Schools in Andorra

Schools in Andorra at a glance

Andorra has three public school systems and a small number of international schools. Class sizes are small by European standards, multilingual learning is the norm, and the overall quality is high. School choice is one of the most important practical decisions for families moving to Andorra - it affects where you live, your move-in date and your children's social integration. Factor it in early.

• Three public systems: Andorran (Catalan-led), French, Spanish - all free
• International schools: English-led, fee-paying, strong multilingual outcomes
• Languages in daily life: Catalan, Spanish, French, English - children become fluent in multiple languages within 1-2 years
• School calendar: September to June, with Christmas, Easter and summer breaks broadly aligned to European norms
• Key practical point: school enrolment requires a confirmed Andorran address - align with your housing and residency timeline

The three public school systems in Andorra

Andorran system (Sistema Andorrà)

The Andorran public system is the national curriculum, taught primarily in Catalan with strong Spanish and French taught as core subjects throughout. It is free for residents. Children integrate quickly into the local community through this route and it is the most common choice for families intending to settle long-term in Andorra.

• Language of instruction: Catalan primary, Spanish and French as core subjects
• Age range: 3 to 16 (compulsory), with post-16 baccalaureate options
• Fees: free for resident families
• Integration speed: fast - Catalan is the social language in the Andorran system
• Best for: families committed to Andorra long-term who want deep local integration

French system (Sistema Francès)

The French public school system in Andorra runs the official French curriculum, overseen by the French government. It is well established and highly regarded. Children in the French system graduate with the French Baccalaureate, giving access to French higher education and the wider French-language university network.

• Language of instruction: French primary, with Catalan and Spanish taught
• Age range: 3 to 18 (through to Baccalaureate)
• Fees: free for resident families
• Qualification: French Baccalaureate
• Best for: French-speaking families and those targeting French university pathways

Spanish system (Sistema Espanyol / La Salle)

The Spanish school system in Andorra is run by La Salle, a Catholic educational foundation. It follows the Spanish curriculum and prepares children for the Spanish Selectividad university entrance exam. It is well regarded locally and popular with Spanish-speaking families.

• Language of instruction: Spanish primary, with Catalan and French taught
• Age range: 3 to 18 (through to Selectividad)
• Fees: subsidised, with modest annual family contribution
• Qualification: Spanish Bachillerato / Selectividad
• Best for: Spanish-speaking families and those targeting Spanish university pathways

International schools in Andorra

Escola Britànica d'Andorra (British School of Andorra)

The British School of Andorra is the primary English-medium international school in the country. It follows a British-style curriculum and offers IGCSE and A-Level pathways, giving access to UK and international universities. It is the default choice for British, international and English-speaking families relocating to Andorra.

• Language of instruction: English primary, with Catalan, Spanish and French taught
• Age range: 3 to 18 (through to A-Level equivalent)
• Fees: fee-paying - annual fees broadly in the range of EUR 8,000-15,000 depending on year group (confirm directly with the school as fees change)
• Qualifications: IGCSE, A-Level or equivalent international pathways
• Best for: English-speaking families, families targeting UK or international university entry, and families wanting continuity with a British educational environment

Lax International School

Lax International School is an English-medium international school with a multilingual programme. It offers an international curriculum with strong Catalan, Spanish and French alongside English, preparing students for both international and local university pathways.

• Language of instruction: English, with Catalan, Spanish and French integral to the curriculum
• Age range: 3 to 18
• Fees: fee-paying - confirm directly with the school for current year group fees
• Qualifications: international baccalaureate-style pathways and local university access
• Best for: multilingual families and those wanting international qualifications with deep local integration

School fees in Andorra - what to budget

• Public systems (Andorran, French): free for resident families
• La Salle (Spanish system): subsidised, modest annual contribution - confirm directly
• British School of Andorra: approximately EUR 8,000-15,000 per year depending on year group
• Lax International: fee-paying - confirm directly for current fees
• Additional costs across all schools: uniform, school materials, extracurricular activities, school trips - budget EUR 500-2,000 per child per year on top of tuition

Always confirm fees directly with the school - fees change annually and depend on year group and sibling discounts.

Languages - what to expect for your children

Andorra is genuinely multilingual. Children in any school system are exposed to Catalan, Spanish and French as a matter of course. In international schools, English is added as the primary teaching language. Most children arriving from English or Spanish-speaking backgrounds reach functional multilingual competence within 12-18 months. Catalan is the social language of the Andorran community - children who attend the Andorran system or integrate with local peers pick it up fastest.

If your children are arriving mid-year, most schools offer language support for new arrivals. The French system is particularly strong on structured French-language support for non-native speakers.

Admissions - documents and timing

Admissions are straightforward but require a confirmed Andorran address, which is why school enrolment must align with your housing and residency plan.

• Child and parent passports
• Current school records from previous school (reports, references, any special educational needs documentation)
• Vaccination/health records if requested by the school
• Proof of Andorran address (rental contract or property deed)
• Residency permit (once issued) - some schools accept residency application confirmation pending the permit

The September intake is the cleanest entry point. Mid-year entry is possible at most schools but availability depends on year group and school. Plan to contact schools 2-3 months before your target start date.

School timeline for families moving to Andorra

• 3-4 months before move: shortlist schools, contact admissions, confirm year group availability
• 2-3 months before: visit schools if possible (can often be combined with a property viewing trip)
• 1-2 months before: submit application, provide documents, confirm place
• Move week: address confirmed, address supplied to school, enrolment finalised
• First weeks: school orientation, language support if needed, extracurricular settling-in

School calendar drives many family moves. If your target is September, work backwards from the September start date to set your residency, property and move-in milestones. We build this into the plan from the first call. See move to Andorra for the full sequence.

Choosing a school by parish - align school with home

All main schools in Andorra are located in or near the capital parishes (Andorra la Vella, Escaldes-Engordany) or in La Massana. The practical implication is that families in Canillo, Encamp or Ordino face a daily commute to school. For most families this is 10-25 minutes by car and unremarkable in Andorran terms - but worth factoring into your parish shortlist.

For a parish-by-parish breakdown of lifestyle, altitude and commute, see our Andorra parish real estate guide. For overall family life context see living in Andorra.

Comparing Andorra's school systems - which is right for your family?

• Committed to settling in Andorra long-term + want deep local community integration: Andorran system
• French-speaking + targeting French university: French system
• Spanish-speaking + targeting Spanish university: La Salle Spanish system
• English-speaking + targeting UK or international university: British School of Andorra
• Multilingual family + want international qualifications with local integration: Lax International
• Undecided or mixed-language family: visit both international options and the Andorran system - all three accept international families

Frequently asked questions

What schools are in Andorra? Andorra has three public school systems (Andorran, French and Spanish/La Salle) and two main international schools (Escola Britànica d'Andorra and Lax International School). All systems run from age 3 to 18. Public systems are free for residents; international schools are fee-paying.

Is there a British school in Andorra? Yes. Escola Britànica d'Andorra (British School of Andorra) is the main English-medium international school. It offers IGCSE and A-Level pathways, giving access to UK and international universities. Annual fees are approximately EUR 8,000-15,000 depending on year group.

Are schools in Andorra free? The Andorran public system and the French public system are free for resident families. La Salle (Spanish system) is subsidised with a modest annual contribution. International schools (British School, Lax International) are fee-paying.

What language are schools taught in Andorra? It depends on the system. The Andorran system teaches primarily in Catalan with Spanish and French as core subjects. The French system teaches in French. La Salle teaches in Spanish. International schools teach primarily in English, with Catalan, Spanish and French alongside.

Can my child attend school in Andorra without speaking Catalan? Yes. All schools accept non-Catalan-speaking new arrivals and provide language support. Children typically reach functional competence within 12-18 months. In international schools, English is the teaching language so Catalan is not a barrier to day-to-day learning.

What qualifications do Andorran schools offer? The Andorran system offers the Andorran Baccalaureate (recognised in local and some European universities). The French system offers the French Baccalaureate. La Salle offers the Spanish Bachillerato/Selectividad. The British School offers IGCSE and A-Levels. Lax International offers international baccalaureate-style pathways.

When is the school year in Andorra? September to June, with Christmas, Easter and summer breaks broadly aligned to European norms. September is the main intake point. Mid-year entry is possible at most schools subject to year group availability.

How do I enrol my child in school in Andorra? Contact the school directly with child and parent passports, current school records, vaccination documents and proof of Andorran address. An Andorran address is required for enrolment - align school contact with your property and residency timeline. Plan 2-3 months ahead of your target start date.

Do I need to be a resident to send my child to school in Andorra? Residency (or active residency application) is required for enrolment in public schools. International schools may have slightly more flexibility - confirm directly. In practice, school enrolment and residency run in parallel as part of the family move.

Which school is best for English-speaking families moving to Andorra? Escola Britànica d'Andorra is the natural first choice for English-speaking families, offering continuity with a British educational environment and A-Level pathways. Lax International is a strong alternative for multilingual families wanting English instruction alongside deep Catalan and Spanish integration.

How does school choice affect where I should live in Andorra? The main schools are in or near Andorra la Vella, Escaldes-Engordany and La Massana. Families in Canillo, Encamp or Ordino typically commute 10-25 minutes. Align your parish shortlist with your preferred school before choosing where to live. See our parish property guide for location detail.

How INVICO helps families with school planning

• Align school shortlist with parish and property choices so home and school work together
• Build school admissions timeline into your residency and move-in plan so nothing blocks September entry
• Coordinate school visits with property viewing trips for efficient use of your time in Andorra
• Keep school calendar coherent with your residency route and move-in date