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Why families are moving to Marbella for international schools

More and more families from across Northern Europe are leaving behind urban life and rising school fees to relocate to Marbella. They're finding more than sunshine. They're getting quality education for less, in an environment built for international families.

The cost tipping point

 

Private education costs are climbing across Northern Europe. In the UK, average school fees reached £18,000 per child per year before VAT. New tax policies have pushed total costs far higher, often over £45,000 annually for two children.

It’s a similar story elsewhere. In many countries, families find international programmes either limited or expensive. That’s why more are turning south, where schools in Marbella offer recognised curricula and strong university outcomes for a fraction of the price.

 “Parents are now looking at international schools overseas which . . . offer the same curriculum and are getting students into the same top universities,” – Financial Times

 

Education with a global edge

 

International schools in Marbella are drawing families seeking a broader educational experience. In some classrooms, students from 20 or more countries learn together. For parents, that means exposure to global cultures, multilingual learning, and a peer group preparing for international careers.

Lars, a Swedish tech entrepreneur, moved in 2023. “Here, our children are learning alongside peers from across the world, developing the mindset that will serve them for life,” he says.

Dutch families, too, are opting in.

“Marbella offers better weather, more space, and a strong education offer at a price that makes sense,” says one parent who previously paid €15,000 a year in Amsterdam.

📍 Aloha College Marbella

A new kind of school experience

 

Top schools like Aloha College Marbella (16km from MCH, Benahavís), Swans International (21km from MCH, Benahavís), and Colegio Atalaya (7km from MCH, Benahavís) deliver the British curriculum, IGCSEs and the IB Diploma. Meanwhile, Creators International School (10km from MCH, Benahavís) - opening in 2025 in Benahavís – is aiming to redefine tech-forward education.

“We’re preparing students for jobs that don’t exist yet,” says the school’s director. “Coding, languages, environmental science, entrepreneurship—this is modern education, in a world-class location.”

Many schools include sports, arts, and languages within tuition. Thanks to the climate, these are offered year-round, not seasonally.

Trilingual advantage

 

Most children in Marbella’s international schools speak three languages fluently: their mother tongue, English, and Spanish. That multilingualism has long-term value in global job markets.

“Our daughter speaks Swedish at home, English at school, and Spanish with friends,” says Anna, a consultant based in Stockholm. “She’s developing cultural fluency alongside academic skills.”

📍 Swans School Marbella

Stronger communities, better networks

 

School life has helped build strong international communities. “The school pickup has become the best networking event of my career,” jokes Tom, a Dutch consultant who relocated in 2023.

These expat families often integrate closely with Spanish life. Children act as cultural bridges, learning and sharing local customs. The result is a community that feels global, but grounded.

Source: Courtesy of Aloha College

Marbella’s luxury property market

 

Marbella’s real estate market continues to grow, with the luxury segment showing particularly strong performance. The latest figures point to rising rental yields, steady international demand, and a sharp increase in high-end property transactions.

According to data from agency Panorama, luxury sales in Q1 2024 rose 19.47% compared to the same period in 2019—the last full year before the pandemic.

The 2024 Marbella Real Estate Market Report shows the trend extends across the region. In 2023, luxury home sales in the “Golden Triangle” of Marbella, Estepona and Benahavís totalled 8,243—up 24.55% from 2019. These figures highlight not just a return to form, but a widening global interest in the Costa del Sol’s top-end market.

Reinforcing its international appeal, Marbella was also recently named Best European Destination by European Best Destinations, confirming its position as a leading lifestyle and investment location.

Pricing trends: demand outpaces supply

 

Rising international demand continues to push property values higher. From June 2023 to June 2024, average prices in Marbella increased by 13.7%, reaching €4,812 per square metre, according to data from Panorama. In the luxury segment, the figures are significantly higher: prime villas are priced up to €14,000/m², while the most exclusive frontline beachfront apartments can reach €30,000/m².

These figures reflect the buying power of Marbella’s high-end clientele. Panorama defines luxury properties as those valued over €2 million—and reports that fewer than 10% of these buyers require financing. This points to a market driven by liquidity and long-term investment rather than borrowing.

Planning for the future

 

As remote work becomes increasingly accepted and digital nomadism grows, the model pioneered by these international families may become the new standard for globally mobile professionals.

Emerging trends

Several trends suggest continued growth in education-driven migration:

  • Hybrid education models: Schools offering both in-person and online components, allowing families maximum flexibility
  • University partnerships: International schools developing direct pathways to European and American universities
  • Entrepreneurship programmes: Emphasis on startup culture and innovation, leveraging Spain's growing tech sector
  • Sustainability focus: Environmental education taking advantage of the region's natural setting and commitment to conservation

The Marbella Club Hills advantage

For families considering this lifestyle transition, Marbella Club Hills offers unique advantages:

  • Educational proximity: Easy access to all major international schools within a 20-minute radius
  • Secure environment: Gated community providing peace of mind for parents
  • Natural setting: 95% of the land preserved as natural space, offering children connection to nature
  • Cultural access: Close to both traditional Spanish culture and international amenities
  • Investment potential: Limited development ensuring long-term value appreciation

 

 

Rethinking what international living looks like

 

For a growing number of families, Marbella offers a new model – one where education, lifestyle, and opportunity align.

These aren’t temporary moves but long-term decisions based on giving children a global education while enjoying a more balanced life.

 

Marbella Club Hills is located within the prestigious Marbella Club Golf Resort, and it showcases the market's versatility, from elegant penthouses with sweeping course views to spacious villas designed for family living.

Find out more about the real estate market on the coast in our previous publications: