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French Curriculum International Schools in Spain

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About international schools in Spain

French-curriculum schools in Spain are part of the French overseas education network and deliver the French national curriculum from maternelle through to terminale, giving pupils continuity with schools in France and preparation for the French baccalauréat. Many schools now offer the international pathway of the French baccalaureate (the BFI, which replaced the old OIB option) or bilingual tracks that combine the French programme with extra international or local-language study. Instruction is primarily in French but most schools teach Spanish and English as compulsory additional languages, and in Catalonia you will commonly see Catalan integrated into the timetable. Fees vary by city and provider: families should expect a one-off enrolment charge plus annual tuition and extras, with published guides showing many Madrid and Barcelona international schools sitting in the mid-thousands to low-tens-of-thousands of euros per year depending on age and services. Parents should plan to apply early (applications commonly open in the autumn/winter before the following school year), expect language assessment or interviews for non-French speakers, and check each school’s published admissions window and waiting-list practice.

Compare 36 French Curriculum international schools in Spain. Filter by curriculum, fees (average EUR 6,779), location, and more to find the right international school now.

At a glance 36 schools · avg fee EUR 6,779
Schools listed
36
Curricula
17
Average annual fee
EUR 6,779
Fee range
EUR 0 – 16,650
Most common curriculum
French Curriculum (36 schools)
Average school size
947 pupils
Largest by enrolment
Lycée Français de Madrid
Oldest
Lycée Français de Madrid (1919)
With boarding
3

Read our parent's guide to the French Curriculum →

11 international schools in Madrid

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5 international schools in Barcelona

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4 international schools in Alicante

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3 international schools in Malaga

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2 international schools in Las-palmas

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1 international school in Bilbao

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1 international school in Valencia

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1 international school in Mallorca

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1 international school in Tarragona

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1 international school in Tenerife

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1 international school in Ibiza

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1 international school in Zaragoza

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1 international school in Girona

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1 international school in A Coruna

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1 international school in Vigo

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1 international school in Cadiz

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FAQs for Spain

How does the French curriculum taught in Spain compare with the International Baccalaureate or the Spanish system?
French schools in Spain follow the official French national curriculum and prepare pupils for the French baccalauréat, so teaching sequence, assessment style and subject choices mirror what pupils would experience in France. Many French schools also offer international or bilingual pathways (the BFI and language sections) which add additional language and literature exams; these differ from the IB in structure and assessment but are widely recognised for university entry. Schools that operate under Spanish agreements sometimes include local validation or extra Spanish study to ease progression to Spanish universities.
What should we budget for fees and extra costs?
Expect a combination of a one-off enrolment or registration fee plus an annual tuition charge, school meals, transport, books, uniforms and extracurriculars. Published fee guides for Madrid and Barcelona show a wide spread by age and school; family budgets typically need to allow for several thousand euros per year and to check whether fees rise with each secondary year or include other mandatory charges.
When should we start the application process and what do schools look for?
Begin enquiries as soon as your move is confirmed and submit applications in the autumn/winter before the intended start year where possible, because demand in city hubs often leads to waiting lists. Admission checks commonly include age and document verification, an interview or language assessment for pupils who are not native French speakers, and many schools operate priority rules for siblings or children of French nationals - exact criteria are set by each school.
My child isn’t fluent in French - will they cope and what language support is available?
Most French international schools run French-language integration programmes (Français Langue Étrangère or equivalent) and staged support in primary and lower secondary to bring non-French speakers up to the working level. Younger children typically acquire classroom French quickly through immersion, while older pupils may follow a tailored pathway that combines extra French lessons with some curriculum adjustments until they reach the expected competence.
Will the French baccalauréat from a school in Spain be accepted for university entry in Spain or elsewhere?
The French baccalauréat is the standard French secondary qualification and is widely recognised for entry to universities in France and accepted by Spanish universities, subject to the usual equivalence and administrative procedures. Pupils who follow bilingual or local-validated tracks may find the paperwork for Spanish admission easier, so families should check university entry requirements early if they expect their child to apply in Spain.
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