from age 6 to 16, with most families enrolling children from age 3 in the non-compulsory first cycle (Educación Infantil). The curriculum is well-structured, and Spain scores above the OECD average in reading literacy, mathematics and sciences.
The challenge for newly arrived children is the language. Public schools teach primarily in Spanish, so a child arriving with no prior Spanish will spend much of their first year adapting linguistically before engaging fully with the curriculum. Some children manage this remarkably quickly; others find it hard. For families planning a long-term or permanent move, the state system can produce excellent integration results over time. For families expecting to be in Spain for two to five years, or whose children will eventually sit UK university applications, an international school is usually the more practical option.
International and Private Schools: Continuity and Flexibility
International schools teach primarily in English, use curricula that most expat children already know and offer more flexible mid-year admissions — important for families relocating outside the September window.
The British curriculum at The BIC uses the Pearson Edexcel framework and is one of the most widely chosen options among expat families on the Costa del Sol, partly because of the size of the local British community and partly because it provides direct academic continuity for children who may return to the UK for university. For a fuller comparison of the British and Spanish systems, our article on the British education system on the Costa del Sol covers the key differences parents need to understand.
Research consistently shows measurable academic and social benefits for children who develop strong bilingual skills. For more on this, see our post on the benefits of bilingual education.
From Preschool to Sixth Form: What The BIC Covers
The BIC offers a continuous British curriculum pathway from Preschool through Primary and Secondary to Sixth Form (A Levels and BTEC). Children who join at age three can follow an uninterrupted pathway all the way through to university applications without ever switching academic systems. That continuity matters for families who want to avoid mid-journey disruption.
With students from over 33 nationalities, no child arrives as the only foreigner in the room. Teaching is in English throughout, with structured Spanish language sessions built into every year group. For families with children in the early years, our post on EYFS and Primary methodology at The BIC explains how we approach learning at that stage.
For families considering the admissions process, our step-by-step admissions guide walks through exactly what to expect and what documents you’ll need.
Enrolling in Public Schools: The Practical Requirements
For state schools, the non-negotiable document is the padrón municipal — the certificate from your local town hall confirming you are registered as a resident at your address. School places are assigned largely by catchment zone. You’ll also need your child’s previous academic records and your NIE number (covered in the next section). The spring admissions window is the standard period for public and state-subsidised schools, though some accept applications mid-year in exceptional circumstances.
Residency and Legal Requirements: Doing Things in the Right Order
The residency process is more manageable than most people expect, but sequencing matters. Getting documents out of order costs weeks.
The NIE: Your First Step in Spain
The NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) is your Spanish tax identification number. You need it for almost everything: opening a bank account, signing a lease, registering children at school, enrolling with a health centre and applying for residency. It is not a residency permit and does not expire.
We’ve published a step-by-step guide to getting your NIE in Spain covering the appointment process, which documents to bring and the delays worth knowing about in advance.
EU Citizens: Registration Rather Than Visa
EU citizens do not need a visa to move to Spain. The process is registration: you obtain an EU resident’s certificate from the local Foreigners’ Office or police station, which confers the right to live and work in Spain indefinitely.
You’ll need a valid EU passport, proof of employment or sufficient financial means (approximately €7,200 per year for the main applicant, plus around €5,400 per dependent family member), and either social security coverage in Spain or valid private health insurance.
UK and Non-EU Citizens: What Has Changed Since Brexit
British nationals are no longer treated as EU citizens. Post-Brexit, UK families moving to Spain need a long-term residency visa before arrival. The most commonly used options are the Non-Lucrative Visa (for those without active employment in Spain, requiring passive income and private health insurance), and work permits for those with a Spanish employer. The UK Government’s FCDO guidance on living in Spain provides updated practical information on the current process for British nationals (external link, opens in new tab).
Irish passport holders retain full EU citizen status and follow the registration route above — a significant practical difference for families where one partner holds an Irish passport and the other a British one.
Recent legislative reforms have extended the definition of dependent family members to include children up to age 26 (previously 21), which affects how non-EU spouses and older children are included in family residency applications.
Children’s Paperwork: Vaccinations and Health Certificates
Spain has its own childhood vaccination schedule, which differs slightly from the UK’s. Before enrolling children in any school, vaccination records will be required. Most UK immunisation schedules are compatible with Spanish requirements, but it’s worth checking specifics with your local health centre once you’re registered. Some vaccines recommended in Spain — including meningococcal B — are not standard in UK NHS schedules and may need to be arranged privately.
Healthcare for Expat Families in Spain
Spain’s national health system (Sistema Nacional de Salud, or SNS) is one of the most complete public health systems in Europe. The WHO European Health Observatory’s Spain Health System Summary 2024 describes the SNS as providing virtually universal coverage, with care free at the point of delivery (external link, opens in new tab). Spain also has the highest life expectancy among EU countries.
Accessing the Public System
As a registered resident, you are entitled to use the SNS. Register with your local health centre (centro de salud) — they will assign a family doctor (médico de cabecera) and issue a health card for each family member. This card is what you present at appointments and at hospital.
Waiting times for non-emergency specialist referrals can be long in some regions. For routine GP visits and emergency care, the system works efficiently. For planned procedures or faster specialist access, many families add private insurance on top of the public system rather than replacing it.
Private Health Insurance
Private health cover in Spain costs significantly less than in the UK. A family policy from an established insurer — Adeslas, Sanitas, Asisa — typically runs between €100 and €300 per month depending on age, the number of people covered and the level of cover chosen. This usually provides meaningfully faster access to specialists and a wider choice of facilities.
Non-EU families on visa-based residency must hold private health insurance as a mandatory visa condition. EU residents have no legal obligation to hold private cover but many choose to for practical reasons.
Paediatric Care and Emergencies
Public hospitals in Málaga province have dedicated paediatric departments. Private paediatric clinics are also well established across the Costa del Sol. For emergencies, the national number is 112, connecting to ambulance, fire and police services with English-speaking operators available.
Moving to Spain with a Car: The Key Points
Importing a vehicle from the UK involves a Registration Tax (Impuesto de Matriculación), CO2-related charges in some cases and a Certificate of Conformity confirming the vehicle meets EU standards. Original registration documents and proof of residency are required.
Vehicle registration goes through the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico), Spain’s equivalent of the DVLA (external link, opens in new tab). After registration, the vehicle receives Spanish plates and Spanish insurance — mandatory, with minimum coverage requirements set by law.
EU citizens can use their existing EU driving licence in Spain indefinitely. British licence holders must exchange their UK licence for a Spanish one after six months of residency. This is an administrative swap under a bilateral agreement, not a re-test, but it requires an appointment with the DGT and can involve waiting times.
Speed limits: 30–50 km/h in urban areas depending on road type, 90 km/h on non-urban single carriageways, 120 km/h on motorways. Child restraint laws are strictly enforced — the correct car seat for a child’s height and weight is a legal requirement, not a recommendation.
Family Life and Settling In: What Actually Changes
Daily Routines That Will Catch You Off Guard
Spanish daily rhythms are different enough to create friction in the first few months. Lunch is the main meal of the day, typically between 2pm and 3pm. Dinner rarely starts before 9pm, and children used to a 5:30pm mealtime will need adjustment time.
Many smaller businesses still close in the afternoon. Banks and public offices typically close by 2pm. School schedules vary: The BIC follows a schedule that families from UK-style systems will recognise, while public Spanish schools often use a split-day model with a long midday break.
Supporting Your Children Through the Change
Children adapt faster than most parents expect, particularly at primary age, but that doesn’t mean the first term is without friction. New friendships, new teachers, new routines — all of this takes time even in a school where instruction is in familiar English.
The extracurricular activities at The BIC — covering sports, arts, language clubs and more — are one of the most practical tools for helping children settle. Shared activities create common ground with classmates faster than classroom time alone.
Getting children involved with Spanish-speaking peers outside school also accelerates language progress in a way that formal lessons alone don’t.
Building a Community Network
Most expat families on the Costa del Sol find their first community connections through the school. In the international school context on the Costa del Sol, the school functions as social infrastructure for the whole family during the first year. Local expat groups, community sports clubs and neighbourhood associations are worth finding in the first few months.
Financial Planning for the Move
Opening a Spanish Bank Account
A bank account should be one of the first steps once you have your NIE. Without one, you can’t set up direct debits, pay rent by bank transfer or manage utility contracts. Major Spanish banks — Santander, BBVA, Sabadell, CaixaBank — all have English-language services. Digital alternatives like Wise or Revolut can bridge the gap in the early weeks before a full local account is open.
Most banks require: a valid passport, NIE, proof of address (rental contract or padrón certificate) and sometimes a reference from your existing bank if it’s your first account in Spain.
Tax Obligations for New Residents
Anyone who spends more than 183 days in a calendar year in Spain is considered a tax resident and must file a Spanish income tax return (la Renta). Residents are taxed on worldwide income — not only on what they earn in Spain.
Spain and the UK have a double taxation agreement that prevents income from being taxed twice across both countries. UK Government guidance on the Spain–UK tax treaty is the definitive reference (external link, opens in new tab). Not being aware of this agreement is a common and expensive oversight. If you’re self-employed or working remotely for a non-Spanish employer, getting specialist tax advice before you arrive is worth the cost of the consultation.
Budgeting for Education and Day-to-Day Costs
International school fees should be confirmed before you commit to a specific school or neighbourhood. They vary by year group — early years and primary tend to be lower; secondary and Sixth Form higher. The BIC’s admissions page has current information on fees and the application process.
Day-to-day costs in Benalmádena and across the Costa del Sol are meaningfully lower than Madrid, Barcelona or comparable UK coastal areas. Supermarket prices, dining out and utilities are all lower. Housing costs have risen in recent years but remain below UK equivalents for comparable property size and location.
Frequently Asked Questions About Moving to Spain with Children
Do my children need to speak Spanish before starting at an international school in Spain? At The BIC, no. Teaching is in English throughout and Spanish is taught as a structured subject from the start. Children arrive at different language levels and the approach is designed to meet them where they are. For state schools, prior Spanish helps considerably — but full immersion tends to produce results faster than most parents predict.
What is the NIE and when do I need it? The NIE is your Spanish tax identification number. You need it for opening a bank account, signing a lease, registering at a health centre and enrolling children at school. It’s one of the first practical steps after arriving. Our guide to getting your NIE in Spain walks through the process step by step.
Are A Levels and IGCSEs recognised for Spanish university entry? Yes, with conditions. British qualifications are accepted for Spanish university access, but applicants may need to go through a validation process and sit subjects of the EBAU (selectividad) in some cases. The BIC’s Sixth Form team supports students applying to both Spanish and UK universities. For a detailed comparison of the qualifications systems, see our post on GCSEs vs IGCSEs for families new to Spain.
Can my children enrol at an international school before I have residency sorted? Yes. School admissions at international schools are not conditional on residency status. Families can enrol children while the residency application is still in progress, provided they have a valid passport and the required health and academic documentation.
Is private health insurance compulsory in Spain? For EU citizens, no — though many choose it for faster specialist access and shorter waiting times. For non-EU families applying for long-term residency visas, private health insurance is typically a mandatory requirement. Costs are significantly lower than UK private health equivalents.
Can we apply for a school place if we arrive outside the September intake? The BIC accepts applications throughout the year, subject to availability in the relevant year group. International schools are generally more flexible on this than state schools, which tend to follow fixed intake periods. Contact our admissions team to check current availability and arrange a visit.
How long does it realistically take for children to settle after a move like this? Most children adjust within a school term, with the social side often taking longer than the academic one. Consistent routines, extracurricular involvement and open conversations about the change all make a measurable difference. The BIC’s pastoral team works with families throughout the settling-in period.
Come and See It for Yourself
Reading a guide like this gets you only so far. The actual shape of your family’s experience in Spain — which neighbourhood, which school, which pace of life — becomes clear when you visit, not when you research.
If you’re considering The Benalmádena International College for your children, the most useful first step is to contact us and arrange a campus visit. We show families around the school, answer questions specific to your children’s year groups and walk you through the admissions process from start to finish. Families from the UK, Ireland, Germany, the Netherlands and across Europe have made this move work — we’d be glad to help yours do the same.
