First off, congratulations, seriously! Whether you’ve just been accepted into the BEDA program or you’re thinking about applying, you are truly about to begin an experience that can completely change your life. And yes, I know that sounds cliché, but after living in Spain myself, I genuinely mean it. This blog is meant to answer some common questions, calm some nerves, and hopefully make this whole process feel a little less overwhelming.
That said, always check the official BEDA website for the most updated information, requirements, and policies because programs can change things year to year. You can find their FAQ and official information here -> BEDA Official Website
BEDA Basics
BEDA is a private language assistant program in Spain that places English-speaking auxiliares in bilingual schools. Compared to the public Ministry program (NALCAP/Auxiliares de Conversación), BEDA is generally known for more support, better communication, more structure, and is pretty reliable when it comes to payment.
The program is partnered with private/semi-private schools, the Fundación Ecuménica de Enseñanza, and Universidad Pontificia Comillas. As a BEDA auxiliar, you’ll:
- assist in English classrooms
- work alongside teachers
- live in Spain on a higher studies visa
- complete coursework connected to the program
📍 BEDA Locations
There are over 500 BEDA language assistants placed across hundreds (365 + or less) of schools throughout Spain. Most placements are in Madrid, so if Madrid is your first choice, your chances are usually pretty good. You do select regional preferences when applying, but ultimately, placements depend on availability, school needs, and program decisions. So flexibility definitely helps.
💸 BEDA Payment
One of the biggest advantages people mention about BEDA is the payment consistency. Unlike some public programs where delays can happen, BEDA payments are generally reliable, direct deposited, and paid within the first few days of the following month. Payments go directly into your Spanish bank account.
**Important Payment Notes
In September and June, you typically only work about half the month. So your payment during those months will usually be lower than a normal month.
🏥 BEDA Health Insurance
BEDA provides private health insurance AND access to Spanish public healthcare. Private insurance providers can change year to year, but many auxiliares (myself included) have had providers like Sanitas or Adeslas. Honestly, having the apps alone makes life easier. You can book appointments, schedule online consultations, and manage healthcare information.
🇪🇸 Spanish Social Security (A Huge Benefit)
One thing that makes BEDA different from some other programs is that auxiliares contribute to Seguridad Social. This is important because you gain access to public healthcare, and you receive a Spanish Social Security number. It can help long-term if you later pursue residency or work opportunities in Spain. For many people wanting to stay long-term, this is actually a pretty significant advantage.
💲BEDA Taxes
Since auxiliares contribute to Social Security in Spain, you will generally need to file taxes in Spain. This is something you are responsible for doing on your own, so it’s important to stay organized and keep records of your income and deductions throughout the year. And if you’re coming from the US, keep in mind that American citizens are still required to file taxes back home as well, even while living abroad. This does not necessarily mean you’ll owe taxes in both countries, but you do still have to report your foreign income and file with the IRS.
Basically, Spain wants to know what you earned in Spain, and the US wants to know what you earned worldwide. Fun little international teamwork moment. Tax season in Spain typically runs from April through the end of June each year. During this time, residents and eligible workers file their income taxes for the previous calendar year through the Spanish tax agency, Agencia Tributaria. The deadline is usually around June 30th, though exact dates can vary slightly each year.
🤝🏼 BEDA Orientation & Support
One thing BEDA is known for is support. Compared to some programs where you’re mostly left figuring everything out yourself, BEDA generally helps auxiliares with:
- immigration paperwork
- TIE/NIE guidance
- bank account setup
- orientation sessions
- questions throughout the year
And honestly, having someone actually answer emails is a blessing, especially your first year abroad.
🏫 BEDA School Schedules
Schedules vary by school, but generally classes are in the morning. There also may be a 2hr lunch break, and then additional afternoon classes. A typical schedule can look something like:
- 8 AM–1 PM or 9 AM – 1 PM
- 1 PM-3 PM (lunch)
- 3 PM–5 PM
But again, every school is different. Generally, you probably won’t know your exact school schedule until sometime in September or even October. During the first few weeks of school, many schools operate on half days while they finalize schedules for both students and auxiliares. So a lot of schools are still trying to figure out classroom needs, teacher schedules, and where exactly the language assistants fit in.
The academic school year (for BEDA) usually begins around September 7th and ends around June 11th, but auxiliares often start a little later than the students. For example, in my case, for the 2026–2027 school year, my first official day at school will be September 16th.
So if you arrive in Spain and feel like things are a bit unorganized at first, welcome to Spain. It’s completely normal for schedules, placements, and responsibilities to take a few weeks to fully settle in. Patience and flexibility will honestly become two of your greatest skills while living abroad.
🎓 Comillas Courses (Madrid Placements)
If you’re placed in Madrid, you’ll complete weekly coursework through Universidad Pontificia Comillas. These courses focus on classroom management, lesson planning, teaching methods, and education topics. You may also be required to take Spanish classes unless you already test out with proof of a B1 level or higher. And yes, sometimes they throw in Saturday sessions to personally attack your weekend plans.
For the BEDA program with Universidad Pontificia Comillas, the weekly courses are usually not random chaos, but they’re also not a fixed “everyone on Fridays 6–9 PM” situation. In most cases, the classes for auxes are:
- 1–2 days per week
- 2 to 3 hours per session
- Often scheduled in the afternoon or early evening
- Common time blocks:
- around 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- or 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- sometimes later, depending on the campus and group
Classes are usually held at Comillas campuses in Madrid (depending on your placement group), in university classrooms with other international students or auxiliares, and sometimes grouped by level (A2, B1, B2, etc). So you’re not isolated with just auxes, but you will usually be in a very international mix.
💻 If You’re Outside Madrid
Auxiliares outside Madrid typically complete online coursework, online modules, and Cambridge-related teaching requirements. You may still need to travel to Madrid during the year for exams or required sessions. (usually April)
📝 Collecting Credits with BEDA
When you do the BEDA program through Universidad Pontificia Comillas, you’re often enrolled in university-run courses alongside your auxiliar placement. These courses usually give you ECTS credits (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System), which is the standard university credit system across Europe. But what those credits actually do for you depends a lot on your home university and your long-term plans.
ECTS credits are basically:
- proof you completed academic coursework in Europe
- measured workload units (not just “hours in class”)
- used across European universities for transfer and recognition
Most Comillas courses for auxiliares (Spanish language or content-based classes) come with a set number of ECTS credits once you pass. Can you transfer these credits? Short answer: Maybe yes, maybe no. It depends entirely on:
1. Your home university policies
Some universities accept study abroad credits easily, apply them as electives or language credit or require pre-approval before you go. Others don’t recognize external language courses, only accept credits tied to your major, or require extra paperwork and syllabi review.
2. The type of course you take
There are two main types of courses. 1) Spanish language courses. These are the most likely to transfer because they are structured and graded, they match language learning outcomes, and they align with university foreign language requirements. 2) Content-based courses (in Spanish). These can be more academic or cultural, sometimes easier to justify as electives, but more hit-or-miss for transfer approval. Some universities love them. Others treat them like “nice extra learning, but not credit-worthy.”
💰 The BEDA Enrollment Fee (Subject to Change)
This part confuses a lot of people, so let’s simplify it. The enrollment fee is NOT a deposit and is NOT refundable. It covers the academic coursework portion, university sponsorship, and program administration. As of 2026:
- 1st year: approx €230
- 2nd year: approx €150
- 3rd year: approx €125
- 4th year: approx €125
**Again, always verify current prices with BEDA directly.
⏰ Why Do You Need to Pay So Quickly?
BEDA usually asks accepted applicants to pay within a few days. (usually 3-7) This is basically their way of confirming you’re serious, you plan to come, and you want to secure your placement. If you don’t confirm your acceptance via email and/or your payment isn’t made, your spot may go to someone on the waitlist.
💳 How to Pay the Enrollment Fee
If you’re outside Spain, many people use Wise. It’s usually cheaper, faster, and easier than traditional international bank transfers. If you already live in Spain, you can usually pay via Spanish bank transfer or online banking. Just make sure your name and NIE number are included in the transfer details. If you decide to use my Wise link, you can get a fee-free transfer up to $500, and I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
📧 BEDA, So What’s Next?
Usually, once you send your proof of payment along with the initial enrollment paperwork, BEDA will keep you updated by email with the next steps. From there, it’s mostly about staying on top of your inbox. It’s one of those processes where missing an email can slow everything down, so it’s worth checking regularly.
If you have questions, BEDA is generally very responsive and will usually get back to you within about 48 hours, which honestly makes a huge difference during such a bureaucratic process. After that, it becomes a mix of waiting and checking emails a little too often, basically an email roller coaster until everything is confirmed and finalized.
Starting this journey can feel exciting, terrifying, and overwhelming, usually all at the same time. And while no program is perfect, BEDA can provide a really supportive transition into life abroad, especially if this is your first time living overseas, you want more structure, and you appreciate guidance through Spanish bureaucracy. There will absolutely be moments where you feel confused, but trust me, eventually, things that feel impossible now become part of your normal routine.
If you’re curious to know about the BEDA Timeline or even my interview process, read these blogs -> The BEDA Timeline: What the Process Actually Looked Like for Me, and BEDA Madrid: The Application Process + Interview.
Love always,
American Girl Meets World
