Central Madrid saw around 25,000 teachers, parents and students march from Atocha to Puerta del Sol this week as an indefinite strike began across the region's public schools. For anyone visiting the Spanish capital in the coming weeks, the action means a visible protest presence and occasional road disruptions rather than any impact on museums, restaurants or transport links.
The march revived the Marea Verde — the 'Green Tide' movement in defence of public education — with teachers in green shirts joined by early-years educators in yellow, who have now been on their own indefinite strike for roughly six months. Organisers claimed around 70% turnout among the region's roughly 65,000 public school teachers; the regional government put it at 44.6%. Another march along the same Atocha–Sol route is planned for Friday.
What are they striking over? A mix of pay and conditions: a €600 monthly salary increase, fewer classroom teaching hours (from 19 to 17 weekly for secondary staff, 25 to 22 for nursery and primary), smaller classes — a maximum of 20 pupils at secondary level versus the current 25 to 30 — more support for children with additional needs, and investment in ageing school buildings, including asbestos removal. Unions point out that Madrid, despite Spain's highest GDP per person, spends the least per pupil: €6,502 annually against a national average of €7,943.
The regional government under Isabel Díaz Ayuso calls the strike politically motivated, pointing to a 2025 agreement already phasing in reduced hours and smaller classes, and to Madrid's strong PISA results. Negotiations have opened on a career progression scheme offering increases of up to €350 a month, but unions haven't backed down.
The strike covers all public non-university education — nurseries, schools, vocational training, music conservatoires, language schools — affecting more than 757,000 pupils. Older students can legally join collective action, and universities held a separate one-day solidarity stoppage that saw police clash with a picket at Complutense, with five arrests.
For travellers: expect possible march routes and police presence around Puerta del Sol, the Paseo del Prado and Cibeles on strike days, and road blockades that could slow journeys across the city centre. Monitor local news if you have appointments or transfers through central Madrid — otherwise the city carries on as normal for visitors.
