International Schools in Mallorca: The Complete Guide for Expat Families 2026

One of the first questions families ask when considering a move to Mallorca is: where will the children go to school? The good news is that the island has an excellent selection of international schools offering British, International Baccalaureate (IB), and American curricula. Whether you are relocating permanently, splitting time between the UK and Spain, or looking for a school that will allow your children to transition back to the British or international system seamlessly, Mallorca has strong options. This guide covers every major international school, their curricula, fees, locations, and what to expect.

Why Choose an International School in Mallorca?

Mallorca has three types of schools: state schools (colegios públicos), state-subsidised private schools (colegios concertados), and fully private schools (colegios privados). International schools fall into the last category. Here is why most expat families choose them:

• Language of instruction: International schools teach primarily in English (and sometimes German or French), with Spanish and Catalan as additional subjects. State schools teach in Catalan and Spanish, which can be overwhelming for children who arrive with no prior knowledge of either language.
• Curriculum continuity: If your children may return to the UK or move to another country, an international school ensures they follow a recognised curriculum (IGCSE, A-Levels, IB) that is accepted by universities worldwide.
• Smaller class sizes: International schools typically have 15–22 pupils per class, compared to 25–30 in state schools.
• Pastoral care and integration support: International schools are experienced at welcoming children mid-year and helping them settle into a new country. Many have dedicated support staff for new arrivals.
• Extracurricular programmes: Most international schools offer extensive after-school activities, from sport and music to coding and drama, which help children build friendships quickly.

A note on state schools: Mallorca’s state schools are generally of a good standard and are completely free. Some expat families successfully enrol their children in state schools, particularly if the children are young (under 7–8) and will pick up Catalan and Spanish naturally. However, older children often struggle with the language barrier, and the Catalan-medium instruction can be a significant hurdle even for Spanish-speaking families from the mainland.

Baleares International College (BIC)

Overview

Baleares International College is widely regarded as one of the top international schools on the island. It operates two campuses — one in Sa Porrassa (Calvià, near Magaluf) and one in Sant Agustí (on the outskirts of Palma). BIC follows the British curriculum and is a member of the Cognita group of schools.

Curriculum and Key Facts

• Curriculum: English National Curriculum from Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) through to IGCSE and A-Levels
• Ages: 3–18
• Languages: English as the primary medium, with Spanish and Catalan taught as subjects. Some subjects offered bilingually.
• Class sizes: Typically 18–22 pupils
• Annual fees (2025/26): Approximately €8,500–€14,500 depending on year group. Sixth form (A-Levels) is at the higher end.
• Additional costs: Registration fee (€1,500–€2,500), school uniform, school meals (~€1,200/year), extracurricular activities, school trips
• Facilities: Modern campuses with science laboratories, sports facilities including swimming pools, libraries, art studios, and ICT suites

Location and Practical Information

The Sa Porrassa campus is in Calvià, making it ideal for families living in Calvià, Santa Ponsa, Palmanova, or Portals Nous. The Sant Agustí campus serves families in Palma and the surrounding areas. Both campuses are well connected by road, and school bus services are available (for an additional fee, typically €1,000–€2,000/year depending on the route).

Reputation: BIC consistently produces strong academic results at IGCSE and A-Level. It has a particularly good reputation for pastoral care and for supporting children who join mid-year from other countries. The school is inspected by BSO (British Schools Overseas) and receives regular positive assessments.

Agora Portals International School

Overview

Agora Portals is part of the Globeducate network and is situated in Portals Nous, one of the most upmarket areas in south-west Mallorca. The school stands out for offering the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme alongside a strong multilingual focus.

Curriculum and Key Facts

• Curriculum: IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), and IB Diploma Programme (DP). Also offers the Spanish Bachillerato for students who prefer the national route.
• Ages: 1–18 (one of the few schools accepting children from age 1)
• Languages: Trilingual education in English, Spanish, and Catalan. German and French also available.
• Class sizes: 15–20 pupils
• Annual fees (2025/26): Approximately €9,000–€16,000 depending on stage. The IB Diploma years are the most expensive.
• Additional costs: Enrolment fee (~€3,000), materials fee, meals, transport
• Facilities: Purpose-built campus with extensive sports facilities, performing arts centre, music conservatoire (the school places a strong emphasis on music and the arts), science laboratories, and outdoor learning spaces

Location and Practical Information

Located in Calvià (Portals Nous), the school is well positioned for families in the south-west of the island. It is approximately 15 minutes from Palma and easily accessible from Santa Ponsa, Bendinat, and Illetes.

Reputation: Agora Portals is particularly strong in the arts and music — it has its own conservatoire and a performing arts programme that is unusual for a school of this size. Academically, IB Diploma results are competitive, and the school has a good track record of placing graduates in universities across Europe and beyond. The trilingual approach is a significant advantage for families who want their children to become fluent in Spanish as well as English.

Green Valley International School

Overview

Green Valley is a smaller, more intimate international school located in Palma (Son Vida area). It offers a British curriculum with a strong emphasis on outdoor learning and environmental awareness, as its name suggests.

Curriculum and Key Facts

• Curriculum: English National Curriculum, IGCSEs. The school has historically focused on primary and lower secondary; sixth form provision is more limited, and some families transfer to BIC or Agora for A-Levels or IB.
• Ages: 2–16 (some year groups to 18, check current availability)
• Languages: English-medium with Spanish and Catalan classes
• Class sizes: 12–18 pupils — some of the smallest on the island
• Annual fees (2025/26): Approximately €7,500–€12,000
• Additional costs: Registration fee, meals, transport, activities
• Facilities: Set in green surroundings (Son Vida), outdoor learning areas, gardens, and nature spaces alongside standard classroom and sports facilities

Location and Practical Information

Situated in the Son Vida area of Palma, Green Valley is convenient for families living in Palma and its immediate surroundings. The Son Vida location is residential and leafy, though it is less convenient for families in the south-west resorts or the north of the island.

Reputation: Green Valley is valued for its nurturing, family-like atmosphere. The small class sizes mean teachers know every child individually, which is particularly beneficial for younger children or those who need extra support during the transition to a new country. It is not the right choice for families seeking a large, resource-rich campus, but for those who prioritise a personal touch, it is hard to beat.

The Academy International School

Overview

The Academy is located in Marratxí, just north of Palma, and is part of the International Schools Partnership (ISP). It offers both the British curriculum and the International Baccalaureate (IB Diploma) in the senior years, giving students flexibility.

Curriculum and Key Facts

• Curriculum: British curriculum (EYFS through IGCSEs) with the IB Diploma Programme available for the final two years (ages 16–18). Students choose between A-Levels and the IB Diploma.
• Ages: 3–18
• Languages: English as primary, Spanish and Catalan taught as subjects
• Class sizes: 16–22 pupils
• Annual fees (2025/26): Approximately €9,000–€15,000
• Additional costs: Registration and enrolment fees, school meals, transport, uniform
• Facilities: Modern campus with science labs, sports pitches, indoor sports hall, library, creative arts spaces

Location and Practical Information

Marratxí is on the northern edge of Palma, with good motorway access. The school is reachable within 15–25 minutes from most parts of Palma, and within 25–35 minutes from Calvià or Inca. School bus services cover a wide area.

Reputation: The Academy has grown significantly in recent years and benefits from ISP’s international network and resources. The dual option of A-Levels or IB Diploma at sixth form level is a genuine advantage for families who are unsure which pathway will best suit their child. The school has a diverse student body with over 40 nationalities represented.

King Richard III College

Overview

King Richard III College is one of the longest-established British schools in Mallorca, founded in 1986. Located in Portals Nous (Calvià), it follows the British curriculum through to A-Levels and has a loyal following among British expat families.

Curriculum and Key Facts

• Curriculum: English National Curriculum, IGCSEs, and A-Levels
• Ages: 3–18
• Languages: English-medium with Spanish and Catalan as additional subjects
• Class sizes: 12–18 pupils
• Annual fees (2025/26): Approximately €8,000–€13,500
• Additional costs: Registration fee, meals, transport, uniform, examination fees
• Facilities: Compact campus in Portals Nous with sports facilities, science laboratory, library, and ICT resources

Location and Practical Information

Located in Calvià (Portals Nous), the school is in the heart of the south-west coast’s expat community. It is particularly convenient for families in Santa Ponsa, Palmanova, Portals Nous, and Bendinat.

Reputation: King Richard III is known for its strong British identity and traditional values. It is one of the few schools where you can be confident that the British curriculum is delivered in a way that aligns closely with schools in the UK. Class sizes are small, which allows for individualised attention. Some families find the facilities more modest than the newer, larger schools, but the academic results and strength of the community more than compensate.

Other International Schools Worth Considering

Queens College Mallorca

Located in Palma, Queens College follows the British curriculum and offers education from nursery through to A-Levels. It has a strong academic record and is particularly well regarded for its primary years programme. Fees range from approximately €7,500 to €13,000 per year.

Bellver International College

Another Palma-based option, Bellver offers the British curriculum through to A-Levels. Established in 1950, it is one of the oldest international schools on the island. It has a reputation for strong pastoral care and a welcoming community. Fees are in the €8,000–€14,000 range.

German Schools

Mallorca has a significant German-speaking community, and the Deutsche Schule Mallorca (Eurocampus, Palma) offers the German curriculum (Abitur) alongside Spanish qualifications. Fees are approximately €6,000–€9,000 per year. There is also Lyceum Alpinum and other German-language options. These are worth considering if your children speak German or if you plan to move within the German-speaking world.

Comparing Fees: What to Budget

International school fees in Mallorca are generally lower than comparable schools in the UK, which is one of the pleasant surprises for relocating families. Here is a summary:

School	Curriculum	Annual Fees (approx.)	Ages
Baleares International College	British (IGCSE/A-Level)	€8,500 – €14,500	3–18
Agora Portals	IB (PYP/MYP/DP)	€9,000 – €16,000	1–18
Green Valley	British (IGCSE)	€7,500 – €12,000	2–16
The Academy	British + IB Diploma	€9,000 – €15,000	3–18
King Richard III	British (IGCSE/A-Level)	€8,000 – €13,500	3–18
Queens College	British (IGCSE/A-Level)	€7,500 – €13,000	3–18
Bellver International	British (IGCSE/A-Level)	€8,000 – €14,000	3–18

Total annual cost per child: When you add registration fees (amortised over the school years), meals, transport, uniform, activities, and trips, budget approximately €12,000–€20,000 per child per year for total school-related costs.

Comparison with UK: London private school fees average £18,000–£22,000 per year for day schools, rising to £30,000+ for boarding. Even the most expensive Mallorca international school is significantly cheaper than a mid-range London independent school, and your children get sunshine, outdoor space, and bilingual skills into the bargain.

Choosing the Right School: Key Questions

Every family’s priorities are different, but these questions will help you narrow down your choice:

• Where will you live? School choice and property location are intertwined. If you are drawn to a specific school, look at properties within a 20-minute drive. Conversely, if you have already found your ideal property, identify the nearest international schools. The south-west coast (Calvià) has the greatest concentration of international schools.
• British curriculum or IB? If you may return to the UK, the British curriculum (IGCSEs and A-Levels) offers the smoothest transition. If your child’s university destination is uncertain, the IB Diploma is recognised globally and is increasingly valued by UK universities as well.
• How important is Spanish language acquisition? Some schools integrate Spanish more deeply than others. Agora Portals’ trilingual approach produces genuinely bilingual (or trilingual) graduates. Other schools teach Spanish as a subject but the playground language is English.
• Class size and pastoral care: If your child would benefit from a smaller, more nurturing environment, Green Valley or King Richard III may be the best fit. If you want a larger, more diverse community with extensive resources, BIC or The Academy may suit better.
• Budget: The difference between the most and least expensive school can be €5,000–€8,000 per year per child. Over 10 years of schooling, that adds up to €50,000–€80,000 per child. Factor this into your property budget.
• Visit before committing: Every school offers tours and taster days for prospective families. Visit at least two or three schools before making a decision, and if possible, let your child spend a day at their preferred school to see how it feels.

The Admissions Process

Most international schools in Mallorca have a straightforward admissions process: enquiry and school visit, application with previous school reports and passport copy, an informal assessment or taster day, and then a formal offer. Enrolment is confirmed by paying the registration fee (usually non-refundable). Most families apply for September entry, but international schools readily accept children mid-year, subject to availability. Popular schools (particularly BIC) can have waiting lists for certain year groups, so apply as early as possible.

Living Near the Schools: Property Considerations

The concentration of international schools in the south-west of Mallorca (Palma, Calvià, Marratxí) means that this area is the most practical base for families with school-age children. Key areas to consider:

• Calvià (Santa Ponsa, Portals Nous, Palmanova): Close to BIC (Sa Porrassa), Agora Portals, and King Richard III. Strong expat community, beaches, good amenities. Properties range from €250,000 (apartments) to €2,000,000+ (villas).
• Palma (Sant Agustí, Son Vida, Establiments): Close to BIC (Sant Agustí), Green Valley, Queens College, and Bellver. Year-round city life, cultural activities, international dining. Apartments from €200,000; houses from €400,000.
• Marratxí (Pòrtol, Sa Cabaneta): Close to The Academy. A quieter, more traditionally Mallorcan area with good value for money. Houses from €300,000–€500,000 with gardens.

If you are in the north of the island (Pollença, Alcúdia), the daily commute to the nearest international school is 40–60 minutes each way, which is impractical for young children. Families in the north sometimes opt for local state or concertado schools and supplement with English tutoring, or consider boarding options at UK schools for older children.

Final Thoughts

Mallorca’s international schools offer a quality of education that is comparable to good private schools in the UK, at a fraction of the cost, in a setting that most British children would consider paradise. The transition to a new school in a new country is always a significant step, but the international schools on this island are experts at making it as smooth as possible. Your children will gain a second (or third) language, a broader worldview, and memories of growing up in one of Europe’s most beautiful places.

The key is to plan early, visit schools before committing to a property, and involve your children in the process wherever possible. The school and the home are the two pillars of family life abroad — get both right, and the rest follows.