Late Applications to Schools in Madrid: How Steps into Spain Can Help You Secure a Place

As in many countries, student places for concertado and public schools in Madrid are usually applied for in spring, when the majority of spots for the next academic year are allocated. But what happens if you miss the main deadline? That’s where late applications to schools in Madrid come into play. At Steps into Spain, helping families secure school places after the main admissions season is one of our core services.

Help! I Missed the Application Date

While the standard application process for public and concertado schools in Madrid closes in March /April, families still have the option to apply through the late application process, called the “proceso extraordinario.” This opens June 26th and stays open for two weeks.

For families who don’t arrive in Madrid until the end of August, the late enrolment process reopens on 1st September, and the local education office (Servicio de Apoyo a la Escolarización – SAE) does its best to enrol children promptly, helping to avoid delayed school starts. Being prepared and having your preferred schools selected in advance is key, this is an important piece to help you feel in control about your child’s school in Madrid. Please be aware that families who arrive in Madrid anytime between mid July to end of August are unable to make progress with late enrolments because local education offices are all closed during the month of August.

Before You Apply

One thing worth knowing if you’re moving from the UK, US or Ireland: Spanish schools enrol children based on calendar year of birth, not academic year cutoff dates. This means your child will be placed in the year group that matches their birth year, regardless of which year they were in back home. It occasionally means a child starts a year earlier or later than parents expect, so it’s worth checking before you apply.

Best Advice for Late Applications

As a local education expert, my top advice for parents seeking late applications to schools in Madrid is to thoroughly research your neighborhood and make a clear list of preferred schools. Applying individually makes it important to show genuine interest and communicate it effectively — this can significantly strengthen your child’s case, though final decisions depend on each school’s admissions policy.

At Steps into Spain, I help families navigate this process year-round. From initial guidance to securing the right school, I provide support every step of the way. Together we will find the school that is the right one for your child.

Every family’s situation is different. If you’d like to talk through yours, book a free 20-minute call and we’ll work out where to start. Book your free call

Sinéad Galvin is the Founder of Steps into Spain, a boutique education consultancy based in Madrid. She helps families from all over the world find the right school for their child and navigate the Spanish admissions process.