At a glance
| Factor | Madrid | Beijing |
|---|---|---|
| Average international school fees (secondary) | EUR 18,000 to 30,000 | USD 32,000 to 50,000 |
| Dominant curricula | British, Spanish-bilingual, IB, American | American, IB, British, Chinese bilingual |
| Cost of living vs Madrid (Numbeo, 2026) | Baseline | Roughly similar, housing 10 to 20 percent lower |
| Family visa | Non-lucrative, digital nomad or EU residence | Z work visa plus S1 dependant |
| Expat share of population | About 13 percent | Under 1 percent |
| Typical relocation timeline | 8 to 12 weeks | 10 to 14 weeks |
Madrid is the cheaper city on school fees and the more flexible visa setting, particularly for families who want EU residence on a digital nomad route. Beijing is more expensive on fees but offers larger campuses, strong American and IB provision, and meaningful expat allowances on senior packages. Both cities have mature English-medium markets with full IB and bilingual options.
Schools landscape side by side
Madrid hosts more than 30 international or bilingual schools across the British, American, IB, French and German systems. The Tier 1 names families compare are King's College The British School of Madrid (La Moraleja, Soto and Chamartin), the British Council School, the American School of Madrid, the International College Spain, Runnymede College, Hastings School and ICS Madrid. Capacity is usually good outside the top three names, with most Years 1 to 9 places returning a decision within four to eight weeks.
Beijing's market is smaller by school count but anchored by three giants. The International School of Beijing in Shunyi, Western Academy of Beijing (WAB) and Dulwich College Beijing dominate shortlists, joined by the British School of Beijing, Yew Chung International School and Harrow Beijing. Tier 1 capacity is tight on senior years after the 2020 to 2023 expat dip, with WAB and ISB returning to waiting lists at Years 1 and 7. Apply at least a full term ahead. See our Madrid city guide and Beijing city guide for school directories and current admission notes.
Not sure which city fits your family?
Take the 5 minute school finder quiz, then run the cost calculator for both cities. You get shortlisted schools plus a side by side relocation budget in under ten minutes.
Fees and value for money
King's College Madrid publishes annual tuition from EUR 13,000 to 18,000 at primary and EUR 18,000 to 24,000 at secondary, with ICS Madrid and the American School at EUR 22,000 to 30,000 across the senior years. On top, registration fees of EUR 300 to 3,000 and an optional school bus of EUR 1,800 to 3,000 are typical. Most families budget EUR 22,000 to 30,000 per child once extras are loaded.
Beijing Tier 1 schools publish annual fees from CNY 220,000 at primary to CNY 360,000 at the IB Diploma (roughly USD 30,000 to 50,000). WAB and ISB sit at the top, with primary at CNY 280,000 to 380,000. Add a 15 to 25 percent uplift for capital levies, transport, meals and trips. The standard fixed exchange rate at WAB is CNY 6.6 to USD 1 for USD billings. Use our school fees explorer to compare specific schools.
Curriculum availability
Madrid has the broader curriculum bench thanks to its dense bilingual concertado sector and the strong British presence at King's College and the British Council School. Beijing's market is concentrated on IB and American, with a strong British minority. The IB Diploma is the safest portable credential in either city. For curriculum specific deep dives see the IB hub and American curriculum hub.
Neighbourhoods families pick
In Madrid, international school families cluster in La Moraleja, Aravaca, Pozuelo de Alarcon, Las Rozas and Majadahonda, with school buses radiating from these residential pockets. A four bedroom villa in Pozuelo or La Moraleja runs EUR 3,000 to 5,500 per month. In Beijing, families concentrate in Shunyi near ISB and Dulwich, with Riviera, Capital Paradise and Yosemite the recognisable compounds. A four bedroom villa in Shunyi runs CNY 35,000 to 65,000 per month (roughly USD 5,000 to 9,000), and the school-bus is essential.
Lifestyle and climate
Madrid is hot and dry in summer, cool and clear in winter, with a famously late-evening family culture and excellent outdoor sport options. Air quality is good and the city is materially safer than its size suggests. Beijing is dustier and more variable, with strong heat in summer and crisp dry cold from November to March. Air quality has improved markedly since 2017 but families still monitor it. Travel from Madrid is excellent within Europe; Beijing is the natural hub for Asia.
Verdict: who picks which city
Choose Madrid if you want EU residence, reasonable school fees, a Mediterranean family rhythm and a city that scales well from infant to teenager. It also suits families who plan to stay in Spain long term. Choose Beijing if your role carries a strong China package, you want larger campuses and you are comfortable navigating tighter regulations on schooling and digital life. Beijing is the stronger city for families whose career arc is China-centred and whose employer pays fees.
Most families we work with run both cities through the cost calculator before they commit. The five year all-in delta between similar schools and similar housing is typically EUR 50,000 to 90,000 in Madrid's favour, though employer-paid Beijing packages can flip the maths.
Frequently asked questions
Is Madrid or Beijing cheaper for international school families in 2026?
Madrid is cheaper on school fees by 30 to 45 percent at like for like Tier 1 schools. Day to day costs are broadly comparable, with Beijing housing slightly cheaper at the villa end but its school fees significantly higher.
Which city has better international schools?
Beijing has fewer schools but larger campuses and stronger American and IB provision. Madrid has the deeper bench by school count, with stronger British and bilingual options. Choose by curriculum, budget and year group, not headline rankings.
Is the family visa easier in Madrid or Beijing?
Madrid is easier. Spain's non-lucrative and digital nomad visas are well documented and grant EU residence. Beijing requires a Z work visa, foreign expert certificate and S1 dependant visas; processing has improved since 2024 but still takes longer.
How long does the school admissions process take in each city?
Madrid Tier 1 schools commonly return decisions in four to eight weeks. Beijing schools have 4 to 12 month waiting lists at Years 1, 7 and 12 at the top names; apply at least a full term ahead.
Where do most international school families live in each city?
Madrid families cluster in La Moraleja, Aravaca, Pozuelo, Las Rozas and Majadahonda. Beijing families concentrate in Shunyi near ISB and Dulwich, with Riviera, Capital Paradise and Yosemite the recognisable compounds.
