A Complete Guide to the Student Visa for Spain: Requirements, Application & Tips
Introduction
At Expanish, we have plenty of experience helping international students realize their dream of studying in Spain. That means we know how daunting it can be to get all your paperwork in order and navigate the bureaucratic visa process. So here’s a helpful guide on how to apply for a student visa for Spain.
In this guide we will:
Detail the basic requirements to get a student visa for Spain
Give a step-by-step guide for the Spain student visa application process
Provide useful tips and recommendations based on real-life experience
Answer some of the most common questions about student visas in Spain
DISCLAIMER: This is an informative guide, based on available information from official government and other sources. It does not offer any rights or guarantees. Rules can change over time, and vary in different countries or regions, so always check information and requirements with official sources.
What is a Student Visa for Spain?
All non-EU/EEA citizens will need to apply for a visa if they intend to be in Spain for more than 90 days. If you’re unsure, you can use this free online visa calculator to help you determine exactly when you will reach the 90-day limit.
That means that if you are interested in a study program that lasts longer than 90 days then you will need to apply for a student visa (“visado de estudios”).
Types of Spain Student Visas Available
The specific student visa you need will depend on how long you intend to stay in the country:
Between 90 and 180 days: You must apply for a short-term (type C) student visa. This allows you to stay and study in Spain for a maximum of 6 months (180 days) and cannot be extended. This is the visa you would need for a 3-6 month language course in Spain.
With this visa you will get a NIE (Foreigner Identity Number) that can be used for a number of tasks in Spain (e.g. renting accommodation, hiring/buying a car, opening a local bank account).
More than 180 days: You must apply for a type D student visa if you will stay for longer than 6 months. This requires some additional paperwork but enables you to get a TIE (Foreigner Identity Card), which will allow you to enter and leave Spain while your visa is valid. You must request the TIE at your local immigration office during your first 30 days in Spain. If you are interested in long-term language programs in Spain this is the visa you will need.
Spain student visa requirements for international students (non-EU/EEA)
Before we run through the complete visa application process and documentation you need to submit, here’s a quick summary of the basic requirements for getting a student visa for Spain.
To apply for a Spain student visa you must:
Not be a citizen of the EU/EEA.
Not be forbidden from entry into Spain, or if you are already in Spain then you must have a legal and valid immigration status (and apply at least one month before your existing status expires).
Be able to support yourself financially for the length of your studies in Spain. This typically requires showing income/savings that are a minimum 100% of Spain’s official IPREM index (in 2024 this is €600 per month), though the figure may be lower if you can prove that you have already paid all the accommodation fees for the full duration of your stay up front.
Have full health insurance cover taken with an insurance company that is authorized to operate in Spain. This must be valid for the entire duration of your stay in Spain and include minimum coverage of €30,000. Note that travel insurance will not be valid for this, even if it includes medical assistance cover. (More information here: Health insurance requirements for student visa in Spain).
Have already been accepted to a Spanish educational institution or program, such as a language course, at a study center that is registered in Spain (That’s us!😉).
Have a clear criminal record in Spain and in any country you’ve lived in during the 5 years prior to apply for a student visa.
Documents needed for Spain student visa
These are the documents you will need to gather and submit for your student visa application:
A completed student visa application form - Modelo Ex-00
A valid passport - the expiry date must be at least 3 months after the end of your planned stay in Spain.
3 recent passport size photos
Bank statements showing proof of economic means - the total sum for your entire stay in Spain (min. €600 per month) should be in your bank account before you apply for the visa.
Health insurance plan - this can be public or private but should provide the same health coverage as the Spanish national health system, without co-payments (copagos), deductibles or waiting periods.
Letter of acceptance - Issued by the educational institution in Spain you will be studying at (Expanish will provide this for Spanish courses with 20+ lessons a week, on receipt of payment).
Proof of housing in Spain - you must show you have accommodation booked for at least the first 4 weeks of your stay in Spain (TIP: Expanish offers its long-term students housing for the first 4 weeks specifically for this purpose!)
Parental authorization (for under-18s) - this must include all the details about the study program and length of stay in Spain.
***ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS FOR TYPE D STUDENT VISAS (180+ DAYS)***
A medical certificate - Signed by a registered doctor in your country stating that you are in good health. The wording of this - in English and in Spanish – must be precise. Find out what your local consulate requires.
A criminal record check - This must be issued by the competent authorities in all countries that you have resided in for the 5 years prior to the visa application. Only for adults (18+ years).
Important!
You should have photocopies of every submitted document (including your passport)
All documents will need to be translated into Spanish by an official translator.
Public documents will need to be legalized (apostilled) in the country that issued them.
If the applicant is a minor, a parent or legal representative must sign the application form and provide ID documents/authorization.
Step-by-step guide for Spain student visa application
Applying from outside Spain
For a student visa application at a Spanish consulate in your home country, you should follow these steps:
Book an appointment at your local Spanish consulate for 30-90 days before the start of your studies in Spain(find your consulate)
Gather all your paperwork ahead of your appointment (originals and copies).
Submit your application in person (under 18s must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian). This is when you can also pay the visa fee, which is typically the equivalent of €80.
Once your student visa is approved, you must arrange to pick it up in person from the same consulate within 2 months.
Applying from within Spain
You can do this if you are already in Spain legally (e.g. as a tourist), and you have at least 30 days before your existing visa/status expires. In this case you should seek an appointment at the local immigration office (oficina de extranjería) in the city or province where you want to start your studies. You can start the process here. The paperwork to be submitted will likely be the same as above, but always check with your local immigration office first.
Spain student visa processing time and cost
As stated earlier, you can start the Spain student visa application process up to 90 days before the start of your study program. Once you have submitted the application you should receive an answer within around 1 month, though this period may be extended if additional documentation is required.
🔥TIP: We recommend you start gathering paperwork as soon as possible as this can take some time, especially when you factor in the translation and legalization of some documents.
The student visa fee is typically €80 or the equivalent in your local currency.
What to do once you are in Spain with a student visa
How to get your TIE
Your student visa should include your Foreigner Identification Number (NIE), which is needed for getting most things done when you arrive in Spain. This includes renting accommodation, opening a Spanish bank account or getting a local mobile phone contract.
If you’re coming to Spain on a student visa that lasts longer than 180 days, you must apply for a Foreigner's Identity Card (Tarjeta de Identidad Extranjera, TIE) from the local immigration office within 30 days of arriving. This is the physical object that contains your personal information – including your NIE – and visa details. It is a valid ID card within Spain.
To get a TIE you will need to book an appointment in advance and gather the relevant paperwork (originals and copies), as below:
The appointment booking (printed)
A photocopy of the passport stamp showing your entry into Spain.
The letter of acceptance from the educational institute (Expanish can provide this)
3 recent passport photos (in color)
Proof of payment of the TIE application fee (Tasa Modelo 790 código 12, select ‘TIE que documenta la primera concesión de la autorización de residencia temporal, de estancia o para trabajadores transfronterizos en España por un periodo superior a seis meses’) – currently €16.03.
The empadronamiento certificate (a document from the town hall registering your fixed address in Spain).
🔥Hot tip: TIE appointments fill up quickly, so try booking one online even before you get to Spain to ensure you get a spot within 30 days of arrival. Another option is to travel to a different immigration office in the region.🔥
Renewing your student visa
If you wish to continue your studies in Spain beyond the length allowed by your initial student visa you have the option of applying to renew your visa. To do so you must comply with the following requirements (many are similar to the initial visa application):
A valid passport and legal residency status.
Sufficient economic means to support yourself for the duration of your new student visa.
Full health insurance coverage for the length of the new visa.
Confirmation that you are still enrolled with the education institution.
Evidence that you have been advancing in your studies (e.g. certificates for completing a course module or passing an exam, documents showing progress in an investigation etc.)
To renew an existing visa you must also show evidence that you will continue to study in a related field.
The application process follows the same steps as applying for the initial visa within Spain, including submitting the same application form Modelo Ex-00 (this time you select the box for “prórroga”. The visa renewal fee (currently around €17.50) can be paid via the Tasa Modelo 790 Tasa 52, available here.
Can I work with a student visa in Spain?
Working while still a student
Your student visa gives you the right to work part-time (up to 30 hours a week), provided it does not affect the completion of your studies. Moreover, if your visa was issued after August 2022 then you are automatically authorised to work while studying, and not required to obtain an additional work permit as was the case previously.
However, please be aware that you remain primarily a student and should not rely on work in Spain as your primary source of income. In practice, this means that any income from work you do in Spain will not be taken into account when assessing if you have the economic means to support yourself while studying in the country.
Please keep in mind the following key conditions for working with a student visa in Spain:
Any work you do must be fully compatible with you continuing with your studies.
The job must be part time (maximum of 30 hours per week). A temporary full-time position is sometimes possible for up to three months but only at times when you’re not in class (e.g. during the Summer break).
You must have the necessary professional qualifications or experience to carry out the job in question.
Working after you’ve completed your studies
Once you complete your studies it's also possible to convert your student visa to a work visa. There are several options available:
Apply to change your student visa for a residency with a work permit - you can do this immediately after you have completed your studies in Spain.To get a permit as an employee (trabajo por cuenta ajena) you need a job offer from a local company, and you must apply with the regional authorities where you will be working. To apply for a permit as a self-employed worker (trabajo por cuenta propia) you must submit a realistic business plan and show proof of sufficient financial means or backing to implement it.
Apply for a work permit as a “highly-skilled professional” - This requires having studied for a least one year in Spain and receiving a job offer in a managerial or technical role with an annual salary of at least €40,000.
Apply for a 12-month, non-renewable ‘job search’ permit - You can do this immediately after completing a university bachelors or master’s degree (or other Level 6 and higher qualifications as per the European Qualifications Framework). For this you need to have successfully completed your study program and possess sufficient funds to support yourself financially for one year (€7,200) while you search for a job or set up a new business. Once you receive a job offer you can change this for a regular work visa.
Alternative options for staying in Spain once your student visa expires include applying for an internship permit or a digital nomad visa.
What should I do if my visa application is denied?
If this happens, you should get in touch with us at Expanish as soon as possible. Depending on the reason for the denial, we may be able to help with an appeal.
If this is not possible, then you should send us the official denial to claim a refund:
If we receive the denial more than 15 days before the start of your program, we will issue a full refund with the exception of a cancellation fee.
If this is done with less than 15 days before the start of your program, we will issue a partial refund with less than 25% of the total amount.
How long does the student visa last?
Student visas in Spain last for as long as the study program you are enrolled in, up to a maximum of one year (or two years for long-term higher education courses).
If you want to continue studying in Spain after your original program ends, you can renew your student visa within 60 days before it expires and up to 90 days after the expiration date. You can do this within Spain, and will need to have your original visa, another acceptance letter proving continued studies, and submit similar documentation as for the original visa application (medical insurance, proof of funds etc.)
What are the financial requirements for a Spain student visa?
The basic requirement to show you can support yourself financially while studying in Spain is to have at least 100% of the minimum income indicator used in Spain (IPREM) as a reference for immigration and public benefits. This is reviewed annually in the national budget, but in 2024 stands at €600 per month (around US$650).
You need to show you have this amount for each month of your planned study programme in Spain. So if you’re planning on a nine-month course, you would usually need to have at least €5,400 (€600 x 9) in savings at the time of your application. These funds can also be provided by a parent or legal guardian on your behalf.
You should take up to date bank statements of an account in your name to your student visa appointment to prove you have sufficient financial means for your entire stay. Please note that your Spanish consulate or local immigration office may set out different requirements so please check with them.
What are the health insurance requirements for a student visa in Spain
The minimum requirements for health insurance cover are as follows:
It must be taken out with a licensed provider that is authorized to operate within Spain.
It should provide the same health coverage as the Spanish national health system, without co-payments (copagos), deductibles or waiting periods.
It should have a minimum coverage of €30,000 and be valid for your entire stay in Spain.
Travel insurance with medical assistance cover is not accepted.
Can my relatives stay in Spain with me while I'm studying?
The following family members may obtain a visa to accompany the student:
The spouse or unmarried partner.
Children who are minors or who have a disability.
Note that visas for a student’s family members do not constitute work permits.
You must show evidence of additional funds to support any family members that accompany you during your stay in Spain. The minimum requirement is an extra 75% of the IPREM for the first family member and 50% of the IPREM for each additional member.
