School, doctors & everyday life: how to make a new start with your family on Mallorca

Family life on Mallorca: sun, school & safety (season 2025/26)

Do you recognise this moment? The alarm clock rings, it's dark and cold and wet outside. We still remember those typical grey winter mornings in northern Europe.

When we decided to make Mallorca our home, it was more than just a move. It was an exchange: grey for blue, hustle and bustle for island time. For families in particular, the south-west of Mallorca - especially around Santa Ponsa and El Toro - is a wonderful place to live. Here, the kids swap their winter boots for trainers and the school bus for a scooter.

But we know from our own experience that as soon as children are involved, the romance in the planning stops. Parents need security. „Is the school good?“, „Do the doctors understand us?“, „Will we get on?“. We take these worries off your hands today. Because with us, you don't just get a house key, you get the key to your new home.

Spoilt for choice: Which school suits us?

This is usually the number one topic when we visit with families. The good news first: you don't have to miss out on anything here. The choice in the south-west is excellent. The challenge lies more in making sure you book in good time, as places are limited for the coming school year. 2025/2026 coveted.

Here are three of our customers' favourites:

1st Baleares International College (BIC) The BIC is located right next to us in Sa Porrassa (Magaluf/Santa Ponsa). The lessons follow the English curriculum. This is fantastic if you want your children to become fluent in English and grow up in a very international environment - ideal for families who think globally.

• The vibe: International, compulsory uniform, large campus.
• The costs: Depending on the year, expect to pay around €10,000 to €15,000 per year.

2. the Eurocampus in Palma The Eurocampus is often a „safe harbour“ for families from German-speaking countries (D/A/CH). It is a partner school of the German School Barcelona. The advantage: your children remain in the German education system. If you later return to your home country, the transition is seamless as the qualifications are recognised. There are school buses that also travel to the south-west.

• The costs: The price is somewhat more favourable, at around €6,000 to €9,000 per year.

3. agora portals Probably the best-known public school on the island is located in Portals Nous. The standards here are extremely high, with a strong focus on sport, music and the International Baccalaureate (IB). It is a Spanish public school with a very strong international focus.

• The costs: Plan around €8,000 to €13,000, plus food and bus.

Our advice: Take a look at the schools. The gut feeling has to be right - not only at the villa, but also in the schoolyard.

Little explorers: Where to take the little ones? (Daycare centres & kindergartens)

The time before school is also taken care of. Don't worry about the language: children are the true heroes of integration and learn very quickly. You have the choice between the Guardería (0-3 years) and pre-school (from 3 years). There are great private centres in the area that are often multilingual (English/Spanish/German). Or you can choose the local Spanish route for total integration. Talk to us, we will be happy to help you find the right place.

Medical care without a language barrier

A big worry for many parents: the child falls ill and you can't explain to the doctor what's going on. In Santa Ponsa, you can cancel this thought. The medical infrastructure here is excellent.

There are international medical centres directly in the southwest. They often speak your native language (be it German, English or French) and will understand your concerns. For more extensive treatment, the modern Juaneda and Rotger clinics in Palma are within easy reach.

How are the children insured? This is one of the most frequently asked questions. There are basically two ways:

1. The employee route (state): As soon as one of you works in Mallorca and is subject to social security contributions (or as a Autónomo is self-employed and pays in), you are in the state Seguridad Social. The good news is that your children (and often also your partner) are insured free of charge. You have access to the health centres (PAC) and hospitals.
2. The privateer route (private): If you earn your living from assets or income from abroad and do not work here, you will need the following for the Residencia private health insurance. Important: Here, each family member usually needs their own contract. The rates in Spain are often very fair compared to other European countries.

Our tip: Many of our customers who have state insurance nevertheless take out private supplementary insurance for their children. This gives them immediate access to specialists without waiting times.

Your questions about starting a family

Do we need two cars? If you live in an urbanisation (housing estate) and have children: Yes, probably. A car is essential for bulk shopping and travelling to sports or friends, even if the bus network is well developed.

Is schooling compulsory? Absolutely. In Spain, schooling is compulsory from the age of 6 to 16. „Homeschooling“ is not legally permitted here. But let's be honest: with the great schools and sports on offer here, the kids usually even enjoy going!

Do you have any questions about life with children on the island? Give us a call or drop by for a coffee.

Maja and Leo