If you’re moving to Málaga with school-aged children, one of the most important things to understand is the school catchment system—known in Spanish as the áreas de influencia. Whether you’re applying to a public or concertado school, your family’s address plays a big role in determining your chances of getting a spot at a specific school.
Here’s a breakdown of how it works, how to check your zone, and what it means for your school strategy and options.
📍 What Is a School Catchment Zone?
In Málaga, every public and concertado school is part of a defined geographic zone. These zones are created by the Junta de Andalucía to ensure families have access to nearby schools and to help manage demand.
Your registered home address (empadronamiento) determines which schools you have priority for. This is a critical part of the school application process—being “in zone” earns you the highest number of points, though you can also receive points for schools in the zone where a parent or guardian is employed.
🧮 How the Point System Works
Enrollment in public and concertado schools is based on a point system, not just first come, first served. Here’s a simplified breakdown:
| Factor | Points |
|---|---|
| Living in the school’s primary zone (zona de influencia) | 14 |
| Living in a bordering zone (zona limítrofe) | 10 |
| Having a sibling already at the school | 14 |
| Parent working near the school | 6 |
| Other social/family factors | 1–4 |
💡 The higher your total points, the more likely your child is to get a place at the school. Check your point total here.
🔍 How to Check Your Catchment Zone
To find out which zone your address falls into:
- Visit the official Junta de Andalucía school zone map:
👉 Link to Junta’s zona Escolarización tool - Enter your exact address
- The system will display the schools in your primary and secondary zones
⚠️ Keep in mind: some streets are split between zones—being close doesn’t always mean you’re “in zone.” Always check!
🧠 Key Things to Know
- In-demand schools or more densely populated areas sometimes have smaller catchment zones
- No school guarantees admission, even if you’re in zone—but you do get priority
- If you apply to a school outside your zone where you have low or zero points, you will get a spot if there are fewer applications than available slots, however if there are more applications than available slots, not only will you not get a spot, you will have lessened your chances at a spot in a zoned school if all slots were already filled by students who ranked it priority.
- You can apply to multiple schools, but they must be ranked in your order of preference
🏡 Should You Choose Housing Based on Schools?
Many families do, but there is no right answer. My general feeling is that unless a child has a very specific need, then it is better to start with a neighborhood and then look for a school. Unless a child is applying in the priority application period for age 3 (segundo ciclo de infantil), then it makes less sense to base housing off a public school catchment zone.
And if you’ve already chosen a home, checking your zone will help you understand your realistic school options.
🎯 My Tips for Parents
- Register your empadronamiento as soon as possible—this is your proof of address. It can take up to 6 weeks to receive it after application, however your proof of application should suffice if you are applying for school out of the regular March period.
- Research your catchment and nearby schools in advance
- Consider both public and concertado options. If you are not able to attend open houses in February and March, search for schools Instagram and Facebook pages to get a feel for school life.
- Don’t rely on hearsay—check the zone map yourself
✅ Need Help?
At Españaula, we help international families understand the Spanish school system and navigate enrollment with confidence. Our Public & Concertado Enrollment Package includes:
- Personalized consultation
- Research into schools in your zone
- Help with up to 5 school visits
- Full application and enrollment support
👉 Learn more about our enrollment services with a free discovery call
Join our online community!
Españaula Blog: Your Guide to Schools & Education in Málaga & the Costa del Sol 
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