Anyone moving to Mallorca with children faces a central question early on: which school is right for us? The Balearic Islands have their own trilingual education system that works differently from Germany. On top of that there are private and international schools, a strong German School in Palma and a range of concerted establishments. This article gives you a practical overview of the options, what they cost and how to enrol your child step by step.
Overview of the Education System
The Spanish education system is divided into several stages. Only the stage from primary school onwards (age six) is compulsory; everything before that is voluntary but widespread.
| Stage | Age | Compulsory | State cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guarderia | 0 to 3 | No | Fee-paying |
| Educacion Infantil | 3 to 6 | No | Free |
| Educacion Primaria | 6 to 12 | Yes | Free |
| ESO (Lower secondary) | 12 to 16 | Yes | Free |
| Bachillerato | 16 to 18 | No | Free |
| Formacion Profesional | from 16 | No | Free |
The Balearic Islands follow a trilingual model. The languages of instruction are Catalan (Mallorqui) and Spanish, with English as a compulsory subject from the first school year. Each school sets its own balance between Catalan and Spanish; typically 50 to 80 per cent of subjects are taught in Catalan. You can find more about multilingual upbringing in the article Bilingual Children on Mallorca.
Three School Types
- Publica: State school, free, follows the Balearic curriculum
- Concertada: Semi-state, semi-private, usually with a religious body as operator, sometimes fee-paying
- Privada: Fully private schools, international or denominational operators, fully fee-paying
In addition there is the Deutsche Schule Mallorca (German School) as a special case, with the German curriculum and Abitur. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages. The choice depends heavily on how long you plan to stay, which language you want to prioritise and what budget you have available.
Nursery (Guarderia)
For children under three there are two types of nursery on Mallorca: municipal (Escoletes Municipals) and private guarderias. Places are in demand; enrolment usually runs in April for a September start.
Municipal Nurseries (Escoletes Municipals)
Run by the municipalities, partly subsidised. Costs in Palma are between 150 and 400 EUR per month depending on income level. Places are limited and allocated on a points system (income, siblings, both parents working). Quality is generally very good, with a pedagogical approach similar to the reform education model.
Opening hours:
- Regular hours 7:30 to 17:00
- Early drop-off from 7:00 at an additional charge
- Closed in August
Private Nurseries
More choice, more flexibility, higher costs. Typical fees are 400 to 700 EUR per month. Many private nurseries use English as a second language or even as the main language. Some offer German-language provision, especially in the Palma-Son Vida and Santa Ponsa areas.
Typical establishments in Palma:
- Happy Kids (multilingual)
- Escuela Infantil Globedu
- Escoleta La Milagrosa (Catholic, concerted)
- Regenbogen Kita (German-speaking)
Tip: Take waiting lists seriously
Popular nurseries have waiting lists of six months or more. Register as soon as you know you are moving, even if you do not yet have your empadronamiento. Most establishments allow a provisional registration and confirm the place once the paperwork is in order.
Kindergarten (Educacion Infantil)
From the age of three, children in Spain have a right to a free kindergarten place (Educacion Infantil, also called "Parvulario"). The kindergarten is attached to the primary school and takes place in the same building. Children usually then continue at the same school for primary education.
What Happens in Kindergarten
- Playful language learning (Catalan and Spanish)
- First writing and number exercises
- Music, art, movement
- Social integration into the class, which often stays together through to the end of primary school
Opening Hours and Organisation
- 9:00 to 14:00 (core hours, often with an afternoon break)
- Early drop-off (Acollida) from 7:30, fee-paying (around 60 EUR per month)
- Lunch from 4 EUR per day, often subsidised
- Afternoon care until 16:30 (optional, 50 to 100 EUR per month)
Holidays
- Christmas holidays: 2 to 3 weeks
- Easter holidays: 1 to 2 weeks
- Summer holidays: end of June to mid-September
- Additional free days on the patron saint's day of each municipality
If both parents work, the summer break is a challenge. Many schools offer summer camps (Escoles d'Estiu) for a fee, and private providers offer holiday programmes. You can find an overview of German-language options through the German community on Mallorca.
Primary School and Secondary Education
Primary education (Educacion Primaria) begins at age six. It lasts six school years, until the age of twelve. After that comes the ESO (Educacion Secundaria Obligatoria) up to age 16 and optionally the Bachillerato up to age 18 or vocational training (Formacion Profesional).
Primary School (Primaria)
- Years 1 to 6 (ages 6 to 12)
- Fixed timetable 9:00 to 14:00, at some schools also with afternoon sessions
- Typical class size 20 to 25 children
- Teachers rarely change, classes often stay stable
Secondary School (ESO)
- Years 7 to 10 (ages 12 to 16)
- Timetable 8:00 to 14:30, no lunch at school
- Wide range of subjects, compulsory choice of a second language (often French or German)
- Certificate: Titulo de Graduado en ESO
Upper Secondary (Bachillerato)
- Years 11 and 12 (ages 16 to 18)
- Three strands: Ciencias, Humanidades, Artes
- Certificate: Titulo de Bachillerato
- University access via Selectividad (EvAU)
Vocational Training (Formacion Profesional)
- Alternative to Bachillerato from age 16
- Grado Medio (2 years) and Grado Superior (2 years)
- Strongly practical, often with work placements
- Good employment prospects on Mallorca, especially in tourism, hospitality and construction
Note: Mid-year school changes can be tricky
Anyone moving during the school year often encounters full classes. Allocation is handled by the Comissio d'Escolaritzacio, which may assign a child to a school further away if necessary. Where possible, plan moves to coincide with the start of the school year in September, when places are more reliably available.
German School and International Schools
For families who plan to return to Germany or want an international perspective, private schools with their own curriculum are the most popular option. The choice on Mallorca is broad.
Eurocampus Deutsche Schule Mallorca
The flagship German school on Mallorca, founded in 1993. Location: Sant Agusti (Palma). It runs from kindergarten through to the German Abitur, supplemented by the International Baccalaureate (IB) in the upper school. The language of instruction is German, with Spanish and English as foreign languages.
- Fees: 650 to 950 EUR per month (as of April 2026)
- Class size: 18 to 22 children
- Enrolment: waiting list, applications 6 to 12 months in advance
- School transport: own bus service for Palma and the surrounding area (around 150 to 200 EUR per month)
International Schools
Several well-established English-language schools around Palma and on the west coast:
- Baleares International College (BIC): Location Sa Porrassa, British curriculum
- King Richard III College: Calvia, British system, IGCSE and A-Levels
- Agora Portals International School: Puerto Portals, IB and Spanish qualification
- The Academy International School: Marratxi, British
- Mallorca International School: Sa Porrassa, British-American
Costs range from 8,000 to 20,000 EUR per year depending on the year group. Enrolment also requires advance notice, often including an interview or language test.
Private Schools with a Denominational Body
- Colegio San Cayetano, Colegio Montecion, Colegio Sant Josep Obrer: Traditional schools in Palma
- Mixed concerted or private status
- Costs: 100 to 400 EUR per month
- Often religiously oriented (Catholic)
Costs and Enrolment
Costs vary greatly between school types. An overview for orientation.
| School type | Enrolment costs | Monthly costs | Additional costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| State school | None | 0 EUR | Materials around 150 EUR/year |
| Concerted school | 200 to 400 EUR | 100 to 300 EUR | Materials, uniform |
| Private school | 500 to 1,500 EUR | 400 to 1,500 EUR | Materials, activities |
| German School | 1,500 to 2,500 EUR | 650 to 950 EUR | Materials, bus fare |
| International school | 1,500 to 3,000 EUR | 800 to 1,500 EUR | Uniform, bus fare, licences |
State School Enrolment Process
- Obtain empadronamiento and NIE
- Access the school portal at caib.es/educacio in March
- Enter a wish list with up to three schools
- Upload documents: birth certificate (officially translated), vaccination record, proof of income, latest school reports
- Wait for allocation (May to June)
- Start school in September
Private School Enrolment Process
- Register via the school portal or by appointment
- Visit with an introductory meeting
- Language or entrance test (from ESO onwards)
- Pay the registration and enrolment fee
- Sign the contract and receive the timetable
Moving Mid-Year
If you want to enrol your child outside the regular application cycle, contact the school authority (Conselleria d'Educacio) directly. The Comissio d'Escolaritzacio Extraordinaria allocates available places. For the German School and international schools, contact the school administration directly. If your child is coming from abroad, language support (Aula de Acogida) is often offered to ease the transition.
Tip: Attend an open day
Most schools on Mallorca hold a Jornada de Puertas Abiertas in January and February. There you can see the building, meet teachers and ask other parents questions. Use these occasions before you finalise your wish list. The personal impression often tells you more than brochures and websites.
Recognition and Homologation
If your child is moving from a German to a Spanish school or vice versa, the school reports need to be recognised. The homologacion runs through the Spanish Ministry of Education and takes several months. In the meantime your child can be provisionally admitted. For homologacion you need officially certified translations. You can find an overview of this topic in the article on sworn translators on Mallorca. A general moving checklist with all steps is in our moving checklist.
Schooling on Mallorca is different from Germany but very well organised. Anyone who plans ahead, finds the right school and consistently speaks German at home gives their child a valuable gift: a multilingual, culturally diverse school experience in a Mediterranean climate. The key is preparation, patience and a willingness to accept local rules, even when they differ from the familiar German processes.