Spain’s 2026-2027 School Calendar Released
As the summer holidays approach, Spain’s autonomous communities are releasing their official school calendars for the 2026-2027 academic year. For families living in Spain, knowing the academic schedule in advance is crucial for planning family trips and coordinating work with their children’s time off. Here is a detailed breakdown of the key information for the Community of Madrid and Catalonia (with Barcelona as an example).
Community of Madrid
In the Community of Madrid, the start dates for the 2026-2027 academic year vary by educational level:
- Monday, September 7, 2026: Start of term for Preschool, Primary, and Special Education.
- Tuesday, September 8, 2026: Start of term for Secondary Education (ESO), High School (Bachillerato), and Vocational Training (FP).
- Wednesday, September 9, 2026: Start of term for some Higher Artistic Education courses.
- Monday, September 21, 2026: Start of term for Adult Education and some Art and Design courses.
Main Holiday Periods
- Christmas Holiday: From December 23, 2026, to January 10, 2027.
- Easter Holiday (Semana Santa): From March 19, 2027, to March 29, 2027.
Other Non-School Days and End of Term
In addition to the main holidays, schools will also be closed on the following dates:
- October 12, 2026 (Spain’s National Day)
- November 2, 2026
- December 7 and 8, 2026
- February 12 and 15, 2027
Most school classes will end on June 18, 2027. However, the end date for the second year of Bachillerato will be adjusted according to the university entrance exam (EBAU/PAU) schedule, and some preschool programs may extend until July 31, 2027.
Catalonia - Barcelona
The school calendar in Catalonia, where Barcelona is located, differs from Madrid’s.
- Start Date: Tuesday, September 8, 2026, for most levels, including Preschool, Primary, ESO, Bachillerato, and basic Vocational Training. The start date for some specialized FP courses, Adult Education, and Official Language Schools may be delayed until September 14 or later.
Main Holiday Periods
- Christmas Holiday: From December 22, 2026, to January 7, 2027, starting one day earlier and ending three days earlier than in Madrid.
- Easter Holiday (Semana Santa): From March 20, 2027, to March 29, 2027.
End of Term and Discretionary Days
- End of Term: Classes for Preschool, Primary, and ESO end on June 21, 2027. The first year of Bachillerato ends on June 17. The end date for the second year of Bachillerato also needs to be coordinated with the university entrance exam schedule.
- Discretionary Days (dies de lliure disposició): Schools in Catalonia are entitled to set up to four additional non-school days. The proposed dates for Barcelona for the 2026-2027 school year include: October 30, 2026; December 7, 2026; February 8, 2027; and May 14, 2027. Parents should confirm the final dates with their child’s specific school.
Planning Tips
For families working and living in Spain, understanding the school calendar goes beyond just knowing when children are off. Working parents should note that their children’s holidays (especially Christmas, Easter, and various non-school days) may not fully align with their own work schedules, requiring advance planning. For newly arrived families, alongside handling administrative tasks like residency permits and town hall registration (empadronamiento), it is also beneficial to incorporate the school system and holiday schedule into their overall planning to better integrate into the local pace of life.
