Travel to Spain with Nacel and experience a high school exchange in the Madrid Metropolitan Area!
You will be welcomed by a Spanish host family who will accompany you during your stay there to improve your Spanish skills and learn more about the Spanish culture and way of life. You will go to school every day like a Spanish student. You will not doubt use this unique opportunity to enjoy Madrid region's tourist attractions!
Interested in this program?
We're happy to help you plan your stay.
Next possible start dates: September 2027! Apply now!
Your High School Exchange in Madrid
Nacel’s High School Exchange in Madrid welcomes EU passeport holders aged 15 to 17 for an academic year. Participants attend a local public or private high school and live with a Spanish host family in the Madrid Metropolitan area (Getafe). The program includes full-board accommodation in a single room, local orientation, coordinator support, and access to 24/7 emergency assistance.
Attend a local high school in Madrid
The Spanish educational system is divided into 3 stages: elementary education (from 6 to 12 Y.O.), secondary education (from 12 to 16 Y.O.) and the baccalaureate degree (from 16 to 18 Y.O.). Main subjects of secondary education are mandatory and cannot be chosen: Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, Physical Education, Plastic and Visual Education, Spanish and Literature, Foreign Language (English), Mathematics, Music, and Technology.
During the 2 years of the Bachillerato, students should take at least Physical Education, Philosophy, Spanish and Literature, Foreign Language and History. There are 3 more subjects to study, depending on the Spanish high school's offer: Technical Drawing, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Latin, Greek, etc. Each school also offers some optional subjects that may be chosen depending on the interest of the student. The grades and subjects chosen depend on availability at school and on the Principal's decision.
There are usually no classes on afternoons; some Spanish high schools offer optional workshops/extra-curricular activities in the afternoon, which may be at an extra cost. You will be able to inquire about the possible extracurricular activities when you start school in September. Spanish students may attend 10-12 subjects a week. 10th offers a good number of mandatory core subjects, while 11th and 12th offer students to specialize into Science, Social Science or Humanities (as well as Arts in some schools). Some of your subjects would therefore depend on the stream you choose.
Is the Madrid program right for you?
This program may suit you if you:
want to spend your exchange in the Madrid metropolitan area;
are ready to combine academic work with family immersion;
are willing to adapt to a new household and school;
understand that a metropolitan placement does not guarantee a home in central Madrid.
Flexible about your location? Explore our Classic high school exchange in Spain.
Interested in southern Spain? Discover our high school exchange in Andalusia.
To compare the full range, browse our high school abroad programs in Spain.
Participating in extracurricular activities is part of your experience as an exchange student in Madrid!
During your High School exchange in Madrid, you live with a Spanish host family in Madrid Metropolitan Area, providing full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and much more!
Spanish host families are warm, open, and outgoing. They enjoy the opportunity to share their culture, country, and way of life with a young person from another country. Within this high school exchange in Madrid, host families receive a stipend to help them cover their hosting costs. They open you to their home and family and hope to build strong friendships and exchange great moments with you.
Your placement will be in the Madrid metropolitan area, rather than necessarily in central Madrid. Your host community will be the center of your daily experience: where you attend school, get to know classmates, and share life with your host family.
Accommodation during Christmas and Easter holidays is not included. Discuss holiday arrangements and travel costs with Nacel before booking.
Program Dates 2027/2028:
- Trimester: September 5th to December 22nd 2027 (all grades)
- Semester: January 7th 2028 to June 25th 2028 (only Grade 10 students)
- Academic year: September 5th 2027 to June 25th 2028 (all grades)
How to apply for your High School exchange program in Madrid
The application to your exchange program in Madrid is done in six stages:
1. An interview is carried out with you and your family to determine eligibility.
2. Once you complete the booking, we will send you the application forms that will need to be carefully filled out and must be sent back to us.
3. Once you are accepted into the program, we will issue the formal acceptance and start working on your placement.
4. Arrangements are made for your placement and communicated to you.
5. You determine your travel arrangements, and we organize your transfers upon your arrival.
Spanish Student Visa and Travel Requirements
A Spanish student visa is not available for this program due to recent visa restrictions.
- European Union citizens: you may study in a High School in Spain for 3 months, a semester, or a full year.
- Non-European citizens: you can study in a High School in Spain for 3 months only. Consult our dedicated program page.
Select High School exchange in Madrid Metropolitan Area 2027/2028
Prices valid for the 2027/2028 school year.
* Price in Euros per participant.
Not included : Application Fees (65 EUR)
On offer: School Year Abroad Madrid.
💰 What's Included in the Price?
- Administration fees
- Host school placement and local orientation
- Host family accommodation with full board (single room)
- Airport pick-up and transfers to/from host family (Madrid airport): 3 return airport transfers (arrival/departure, Christmas, and Easter)
- Support, assistance and 24/7 Hotline during the whole program
🚫 What's Not Included?
- Round-trip international airfare
- Non compulsory insurances (luggage lost, flight delay etc.)
- Visa, passport and medical exam fees
- Extra language courses
- Books, lockers, laboratories, yearbook, class ring, letter jacket, student activities etc…
- Local transportation from and to school
- Extra activities such as sports, excursions, etc…
- Accommodation during Christmas and Easter holidays, special diets
- Airport transfers different from arrival and departure dates or at another airport
- Domestic flights
- Personal expenses and spending money
Exchange students must be interviewed in their home country before being accepted for a High School exchange in Madrid.
A minimum of two years of Spanish study (A2) and good academic results are required to study in Spain.
Frequently Asked Questions
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In both programs, students are assigned to a host family and attend a local high school. The main difference is the duration of the program and whether the student returns with class certifications. The Nacel Homestay programs are usually shorter (up to 12 weeks) and do not provide class certifications. It is a pure cultural immersion program.
Nacel takes student safety very seriously. Every family presents criminal and police records, IDs, and recommendation letters. Most of our families are recommended by local schools or other host families. In addition, we visit each household to make sure that the conditions and area are adequate to receive international students.
For Nacel, the match with the host family is key. We use a matching system where we pair students and host families based on goals, interests, and hobbies. We understand that cultural differences can affect the relationship, so first we try to mediate and reach a consensus. However, when needed, students are placed with another host family.
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