International schools and healthcare in Barcelona

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Finding the right school

International and French-language programmes, in Barcelona and its surroundings.

Updated Oct 15, 2026

Selection · 31 schools shown

École française Ferdinand-de-Lesseps
Barcelone — Eixample (Gran Via) · City
FrenchFrench curriculum
From pre-school to lower secondary
AEFE-accredited — partner-agreement school (établissement conventionné)
About this school
AEFE directory: Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes 707, 08013; eight accredited levels (pre-school and primary). The Ministry register (“Collège Ferdinand de Lesseps”, code 08005357) also lists compulsory secondary, a level not accredited by the AEFE. Official website not consulted.
Official website Source
Lycée français de Barcelone
Barcelone — Pedralbes · City
FrenchFrench curriculum
From pre-school to upper secondary
AEFE-accredited — school directly managed by the AEFE (établissement en gestion directe)
About this school
AEFE directory: Carrer de Bosch i Gimpera 6-10, 08034; fifteen of sixteen levels accredited. Ministry register, code 08040126. Official website not consulted.
Official website Source
Lycée français de Gavà Bon Soleil
Gavà · Surrounding area
FrenchFrench curriculum
From pre-school to upper secondary
AEFE-accredited — partner school (établissement partenaire)
About this school
AEFE directory: Camino de la Pava 15, 08850 Gavà; thirteen accredited levels. Ministry register, code 08017426. Official website not consulted.
Official website Source
Lycée français international Bel Air
Sant Pere de Ribes · Surrounding area
FrenchFrench curriculum
From pre-school to upper secondary
AEFE-accredited — partner school (établissement partenaire)
About this school
AEFE directory: Rambla del Garraf 134, 08810 Sant Pere de Ribes; fifteen accredited levels. The Ministry register (“École Française Bel Air”, code 08056894) gives the C-246 road at Vilanoveta. Official website not consulted.
Official website Source
AESA Prep Academy of Barcelona
Barcelone — Sarrià-Sant Gervasi (Pedralbes) · City
EnglishAmerican curriculum
From primary to lower secondary
Authorised foreign school in Spain (Ministry of Education register of schools, code 08078415)
About this school
Register: c. Montevideo 31, 08034. Levels based on the courses listed in the Ministry register (school record): primary and compulsory secondary. American programme presumed from the name (not verified). Second site in Sant Cugat (separate entry); official website not recorded.
Source
Barcelona High School
Barcelone — Sant Martí · City
EnglishOther curriculum
From primary to lower secondary
Authorised foreign school in Spain (Ministry of Education register of schools, code 08079146)
About this school
Register: c. Joan d'Àustria 109, 08018. Levels based on the courses listed in the Ministry register (school record): primary and compulsory secondary (foreign curricula). Programme nationality not stated; official website not recorded.
Source
Barcelona Montessori School
Barcelone — Sarrià-Sant Gervasi · City
EnglishOther curriculum
From pre-school to lower secondary
Authorised foreign school in Spain (Ministry of Education register of schools, code 08078211)
About this school
Register: c. de l'Esperança 13, 08017. Levels based on the courses listed in the Ministry register (school record). Programme nationality not stated; official website not recorded.
Source
Benjamin Franklin International School
Barcelone — Sarrià-Sant Gervasi · City
EnglishAmerican · IB
From pre-school to upper secondary
Authorised foreign school in Spain (Ministry of Education register of schools, code 08041829)
About this school
Register: c. Martorell i Peña 9, 08017 (no courses detailed in the register). Official website: “comprehensive American curriculum from Nursery to Grade 12, complemented by the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme (IBDP)”.
Official website
Escuela Suiza de Barcelona
Barcelone — Sarrià-Sant Gervasi · City
GermanSwiss curriculum
From pre-school to upper secondary
Authorised foreign school in Spain (Ministry of Education register of schools, code 08040217)
About this school
Register: c. Alfons XII 99, 08006. Levels based on the courses listed in the Ministry register (school record). Language of instruction not verified (German presumed); official website not recorded.
Source
Istituto Italiano Statale di Barcellona
Barcelone — Gràcia (Passatge Méndez Vigo, Eixample) · City
ItalianOther curriculum
From primary to upper secondary
Authorised foreign school in Spain (Ministry of Education register of schools, code 08004432)
About this school
Italian state school (“other” curricula). Register: ptge. Méndez Vigo 5-8, 08009. Levels based on the courses listed in the Ministry register (school record): primary, secondary, baccalaureate; official website not recorded.
Source
Kensington School Barcelona
Barcelone — Les Corts (Pedralbes) · City
EnglishBritish curriculum
Levels: pre-school, primary, upper secondary
Authorised foreign school in Spain (Ministry of Education register of schools, code 08035568); NABSS member
About this school
Register: c. dels Cavallers 31-33, 08034. Levels based on the courses listed in the Ministry register (school record): pre-school, primary, baccalaureate (compulsory secondary does not appear in the register; not verified). Website address taken from the NABSS record, not consulted.
Official website Source
Learnlife
Barcelone — Eixample · City
EnglishOther curriculum
From primary to lower secondary
Authorised foreign school in Spain (Ministry of Education register of schools, code 08079134)
About this school
Register: c. Enric Granados 7, 08007. Levels based on the courses listed in the Ministry register (school record): primary and compulsory secondary. Programme nationality not stated; official website not recorded.
Source
Oak House School
Barcelone — Sarrià-Sant Gervasi · City
EnglishBritish curriculum
From pre-school to primary
Authorised foreign school in Spain (Ministry of Education register of schools, code 08040035); NABSS member
About this school
Register: c. Sant Pere Claver 12-18, 08017. Levels based on the courses listed in the Ministry register (school record): only pre-school and primary are listed in the register of foreign schools; any higher levels are not confirmed; official website not recorded.
Source
Scuola Materna Privata Italiana Maria Montessori
Barcelone — Les Corts (Pedralbes) · City
ItalianOther curriculum
Pre-school only
Authorised foreign school in Spain (Ministry of Education register of schools, code 08003609)
About this school
Italian pre-school (“other” curricula). Register: c. Setantí 10-12, 08034. Levels based on the courses listed in the Ministry register (school record); official website not recorded.
Source
St. George School Barcelona (The British School of Catalunya)
Barcelone — Sarrià-Sant Gervasi · City
EnglishBritish curriculum
From pre-school to lower secondary
Authorised foreign school in Spain (Ministry of Education register of schools, code 08074914); NABSS member
About this school
Register: Pg. Reina Elisenda de Montcada 18 bis, 08017. Levels based on the courses listed in the Ministry register (school record): pre-school, primary, compulsory secondary; official website not recorded.
Source
The British School of Barcelona — campus de Barcelone
Barcelone — Sarrià-Sant Gervasi (Pedralbes) · City
EnglishBritish curriculum
From pre-school to lower secondary
Authorised foreign school in Spain (Ministry of Education register of schools, code 08078063); NABSS member
About this school
Register: c. de l'Esperança 32, 08017. Levels based on the courses listed in the Ministry register (school record). Other campuses in Castelldefels and Sitges (separate entries). Website address taken from the NABSS record, not consulted.
Official website Source
The Learn Academy
Barcelone — Sarrià-Sant Gervasi · City
EnglishOther curriculum
Lower secondary only
Authorised foreign school in Spain (Ministry of Education register of schools, code 08079572)
About this school
Register: Av. Diagonal 646 bis, 08017. Levels based on the courses listed in the Ministry register (school record): compulsory secondary only. Programme nationality not stated; official website not recorded.
Source
AESA Prep at EISB
Sant Cugat del Vallès · Surrounding area
EnglishAmerican curriculum
From primary to lower secondary
Authorised foreign school in Spain (Ministry of Education register of schools, code 08079316)
About this school
Register: av. Pla del Vinyet 110, 08172. Levels based on the courses listed in the Ministry register (school record): primary and compulsory secondary. American programme presumed from the name (not verified); official website not recorded.
Source
Colegio Alemán de Barcelona (Deutsche Schule Barcelona)
Esplugues de Llobregat · Surrounding area
GermanGerman curriculum
From pre-school to upper secondary
Authorised foreign school in Spain (Ministry of Education register of schools, code 08035593)
About this school
Register: av. Jacint Esteva Fontanet 105, 08950. Levels based on the courses listed in the Ministry register (school record); languages other than German not verified; official website not recorded.
Source
Colegio Japonés de Barcelona
Sant Cugat del Vallès · Surrounding area
JapaneseOther curriculum
From primary to lower secondary
Authorised foreign school in Spain (Ministry of Education register of schools, code 08041544)
About this school
Japanese curriculum (“other” curricula). Register: polígon Can Graells. Levels based on the courses listed in the Ministry register (school record); official website not recorded.
Source
Emilio Sánchez American School
El Prat de Llobregat · Surrounding area
EnglishAmerican curriculum
Authorised foreign school in Spain (Ministry of Education register of schools, code 08073983)
About this school
Register: Castelldefels motorway C-31 (kilometre point given in the register). No courses detailed in the register: levels not confirmed; official website not recorded.
Source
Gresol International-American School
Terrassa · Surrounding area
EnglishAmerican curriculum
From pre-school to lower secondary
Authorised foreign school in Spain (Ministry of Education register of schools, code 08077681)
About this school
Register: Sabadell–Matadepera road BV-1248. Levels based on the courses listed in the Ministry register (school record); official website not recorded.
Source
Piccolo Mondo
Sant Cugat del Vallès — Valldoreix · Surrounding area
ItalianOther curriculum
Pre-school only
Authorised foreign school in Spain (Ministry of Education register of schools, code 08068665)
About this school
Register: c. Uruguai 14-16, 08190. Levels based on the courses listed in the Ministry register (school record): pre-school only. Italian programme presumed (not verified); official website not recorded.
Source
Richmond International British School
Sant Pere de Ribes · Surrounding area
EnglishBritish curriculum
Authorised foreign school in Spain (Ministry of Education register of schools, code 08075505); NABSS member
About this school
Register: rbla. del Garraf 14-16, 08810. No courses detailed in the register: levels not confirmed; official website not recorded.
Source
St. Patrick's International School
Sant Joan Despí · Surrounding area
EnglishBritish curriculum
From pre-school to lower secondary
Authorised foreign school in Spain (Ministry of Education register of schools, code 08076856); NABSS member
About this school
Register: c. Major 37-39, 08970. Levels based on the courses listed in the Ministry register (school record). Website address taken from the NABSS record, not consulted.
Official website Source
Synergy International Christian School
Cerdanyola del Vallès — Bellaterra · Surrounding area
EnglishOther curriculum
Authorised foreign school in Spain (Ministry of Education register of schools, code 08077927)
About this school
Register: c. Salcillo 6-8 / ctra. Bellaterra 23-25, 08193. No courses detailed in the register: levels and programme not confirmed; official website not recorded.
Source
The American School of Barcelona
Esplugues de Llobregat · Surrounding area
EnglishAmerican curriculum
Levels: pre-school, lower secondary, upper secondary
Authorised foreign school in Spain (Ministry of Education register of schools, code 08041738)
About this school
Register: c. Balmes 7, 08950. Levels based on the courses listed in the Ministry register (school record): pre-school, compulsory secondary, baccalaureate (primary does not appear in the register; not verified); official website not recorded.
Source
The British College of Gavà
Gavà · Surrounding area
EnglishBritish curriculum
From pre-school to lower secondary
Authorised foreign school in Spain (Ministry of Education register of schools, code 08074884); NABSS member
About this school
Register: c. Josep Lluís Sert 32, 08850. Levels based on the courses listed in the Ministry register (school record); official website not recorded.
Source
The British School of Barcelona — campus de Castelldefels
Castelldefels · Surrounding area
EnglishBritish curriculum
From pre-school to lower secondary
Authorised foreign school in Spain (Ministry of Education register of schools, code 08015892); NABSS member
About this school
Register: c. Ginesta 26, 08860. Levels based on the courses listed in the Ministry register (school record). Website address taken from the NABSS record, not consulted.
Official website Source
The British School of Barcelona — campus de Sitges
Sitges — Vallpineda · Surrounding area
EnglishBritish curriculum
From pre-school to primary
Authorised foreign school in Spain (Ministry of Education register of schools, code 08076054); NABSS member
About this school
Register: Pg. Isaac Albéniz s/n (Vallpineda estate), 08870. Levels based on the courses listed in the Ministry register (school record): pre-school and primary.
Official website Source
The Olive Tree School
Sant Pere de Ribes · Surrounding area
EnglishBritish curriculum
From pre-school to lower secondary
Authorised foreign school in Spain (Ministry of Education register of schools, code 08075581); NABSS member
About this school
Register: c. Modistes 8, 08810. Levels based on the courses listed in the Ministry register (school record); official website not recorded.
Source

Check available places and admission requirements directly with each school.

Where this list comes from

Schools taken from the register of the Spanish Ministry of Education (authorised foreign schools, province of Barcelona; registered courses read from each school's record), from the AEFE directory for French schools, and cross-checked against the NABSS member list. Scope: Barcelona and the municipalities of the metropolitan area where expatriate families usually live (Esplugues, Sant Joan Despí, El Prat, Castelldefels, Gavà, Sitges, Sant Pere de Ribes, Sant Cugat and Valldoreix, Cerdanyola/Bellaterra, Terrassa). Excluded: municipalities further away (see notes), vocational training, higher education and hairdressing centres and business schools listed in the same register, as well as Catalan schools that offer an international programme (International Baccalaureate) without being registered as foreign schools, as the IB database could not be consulted.

Compiled from the registers cited; it does not claim to be complete.

List updated on Oct 15, 2026.

Your guide to healthcare

Understand your cover and prepare the first steps.

Regional rulesUpdated Oct 15, 2026

Mandatory health insurance

Depends on status

Access to the public system

Under conditions

What is your situation?

Show the information that applies to you.

Your cover · General rules

Mandatory health insurance

Read the details

Whether insurance is mandatory depends on your status. Employees and self-employed workers registered with the Seguridad Social are covered by the public system and do not need to take out private insurance. Health insurance is, however, required to obtain or renew certain permits: non-lucrative temporary residence (public insurance or private insurance taken out with an insurer authorised to operate in Spain, to be maintained for the full duration of the permit under RD 1155/2024), stay for study purposes (insurance with an insurer authorised in Spain, with benefits similar to the common basket of the National Health System, valid for the full duration of the stay) and the permits under Law 14/2013, including residence for international remote work (public or private insurance with an insurer authorised in Spain). Residence for investors (“Golden Visa”) has been abolished: the corresponding articles of Law 14/2013 were emptied of their content by Organic Law 1/2025, with effect from April 2025. European Union citizens who do not work must, in order to register on the register of Union citizens, show sufficient resources and health insurance covering all risks in Spain (RD 240/2007), a requirement that public cover from another Member State can satisfy (S1 form).

Access to public healthcare

Read the details

Entitlement to public healthcare is recognised by the National Social Security Institute (INSS) for people registered and in alta (actively enrolled) with the Seguridad Social (employees, autónomos), pensioners and benefit recipients, their dependants, people covered by the European regulations (S1) and foreigners legally and habitually resident who are not required to prove cover by another route (Law 16/2003, Article 3). Holders of a permit conditional on private insurance therefore rely on that insurance. Residents with no access at all to public cover can take out a convenio especial (paid voluntary enrolment, RD 576/2013) after the period of actual residence indicated, in return for a monthly contribution according to the age band indicated. In Catalonia, CatSalut also provides so-called “segon nivell” access for foreign residents who are neither insured nor beneficiaries with the INSS, on application and subject to a decision; the precise conditions (in particular for holders of a residence permit carrying a private insurance requirement) are not detailed on the page consulted.

Employee: Employees are registered and declared (alta) with the Seguridad Social by their employer; they are therefore insured with the INSS, as are their resident dependants, and apply for the regional health card without any prior insurance step.
Self-employed: Self-employed workers (autónomos) register with the special scheme for self-employed workers (RETA); being in alta gives them access to public healthcare in the same way as an employee. Contribution amounts are not covered here.
Retiree: Holders of a Spanish contributory pension are insured. Retirees from another EU Member State (including France) register their S1 form with the INSS and then obtain the regional health card; a retiree with no public entitlement must rely on private insurance or, after the period of residence indicated, the convenio especial.
Student: Non-EU students must present health insurance with an insurer authorised in Spain, with benefits similar to the common basket of the National Health System, valid for the duration of the stay (RD 1155/2024, Article 35). European students use their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) during their studies or insurance covering all risks in Spain.
Non-lucrative temporary residence: Public or private health insurance taken out with an insurer authorised in Spain is required with the application and must be maintained for renewal; as the permit does not allow professional activity, it does not give access to public healthcare, except through the convenio especial after the period of residence indicated.
Residence for international remote work (“digital nomad visa”): Law 14/2013 requires public or private insurance with an insurer authorised in Spain. Holders who contribute to the Spanish Seguridad Social (or who remain covered by that of a State linked to Spain by a regulation or agreement) access public healthcare on that basis; otherwise, private insurance remains their cover.
Residence for investors (“Golden Visa”): This permit is no longer issued: Organic Law 1/2025 emptied of their content the articles of Law 14/2013 that provided for it, with effect from April 2025. The position of permits already granted, when they come up for renewal, has not been verified.
EU citizen not in work: For a temporary stay, the EHIC covers medically necessary care. To settle without working, registration on the register of Union citizens requires sufficient resources and insurance covering all risks in Spain (private or S1); access to the public system then comes through registered work, a pension, an S1 or, after the period of residence indicated, the convenio especial.

Your first steps

Obtain the NIE and then, for a non-EU national, the TIE (residence card); an EU citizen registers on the central register of foreigners (registration certificate).
Register on the municipal padrón (empadronamiento) of the municipality of residence: habitual residence is proven by the empadronamiento.
Have the entitlement to healthcare recognised by the INSS: automatic for an employee or autónomo in alta and for a pensioner; on application for a dependant, an S1 holder or a resident with no other cover.
Be empadronado in a municipality in Catalonia (basic condition set by CatSalut), then apply for the TSI online or at the centre d'atenció primària (CAP); employees, autónomos and pensioners already in alta with the INSS apply directly, without any prior step with the INSS.
The convenio especial (RD 576/2013) is arranged with CatSalut for people empadronadas in Catalonia who have no other public cover and can prove the required period of residence. The contribution amount is not published on the CatSalut pages consulted; the national scale is shown.

Planning for healthcare costs

Consultations, hospitalisation and emergency care in the public system involve no patient co-payment for insured people.

Read the details

Consultations, hospitalisation and emergency care in the public system involve no patient co-payment for insured people. Medicines dispensed in pharmacies on prescription remain partly payable by the patient (copago) according to declared income and status, at the rates indicated: working people and dependants according to income band, pensioners at a reduced rate (except high earners), with monthly caps for pensioners and low-income working people, and exemptions (non-contributory pensions, minimum living income, unemployed people whose benefits have run out, workplace accidents, certain disabilities). The scale was amended by RDL 11/2026, which came into force in May 2026. Most adult dental care is not covered. In Catalonia, CatSalut states for the “segon nivell” (foreign residents not insured with the INSS) a contribution towards medicines prescribed in primary care at the rate indicated, and for S1 holders a contribution specific to that coverage level (rate not included as a figure).

Amounts, caps and co-payments

Convenio especial: minimum period of continuous actual residence before applying : from 1 year · boe.es
Convenio especial (voluntary enrolment in the public system), subscriber under 65: monthly contribution : €60 · sede.comunidad.madrid
Convenio especial, subscriber aged 65 or over: monthly contribution : €157 · sede.comunidad.madrid
Catalonia: period of empadronamiento required of foreign nationals who are neither registered nor authorised to reside, to access public healthcare : from 3 months · catsalut.gencat.cat

Pharmaceutical copago: contribution of active insured persons with income below €18,000 (and of unregistered foreign nationals) : 40% · boe.es
Pharmaceutical copago: contribution of active insured persons with income from €18,000 to less than €60,000 : 45% · boe.es
Pharmaceutical copago: contribution of active insured persons with income from €60,000 to less than €100,000 : 50% · boe.es
Pharmaceutical copago: contribution of active persons and pensioners with income of €100,000 or more : 60% · boe.es
Pharmaceutical copago: contribution of Seguridad Social pensioners (except incomes of €100,000 or more) : 10% · boe.es
Pharmaceutical copago: lowest monthly contribution cap : up to €8.23 · boe.es

Who sets these rules

National framework (Law 16/2003 as amended by RDL 7/2018; entitlement recognised by the INSS); in Catalonia, CatSalut assigns a coverage level and issues the individual health card (TSI), and Catalan Law 9/2017 on universal coverage guarantees access for residents.

Official sources

Ley 16/2003 de cohésion et qualité du SNS, article 3 (texte consolidé) — Agencia Estatal Boletín Oficial del Estado
Asistencia sanitaria — Titulares / Requisitos — Seguridad Social (INSS)
Real Decreto 576/2013, convenio especial de prestación de asistencia sanitaria (texte consolidé) — Agencia Estatal Boletín Oficial del Estado
Qui té accés al sistema sanitari públic? — CatSalut — Servei Català de la Salut
Obtenció de la TSI — CatSalut — Servei Català de la Salut
Cobertura conveni especial Reial decret 576/2013 — CatSalut — Servei Català de la Salut
Accés CatSalut segon nivell — CatSalut — Servei Català de la Salut
Cobertura sanitària S1 — CatSalut — Servei Català de la Salut
Real Decreto Legislativo 1/2015, article 102 — aportación farmacéutica (texte consolidé, version du 28/05/2026) — Agencia Estatal Boletín Oficial del Estado
Hoja 6 — Autorización inicial de residencia temporal no lucrativa — Ministerio de Inclusión, Seguridad Social y Migraciones
Real Decreto 1155/2024, Reglamento de extranjería, article 35 (séjour pour études) — Agencia Estatal Boletín Oficial del Estado
Ley 14/2013 de soutien aux entrepreneurs, articles 62 et 63 (texte consolidé) — Agencia Estatal Boletín Oficial del Estado
Real Decreto 240/2007 (citoyens de l'UE), article 7 — Agencia Estatal Boletín Oficial del Estado
La sécurité sociale des salariés en Espagne — Maladie — CLEISS

Information updated on Oct 15, 2026.

Please note

Admissions, available places and conditions of access to healthcare depend on the institutions, your status and local rules. Check them with the institution or body concerned. Terms of use and disclaimers

Your new life.Your bearings in Barcelona.

École française Ferdinand-de-Lesseps

Lycée français de Barcelone

Lycée français de Gavà Bon Soleil

Lycée français international Bel Air

AESA Prep Academy of Barcelona

Barcelona High School

Barcelona Montessori School

Benjamin Franklin International School

Escuela Suiza de Barcelona

Istituto Italiano Statale di Barcellona

Kensington School Barcelona

Learnlife

Oak House School

Scuola Materna Privata Italiana Maria Montessori

St. George School Barcelona (The British School of Catalunya)

The British School of Barcelona — campus de Barcelone

The Learn Academy

AESA Prep at EISB

Colegio Alemán de Barcelona (Deutsche Schule Barcelona)

Colegio Japonés de Barcelona

Emilio Sánchez American School

Gresol International-American School

Piccolo Mondo

Richmond International British School

St. Patrick's International School

Synergy International Christian School

The American School of Barcelona

The British College of Gavà

The British School of Barcelona — campus de Castelldefels

The British School of Barcelona — campus de Sitges

The Olive Tree School

Your cover · General rules

Mandatory health insurance

Access to public healthcare

Your first steps

Official sources