TIE HoyCatalan, Basque, Valencian, Galician — which regions have a language barrier when transferring to public school?
You think Spain only speaks Spanish — when transferring from an international school to public, the co-official language may become an enrollment or graduation requirement.
Which regions have language requirements?
Catalonia (Catalan): strictest. No exemption, Bachillerato faces full requirement immediately.
Basque Country (Euskera): most flexible. Bachillerato transfers from outside fully exempt.
Valencia (Valencian): 2-year exemption + 2024 law allows Castellano track.
Galicia (Galician): 2-year exemption, must apply.
Balearics (Catalan): non-residents can get exemption.
Navarra north (Euskera): vascophone zone only.
My child speaks zero regional language — what happens?
Depends on the target CCAA.
Basque Country Bachillerato = fully exempt.
Valencia/Galicia = 2-year buffer, then must meet standard.
Catalonia = no buffer. Hardest CCAA for transfers.
Check the language policy BEFORE deciding to transfer.
What to do
Identify target CCAA. Check language requirement and exemption policy.
Bring
- Target CCAA
- Language type
- Exemption policy
Steps
- Identify target CCAA.
- Check co-official language.
- Check exemption: buffer period? How long?
- If Catalonia: reassess whether to transfer.
Basis
6 Spanish CCAAs have co-official languages. Policies differ widely: Catalonia no exemption, Basque Country full Bachillerato exemption, Valencia/Galicia 2-year buffer.
More questions
Does this affect international school students?
Not if they stay. International schools do not require regional languages.
But if considering transfer to public or the child’s future career is local — the regional language is reality.
More to read
diploma vs Spanish system→IGCSE choices→student Spanish→https://www.gva.es/en/inicio/procedimientos?id_proc=G235