Moving to Spain With Children: Magical, Life-Changing… and Slightly Unhinged if You Don’t Prepare

Let’s be honest from the start.

Moving to another country is a big decision.
Moving to another country with children is a whole different sport — played while tired, emotional, and carrying a backpack full of paperwork.

Yes, moving to Spain with kids can be incredible:

• better weather
• more outdoor life
• a culture that actually likes children
• later bedtimes without judgement

But it also comes with questions that keep parents awake at 3am:

Will they settle?
Will school be OK?
What if we’ve ruined their lives?

(You haven’t. But let’s talk properly.)

Why Families Are Flocking to Spain (And Not Just for the Sun)

Spain doesn’t just tolerate children — it actively includes them.

Kids are:

• welcome in restaurants
• out late without side-eye
• part of daily life, not an inconvenience

Add to that:

• a slower pace
• more outdoor time
• family-centred culture
• and (often) a lower cost of living

…and it’s easy to see why families are choosing Spain for a reset.

But — and this matters — it works best when it’s planned realistically, not romantically.

Schools in Spain: No, There Is No “Best” One

This is where parents spiral first, so let’s calm it down.

Spain has four main school options, and none of them are universally “right” or “wrong”.

🏫 Public Schools

• Free
• Spanish curriculum
• Full language immersion

Great for:

• younger children
• long-term plans
• families happy to integrate quickly

Challenging if:

• your child is older
• you’re only staying short-term

🏫 Concertado (Semi-Private) Schools

• Partially state-funded
• Small fees
• Often excellent reputations

A middle ground many families overlook — sometimes by accident, sometimes by fear.

🏫 Private & International Schools

• Higher fees
• Smaller classes
• British, IB, or international curricula

Often chosen when:

• children are older
• exams are coming
• parents want educational continuity

Important note: good schools fill up fast. Waiting lists are real. Hope is not a strategy.

Healthcare for Children: One of Spain’s Quiet Superpowers

Spain’s healthcare system is excellent — especially for children.

Once properly registered, families get access to:

• paediatric care
• vaccinations
• routine check-ups
• urgent care that doesn’t involve remortgaging

In many areas:

• doctors speak English
• care is calm and thorough
• children are treated like humans, not numbers

This is one of the biggest relief points for parents after the move.

Admin With Kids: The Unsexy but Necessary Bit

Moving with children means more paperwork. There’s no avoiding it.

You will need:

• NIE numbers
• Padrón registration
• Correct visa or residency status
• Bank accounts
• Insurance
• School paperwork

None of this is difficult on its own.
It just becomes a lot when combined — which is why starting early matters.

Language & Integration: Kids Cope Better Than You Do

Parents worry endlessly about language.

Children?
They just… crack on.

Especially younger ones.

School immersion, sports, clubs, and playgrounds do more for fluency than any app ever will.

For parents, learning some Spanish isn’t about perfection — it’s about:

• communicating with teachers
• understanding WhatsApp messages
• not nodding politely when you have no idea what’s been said

Spain is welcoming, but effort goes a long way.

Money Stuff: Spain Is Cheaper… Until It Isn’t

Yes, Spain can be cheaper than many other countries.
No, it’s not cheap everywhere.

Families should budget realistically for:

• schooling (if private/international)
• healthcare or insurance
• housing
• transport
• utilities
• food and clothing

Where you live matters more than almost anything else.

Trying to live a “London lifestyle” in Marbella?
Your bank account will notice.

Where Families Actually Thrive in Spain

A few consistent favourites — for good reason:

🌴 Alicante / Costa Blanca

Affordable, family-friendly, strong expat networks, good schools.

🌆 Valencia

Big enough to be interesting, small enough to manage. Parks everywhere. Very underrated for families.

🌾 Murcia

More affordable, quieter, excellent for families who want space and community without tourist chaos.

🏙 Barcelona & Surrounds

Top schools, culture, outdoors — but pricey. Suburbs work best for families.

☀️ Costa del Sol

Great schools, strong British infrastructure, warm weather — but higher costs.

There is no “best” place. Only what fits your family.

The Bit Parents Don’t Expect

Children often settle faster than adults.

Parents, meanwhile, juggle:

• guilt
• doubt
• exhaustion
• nostalgia
• WhatsApp groups in two countries

This is normal.

Moving country reshapes family dynamics — sometimes beautifully, sometimes uncomfortably at first.

Give it time.

Final Reality Check (The Helpful Kind)

Moving to Spain with children isn’t about perfection.
It’s about adaptability, patience, and support.

Spain offers:

• a child-friendly culture
• outdoor living
• strong healthcare
• a chance to slow down

But it works best when families:

• plan properly
• choose schools realistically
• accept that the first few months are messy

And understand that “different” does not mean “worse”.

Often, it means better.