A Complete Guide to the Student Visa for Spain: Requirements, Application & Tips

Latest update: June 2026

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 (e.g. your local Spanish consulate).

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”).

If you are staying for between 90 and 180 days (3-6 months), then the student visa will be valid for the length of your study program.

If you are staying for more than 180 days (6 months), your visa will be valid for the length of your study program plus your vacation period (for example, if you enroll for 24 weeks, your visa will cover those 24 weeks plus your 6 weeks of vacation). You will also be required to get a TIE (Foreigner Identity Card) within 30 days of arriving in Spain. This requires some additional paperwork but 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 month in Spain. If you are interested in long-term (6+ months) 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 2026 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).

Step-by-step guide for Spain student visa application

From May 2025 you must apply for your student visa at a Spanish consulate in your country of residence (applications from within Spain are no longer permitted for language courses).

For a student visa application at a Spanish consulate in your home country, you should follow these steps:

1. Book an appointment at your local Spanish consulate at least 2 months before the date you will start your studies in Spain (find your consulate). Tip: Earlier is better!

2. Gather all your paperwork ahead of your appointment (originals and copies). 

3. 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 varies depending on your nationality (e.g. US citizens $160, UK citizens $460 for 6+ months)

4. Once your student visa is approved, you must arrange to pick it up in person from the same consulate within 2 months. 

Download the Step-by-Step Guide for Relocation to Spain

In addition to the information provided on this page, our comprehensive Step-by-Step Guide for Relocation to Spain offers valuable insights based on real experiences from international students and our team. Reviewed by migration lawyers, it ensures you have the most accurate and up-to-date support throughout the process.

👉 Download the Full Guide to complement your planning and feel fully prepared for your move.

Spain student visa processing time

As stated earlier, you can start the Spain student visa application process 2-6 months 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.  

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 completed TIE application form (Modelo Ex-17)

• 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: 

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.