School Documents Required in Spain

Enrolling your child in a Spanish school requires specific documents, many of which need translation and apostille. This checklist ensures you have everything ready.

Essential Documents for All Schools

Core documents needed:

• Birth certificate:
  • Original from home country
  • Must be recent (within 3-6 months)
  • Requires apostille
  • Must be officially translated
• Child's passport or ID:
  • Valid and current
  • Photocopy for school records
• Child's NIE (if applicable):
  • Not always required immediately
  • Needed for official enrollment
• Parents' NIE and residence permit:
  • Proof of legal residence
  • Both parents if applicable
• Empadronamiento:
  • Proof of address registration
  • Recent (within 3 months)
  • Essential for public school catchment
• Health card (tarjeta sanitaria):
  • Spanish public healthcare card
  • Or private insurance certificate

Document Translation Requirements

Which documents need translation:

• Must be translated:
  • Birth certificate
  • Academic records/transcripts
  • Medical reports (if applicable)
  • Vaccination records
• Translation requirements:
  • Must be sworn translation (traducción jurada)
  • Done by official translator (traductor jurado)
  • Translator must be registered in Spain
  • Cost: €30-60 per page
• Finding a translator:
  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (list of sworn translators)
  • Your embassy/consulate
  • Online translation services

Apostille Requirements

What is an apostille?

• Official certification that authenticates documents
• Required for documents from non-Spanish authorities
• Issued by your home country
• Makes documents valid in Spain

Documents requiring apostille:

• Birth certificate
• Marriage certificate (if relevant)
• Academic transcripts
• Medical certificates

How to get apostille:

• From home country:
  • Contact relevant government office
  • Usually Secretary of State or Foreign Ministry
  • Cost: €10-50 per document
  • Processing: 1-4 weeks
• Order of process:
  • 1. Get original document
  • 2. Get apostille in home country
  • 3. Bring to Spain
  • 4. Get sworn translation in Spain

Academic Records

School records needed:

• Academic transcripts:
  • Last 2 years of schooling
  • Official school letterhead
  • Grades and subjects studied
  • Must be apostilled and translated
• School leaving certificate:
  • If transferring mid-year
  • Confirms last school attended
• Curriculum information:
  • Helps Spanish school place child correctly
  • Shows subjects and level studied
• Special considerations:
  • IEP or support plans (if applicable)
  • Language assessment results
  • Achievement certificates

Medical Documents

Health-related documents:

• Vaccination records:
  • Complete immunization history
  • Must be translated
  • Spain requires: DTP, MMR, Hepatitis B, Polio
  • Missing vaccines can be administered in Spain
• Medical certificate (certificado médico):
  • States child is fit for school
  • Can be obtained from Spanish doctor
  • Some schools require it
• Allergy/medical condition information:
  • If child has allergies or chronic conditions
  • Medical reports translated
  • Medication authorization forms

Document Preparation Timeline

Recommended timeline:

• 3-4 months before enrollment:
  • Request birth certificate from home country
  • Request academic transcripts
  • Start apostille process
• 2-3 months before:
  • Receive apostilled documents
  • Find sworn translator in Spain
  • Get documents translated
• 1-2 months before:
  • Apply for child's NIE (if needed)
  • Register address (Empadronamiento)
  • Get health card
  • Gather vaccination records
• Enrollment period:
  • Submit all documents
  • Complete application forms
  • Attend interviews (private schools)

Tips:

• Make multiple copies of all documents
• Keep originals safe
• Scan everything for digital backup
• Start process early - apostille can take weeks
• Some schools accept documents gradually