Last checked against the sources: 12 November 2026. Fees change every school year: always confirm them with the school.

In short: if you are moving to Valencia with school-age children, choose the school first and the home second. Most international schools are outside the city, along two axes: the north (Puçol) and the north-west (Godella, Rocafort, Paterna, Bétera, L’Eliana). Each axis has its own type of housing and its own journey into the centre. Published 2026/27 fees run from roughly €4,500 to €10,000 a year per pupil, or somewhat more, not counting enrolment, lunch or the school bus.

This article is for information only. We do not recommend any particular school and have no arrangements with any of them.

Why the school comes before the house

  • The school decides the daily commute. A flat in the centre with a school in Puçol means two car or school-bus journeys every day.
  • Places are limited in some year groups. Ask about availability in each child’s year before committing to an area.
  • The type of housing changes by area. Near the north-western and northern schools, houses with gardens in residential developments (urbanizaciones) are plentiful. In the city, flats.
  • The rental contract needs some margin. To register at the padrón (the municipal register of residents) in València city, a contract of more than six months is required (how the padrón works). Municipalities in the surrounding area have their own requirements.

The schools, by area

Area School Curriculum Indicative annual fee 2026/27
City · Russafa British School of Valencia British up to A-levels €7,600–9,950 (10 instalments of €760–995) + admission €3,250
City · Pla del Real Deutsche Schule Valencia German up to the Abitur, from age 3 €5,541–6,103 + refundable deposit €1,000
North · Los Monasterios, Puçol American School of Valencia American, with the IB Diploma €7,427–9,862 (lunch included) + entry fees
North · Puçol Caxton College British €687–998/month with lunch + enrolment €900
North-west · Rocafort Cambridge House British, A-levels and BTEC Not published; ask the school for the table
North-west · La Cañada, Paterna El Plantío International School British up to Year 11, then IB Diploma Not published
North-west · La Cañada, Paterna British College La Cañada British (IGCSE, A-levels) Not verified
North-west · Bétera Mas Camarena Spanish with IB programmes Only once a place is offered
North-west · L’Eliana Iale International School Bilingual Spanish, IB at the end €450–840/month depending on stage + enrolment €790

There are more: one directory counts over 30 international schools in the province, including those in Gandia, Xàtiva and Alzira. This table covers those in the metropolitan area with published or verifiable fees.

Where the families of each axis live

City. For those who want to walk or cycle and do without a car. The British School of Valencia is in Russafa and the Deutsche Schule in Pla del Real. Nearby neighbourhoods such as the Ensanche, Pla del Remei, Pla del Real or Mestalla are made up of large flats in older buildings or in buildings from the 1960s to the 1980s, with little housing with gardens.

North-west: Godella, Rocafort, Paterna (La Cañada), Bétera, L’Eliana. This is the area with the most international schools together. Villas and semi-detached houses in pine-wooded developments predominate. Two metro lines link it with the centre:

  • Line 1 (Bétera – Castelló): Bétera, Rocafort, Godella. From Bétera to Àngel Guimerà, about 30 minutes.
  • Line 2 (Llíria – Torrent Avinguda): L’Eliana, La Canyada, Paterna.

North: Puçol (Los Monasterios) and surroundings. For those choosing the American School or Caxton College. A residential development next to the schools, close to the northern beach and the motorway towards Castellón. Puçol has a Cercanías station (the Renfe suburban rail network).

Before deciding, do the real journey at school drop-off time and at the time you would be coming back from work. It is the test that changes decisions most.

A timeline that works

When What
6–9 months before Shortlist of schools by curriculum. Write to them to ask about places in each child’s year.
4–6 months before A scouting visit of a few days: schools in the morning, areas in the afternoon, the commute at rush hour.
2–3 months before Place confirmed. Home search in the chosen area, with in-person viewings.
1 month before Contract signed, utilities in your name, removal.
On arrival Padrón, health card if you are entitled to one and the other procedures (which comes first).

What is decided separately: residence and taxes

Families moving for work often ask about three things. We summarise them so you know what to ask a professional. This is not advice.

  • Golden visa: it no longer exists. It was abolished on 3 April 2025 (Ley Orgánica 1/2025). Buying a house no longer grants residence.
  • Non-lucrative residence visa, for those who will not work in Spain: it requires proof of financial means of 400% of the IPREM (Spain’s public indicator of income, used as a benchmark) for the main applicant, plus 100% for each family member. Professional sources put it at about €28,800 a year for the main applicant in 2026. Your consulate confirms it.
  • Impatriate regime («Beckham law»): those who move for an employment contract, remote work, as a company director or as an entrepreneur, and have not been tax resident in Spain in the previous five years, can opt for it. It applies in the year of the move and the following five. It extends to the spouse and to children under 25 if they meet the requirements. It is requested with the modelo 149 (the tax form for opting in), within the deadline. Talk to a tax adviser before you move: the order of the steps matters.

Frequently asked questions

Are there international schools within the city of Valencia? Yes, a few. The British School of Valencia (Russafa) and the Deutsche Schule (Pla del Real) are in the city. Most are in municipalities of the metropolitan area.

Do the schools run a bus from Valencia? Several offer it as a separate service, for about €150–210 a month depending on the school. Ask about routes and stops, because they do not cover every area.

Can I rent before I have a place? You can, but you risk a long contract in the wrong area. If you need to arrive earlier, a temporary let with a justified reason gives you room (what changes in a temporary contract).

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Sources

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