Catalan in European Schools from 2026: Who Pays and How It Works

Key data

From the 2026/2027 academic year, Catalan officially enters the European Schools System as Another National Language (ONL). The Spanish Ministry of Education fully assumes the salary costs of teachers, reimbursing the European Schools at the end of each academic year. The agreement, signed in Brussels and Madrid on August 27 and 31, 2026 and published in the BOE on October 12, 2026, establishes a gradual implementation model with annual supervision.

What does this regulation establish?

The agreement regulates the introduction of Catalan as Another National Language (ONL) in the European Schools System, a network of educational centers financed by the European Union that primarily educate children of officials from European institutions.

The key points of the model are:

• Full financing by Spain: The Ministry of Education covers all salary costs for Catalan teachers and reimburses the European Schools at the end of each academic year.
• Gradual implementation in two phases: In the first year, local teachers will be hired; from the second year onwards, if demand justifies it, Spanish civil servants on temporary assignment may be incorporated.
• Minimum demand threshold: At least 6 students per group are required for a Catalan class to be opened.
• Differentiated teaching load by stage: 90 minutes weekly in kindergarten and primary; four weekly periods in secondary.
• Annual supervision: A Joint Committee will review the implementation of the agreement each year.
• Budget condition: The implementation of the agreement is subject to Spain's budget availability in each fiscal year.

Economic and operational impact

The economic impact falls exclusively on the budget of the Spanish Ministry of Education. European Schools assume no salary costs: they hire the teachers and Spain reimburses the amount at the end of each academic year.

The agreement does not publish specific total cost figures, as the amount will depend on the number of groups opened in each European School and whether the incorporation of Spanish civil servants on temporary assignment is activated from the second year onwards.

From an operational perspective, the most relevant aspects are:

• The budget availability condition introduces uncertainty about the program's continuity in each fiscal year.
• The threshold of 6 minimum students may limit the opening of groups in European Schools with lower presence of Hispano-Catalan families.
• The transition from local teachers to civil servants on temporary assignment in the second year may generate changes in the teaching staff.
• The Joint Committee has the capacity to adjust implementation annually, which provides flexibility but also implies periodic reviews of conditions.

Who does it affect?

• Hispano-Catalan families residing abroad with children enrolled in European Schools: can request Catalan teaching if the minimum of 6 students per group is reached.
• Catalan teachers: In the first year, the sought profile will be local hired teachers; from the second year onwards, Spanish civil servants with the possibility of temporary assignment.
• European Schools (centers of the official EU network): must organize the teaching schedule according to the agreement parameters and manage reimbursement with the Ministry.
• Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Sports: Assumes the financial burden and supervision through the Joint Committee.
• Autonomous communities with Catalan language (Catalonia, Balearic Islands, Valencian Community): Although not signatory parties, the agreement affects the international projection of their co-official language.

Practical example

Suppose a European School in Brussels where 10 families with primary school-age children have Catalan as their family language reside. By exceeding the minimum threshold of 6 students, the school can open a Catalan ONL group.

During the first academic year (2026/2027), the school will hire a local Catalan teacher. The salary cost of that teacher will be fully reimbursed by the Spanish Ministry of Education at the end of the academic year. Students will receive 90 minutes weekly of Catalan.

If in the second academic year demand is maintained or grows, the Ministry could incorporate a Spanish civil servant on temporary assignment to cover that position, replacing or complementing local teachers. The Joint Committee will review the situation at the end of each academic year.

What should families and teachers do now?

1. Families with children in European Schools: Contact the management of your European School to find out about the possibility of opening a Catalan ONL group. Remember that at least 6 interested students are needed for the group to be established.
2. Catalan teachers abroad: Check the Ministry of Education calls for local teacher positions in European Schools during the 2026/2027 academic year. From the second year onwards, watch for temporary assignment calls for Spanish civil servants.
3. Educational centers (European Schools): Review the agreement requirements for schedule organization (90 minutes in kindergarten/primary, 4 periods in secondary) and prepare the reimbursement procedure with the Ministry.
4. Educational advisors and managers: Follow the resolutions of the Joint Committee, which will supervise annual implementation and may modify the operational conditions of the agreement.
5. All affected parties: Keep in mind that the agreement is subject to budget availability, so it is advisable to confirm the program's continuity at the start of each academic year.

Official source

Consult complete regulation at official source

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-21165