Double degree high school Spain-Estonia in Tallinn: what changes for expatriate families

Key data

High school students in Tallinn have had the opportunity since March 10, 2026 to graduate with two official degrees: Spanish high school and Estonian high school. The agreement, signed in Tallinn between the Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Sports of the Kingdom of Spain and the Municipality of Tallinn, was published in the BOE on May 6, 2026.

For Spanish families residing in Estonia, this eliminates a common dilemma: choosing between the educational system of the country of residence or maintaining the link with the Spanish system. Now both options are compatible in a single academic pathway.

What does this regulation establish?

The agreement creates a double high school degree program that allows students to simultaneously complete the requirements of Spanish high school and Estonian high school. This is not a subsequent validation or homologation procedure: the student obtains both degrees upon completing the program.

This type of agreement is typically articulated through Spanish educational centers abroad or bilingual sections integrated into local centers. The program is designed so that graduates can access the university systems of Spain and Estonia with full academic guarantees.

The agreement strengthens Spanish educational presence in Estonia and is part of the policy of support for Spanish centers abroad, which guarantee educational continuity for children of Spanish citizens residing outside Spain.

Economic and operational impact

The agreement does not establish fees or direct costs for families in the published text. Its impact is mainly operational and family planning: Spanish families in Tallinn can now opt for a single educational pathway that meets the requirements of both systems, without needing to manage subsequent homologation procedures.

From the perspective of the educational institutions involved, the agreement requires adapting curriculum programs to simultaneously meet the requirements of Spanish and Estonian high school. This may involve adjustments in teaching staff, materials and academic organization.

For families who had planned to repatriate their children to Spain to complete high school, this agreement can mean significant savings in relocation, accommodation and schooling costs, by allowing the homologated high school to be completed directly in Tallinn.

Who does it affect?

• High school students residing in Tallinn who wish to obtain qualifications valid in Spain and Estonia.
• Spanish families expatriated in Estonia, especially those with children of high school age.
• Spanish educational centers abroad or with bilingual sections in Tallinn, which must implement the program.
• Estonian students interested in accessing the Spanish university system with recognized qualifications.
• HR and international mobility departments of companies with employees transferred to Estonia with families.

Practical example

A Spanish family with a 16-year-old son who moves to Tallinn for work reasons can enroll their son in the double degree program. Upon completing high school, the student obtains both the Spanish and Estonian high school degree, without needing to complete additional homologation procedures.

With the Spanish degree, they can take the EvAU (University Access Evaluation) in Spain and access any Spanish university. With the Estonian degree, they can directly access Estonian universities. Both pathways remain open simultaneously, which significantly expands the student's academic options upon completing high school.

Without this agreement, the family would have to choose between enrolling their son in the Estonian system (with the risk of not having the Spanish high school automatically recognized) or bearing the costs of sending them to Spain to complete high school at a Spanish center.

What should families and schools do now?

1. Identify enabled centers in Tallinn: Contact the Education Office of the Spanish Embassy in Estonia to find out which centers or bilingual sections implement the double degree program.
2. Verify program access requirements: Confirm with the educational center the admission criteria, required language level and structure of the joint curriculum.
3. Plan enrollment in advance: Since the program entered into force on March 10, 2026, it is advisable to manage enrollment for the next academic year as early as possible.
4. Consult university access conditions: Verify with universities of interest in Spain and Estonia the specific admission requirements for graduates of the double high school program.
5. Educational centers: Review the curriculum adjustments, staffing and resources necessary to implement the program in accordance with the requirements of both educational systems.

Official source

Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: Official State Gazette (BOE)