The Madrid school landscape
Madrid has Spain's deepest international school market. The flagship American schools are The American School of Madrid (ASM) and ICS Madrid. Top British schools include King's College Madrid, Runnymede College, Hastings School and British Council School. Premium IB schools include SEK International and Brains International. Lycée Français de Madrid and the Deutsche Schule Madrid serve the French and German communities respectively.
Spain's Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) introduced in 2023 has driven a surge in Madrid relocations. Many international schools now have priority enrolment processes for new arrivals. Fees are notably lower than London, Paris, Geneva or Zurich, and the lifestyle is hard to beat.
Considering Spain's Digital Nomad Visa?
School enrolment is part of the DNV family application. Our guide covers eligibility, costs and which schools accept DNV applicants.
Most popular neighbourhoods for families
Pozuelo and Aravaca form Madrid's expat family triangle, home to ASM, King's College, Runnymede and SEK. La Moraleja is the premium northern community for ICS Madrid and the British Council School. Boadilla del Monte hosts Brains International. Salamanca and Chamberí appeal to families wanting central Madrid living and good metro connections. Read our guide to living in Salamanca with international schools. For a leafy north west option near the Pozuelo school belt, read our guide to living in Aravaca with international schools. For a central choice beside the Parque del Retiro, read our guide to living in Retiro with international schools. For a leafy, value northern residential district, read our guide to living in Mirasierra with international schools. For a north west commuter town beyond the Pozuelo belt, read our guide to living in Las Rozas with international schools. For a leafy north west commuter town in the international school corridor, read our guide to living in Majadahonda with international schools. For the leafy, school rich suburb at the heart of the Pozuelo belt, read our guide to living in Pozuelo de Alarcón with international schools. For the premium northern community by ICS Madrid, read our guide to living in La Moraleja with international schools. For a low rise, school rich town on the western edge of the city, read our guide to living in Boadilla del Monte with international schools.
