Lifestyle · 9 min
International Schools on the Costa Blanca: Complete Guide for Expat Families
2 June 2026 · Hansson & Hertzell
Moving to Costa Blanca with children? Here's everything you need to know about British, international, and bilingual schools in the Alicante province.
# International Schools on the Costa Blanca: Complete Guide for Expat Families
One of the most common questions we receive from families considering a move to the Costa Blanca is about education. The good news: the Alicante province has a well-developed international and bilingual school sector that serves the substantial expat community. Here is a practical guide to your options.
The Three Main Routes
Spanish state schools (colegios públicos): Free, taught entirely in Spanish (with increasing bilingual programmes in English and Valencia). Excellent for children who will immerse fully and want to integrate quickly. The pace of language acquisition in younger children is remarkable. Not ideal for children above 12 who have no Spanish.
Concertado schools (semi-private, state-subsidised): Private schools that receive state funding and follow the Spanish curriculum. Fees are lower than fully private schools. Many have bilingual programmes.
Fully private international schools: Follow British, IB, or American curricula in English. Higher fees (6,000–15,000 € per year or more) but offer continuity for children who may return to their home country or move again.
Key International Schools in the Alicante Province
The English Language School (ELS) — Alfaz del Pi (near Benidorm) One of the longest-established British-curriculum schools on the Costa Blanca Norte. Offers IGCSE and A-Levels. Serves families from Altea, Calpe, Benidorm, and surrounding areas. Strong academic results and extensive extracurricular programme.
The British School of Alicante City-centre Alicante location with British National Curriculum from reception through sixth form. IGCSE and A-Level qualifications. Well-established community with many British, Scandinavian, and German families.
Colegio Internacional Europa — Torrevieja International school serving the south of Costa Blanca. Popular with British and Northern European families. Bilingual programme with English and Spanish. Primary and secondary.
Colegio Internacional Lady Elizabeth — Torrevieja / San Miguel de Salinas British-accredited school with Cambridge IGCSE programme. Located conveniently for families in the Orihuela Costa area.
Sueco-Española Alicante A unique Swedish-Spanish bilingual school. Particularly relevant for Swedish expat families seeking to maintain Swedish language education while integrating into the Spanish system.
IB World Schools The International Baccalaureate (IB) is offered at several schools in the region. The IB Diploma is widely recognised for university entry globally and is valued by families who have moved internationally multiple times.
Costs
International school fees on the Costa Blanca range considerably:
- Registration and enrolment fees: 500–3,000 € one-time
- Annual tuition: 5,000–15,000 € depending on school and year group
- Extracurricular activities, uniforms, transport: 1,000–3,000 € additional
Compare this to equivalent private schools in the UK (12,000–45,000 £ per year) or Sweden — Costa Blanca international schools represent significant value.
State School Integration
For families committed to long-term residency and Spanish integration, state schools are an excellent and free option. Children under 10 typically adapt within 6–12 months. The Spanish state school system provides free morning care, afternoon care (comedor — lunch with supervision), and extracurricular activities.
Register at your local ayuntamiento and visit the nearest state school with your child's birth certificate, health card, and proof of address.
Practical Tips for Families
Visit schools before committing to a specific area — the school catchment can influence where in the Costa Blanca you look for a property. Many families choose their home location partly based on proximity to their preferred school.
Most international schools have open days and will give you a tour and answer questions. Ask specifically about the language support provision for new non-English or non-Spanish speaking students.
Check whether the school is accredited by a recognised body (Cambridge Assessment International Education, Council of International Schools, etc.) — accreditation matters for university recognition.
