How Much Money Do You Need To Study Spanish in Spain?

Contents

• Key factors affecting your costs in Spain

• Sample budget for 1 month studying Spanish in Spain

• Tips for saving money in Spain

• The benefits of studying in Spain

• FAQs

Key factors that affect your living costs in Spain

Let’s first look at some of the main things that will influence the cost of studying Spanish in Spain as an international student. We’ve included some examples to help you start planning.

Course fees

This is likely to be one of your largest outlays when you study in Spain. For language courses, the amount you pay in tuition fees will depend on a number of factors such as:

• Duration (how many weeks the course is)

• Intensity (number of lessons per week)

• Type (e.g. group, private, specialist subject or exam preparation etc)

• Extras (e.g. insurance, excursions)

Example: An intensive group Spanish course with 20 lessons per week typically costs between €200-€300 per week.

City choice

There are many great places to study in Spain - from cool cosmopolitan Madrid, artsy powerhouse Barcelona, laid back Mediterranean cities Málaga and Valencia, cultural hub Sevill and more… There is something for everyone’s interests and taste, but the choice will also likely affect your living costs. In general, you can expect to pay a bit more in the largest cities like Madrid and Barcelona than in other places, though that doesn’t mean you can keep spending down (see our tips for saving money below!). 

Example: As of December 2024, the cost of living in Málaga is estimated to be 13.5% lower than in Madrid.

Housing

Accommodation is another key factor and one of the largest expenses when living and studying in Spain. The rent prices for international students in Spain will depend on several factors, including the city you study in, how close you are to the city centre, the type of housing, and what is included (e.g. bills, cleaning).

Example housing options (p/month): 

• Room in a shared apartment - €400-€700

• Student residencies - €500-€800

• Stay with host family (including meals) - €600-€900

• Private studio/apartment - €700-€1,500

Basic living expenses

After rent, your core living expenses are things like food & drink, public transport and leisure activities (e.g. cinema, sports, nightlife). If you are planning a longer-term course then you might also consider expenses such as a local mobile phone plan or gym membership. 

Example costs (p/month):

• Food shopping - €200-€300

• Transport - €30-€50

• Leisure activities - €150-€200

Additional costs

Of course, there are plenty of other things you might need to spend money on when you take a long-term language course in Spain. This includes medical coverage/private health insurance, visa fees and other bureaucratic expenses and buying the materials you need to complete your studies. 

Examples:

- Health insurance - €30-€50 p/month (if not already covered)

- Study materials - €20-€50 (one-time cost)

- Visa fees - €50-€150 (if required).

Sample budget - Cost to study Spanish in Spain for a month

Tips for Saving Money as a Student in Spain

There are several different ways to limit the monthly expenses for students studying Spanish in Spain. Here are five tips for managing your budget:

Use public transportation

Most Spanish cities have good and affordable public transport networks, making it easy to get around on a bus, metro, tram and light rail. Find out about local travel cards as some offer much cheaper fares than single tickets. Some cities like Madrid and Barcelona include special discount travel cards for students and/or young people. This ends up being much cheaper than taxi services or even parking your own vehicle.

Get on your bike!

Bike-sharing services are available in most Spanish cities and are cheap to use. Most cities have also made good progress in adding bike lanes that make it very easy to get around safely on two wheels. It’s a fun and affordable way to explore your host city while also getting some exercise.

Make the most of free activities

Spain’s welcoming climate makes it easy to take advantage of outdoor attractions and free public spaces like parks and beaches. Local museums and cultural spaces also often have free admission on some days or free exhibitions (also always ask about student discounts). There are usually lots of street festivals and other free events like language exchanges taking place in major cities - practice your Spanish and ask around to find out what’s going on near you!

Cook meals

Though dining in restaurants is relatively affordable in Spain compared to the US or other northern European countries, you can stretch your budget even further by preparing your own meals at home. In most Spanish cities you can find fresh and affordable local produce at municipal markets. It’s a money saver and a great way to learn some traditional Spanish recipes! Of course, eating out is fun sometimes. Sharing tapas is a good way to keep costs down, and at lunchtime many bars and restaurants will offer inexpensive set menus “menu del día” 

Choose suitable accommodation

As one of the biggest monthly outlays, it’s worth investigating how you can contain the cost of student accommodation in Spain while studying Spanish. Obviously a luxury penthouse flat in the centre of a large city is going to be quite expensive. But there are also affordable student housing options in Spain for Spanish learners, perhaps in quieter suburbs (though still within easy reach of the city centre). Language schools also offer affordable housing options. For example, sharing an apartment with other students or staying with a host family (with meals included) are good ways to contain living costs and get a more immersive experience while studying in Spain.

Why Studying in Spain is Worth It

Studying abroad is always going to imply some costs, but the experience is really worth it. There really is no better way to learn a language quickly while also immersing yourself in the local culture and meeting interesting people from all over the world. Moreover, studying in Spain offers good value for money compared to similar programs in other countries, and with the money-saving tips above it’s easily possible to keep living costs down.