Guide To Student Visas For Spain

Are you looking to enrol as a student and study in Spain at one of the many great universities?

If you are and currently reside in a country outside of the European Union, you will need to apply for a student visa for Spain.

Spain is a popular destination for those wishing to broaden their horizons and study here while enjoying everything this fabulous country has to offer.

With some of the world’s best universities, historic cities, great nightlife and the opportunity to learn the language while immersing yourself in the Spanish culture, it’s easy to see why Spain is so appealing.

If you are set on coming to Spain to study for more than 90 days, you will most definitely need to apply for a Spanish student visa.

Below we outline everything you need to know about student visas for Spain including:

• What the Spanish student visa is
• Who the student visa is for
• Whether you actually need a student visa for Spain
• How long they last and the different types
• Required documentation when applying
• The cost of a Spanish student visa
• How to apply.

What is a Spanish student visa and who is it for?

The Spanish student visa is a long-term study visa for third-country nationals from outside of the European Union.

The visa also acts as a residence permit which allows non-EU/EEA and Swiss citizens to stay in Spain for more than 90 days while undertaking their studies in a public or private educational facility which will lead to a degree or certificate of study.

You will need to apply for a student visa if you are looking to enrol in any professional education program, postgraduate, masters, PhD or a bachelor’s degree.

The visa is also for those who wish to undertake research activities, participate in a student exchange/mobility program, work as an unpaid intern or carry out volunteer work in Spain.

Do you need a student visa to study in Spain?

Whether you need a student visa depends on your nationality and the length of your studies in Spain.

• Studying up to 90 days:
  If your course lasts 90 days or less, and you are from a visa-exempt country, you do not need a student visa. However, you must obtain an ETIAS travel authorization before entering Spain. ETIAS is not a visa but a mandatory electronic travel authorization for visa-exempt travellers visiting Schengen countries.

• If you are not from a visa-exempt country:
  You will need to apply for a Schengen short-stay (tourist) visa, which also allows travel within the 26 Schengen countries for up to 90 days.

• Studying for more than 90 days:
  If you are a non-EU/EEA citizen and plan to study in Spain for more than 90 days, you must apply for a student visa (long-stay visa) before arriving in Spain.

How long does a Spanish student visa last?

There are two types of Spanish student visa and which one you apply for will depend on the length of your course.

• Short-term student visa – Short-term study visas typically last between 91–180 days.
• Long-term student visa – The long-term visa is for those who wish to study for more than six months or 180 days.

If you are studying in Spain for longer than six months, you will need to obtain a type D student visa and a TIE residence permit (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) within 30 days of your arrival.

The TIE can be acquired from your nearest foreigners’ department or national police station and must be renewed every year up to five years.

Can you work or bring family on a student visa?

Can you work in Spain while studying?

If you are studying for longer than six months and have your TIE card, you will be permitted to carry out part-time work for up to 30 hours per week, although the money should not be used to support yourself during your studies (see income requirements below).

Your employer will need to obtain a work permit for your employment which must not exceed the duration of your student visa. Note that the student visa is not a permanent residence visa. It only allows you to legally stay and carry out temporary employment in Spain for the duration of your studies.

Learn more about working with a student visa.

Can you bring your family with you?

Yes, family members including your spouse, registered partner and dependent children under the age of 18 can join you while you are studying.

In order for them to stay in Spain, they will also need to apply for their TIE (see below) and you must provide proof that you will be able to support them financially during your stay.

Income requirements for a Spanish student visa

You will need to provide proof of sufficient funds to sustain yourself and, if joining you, your family members.

For the main applicant, you must prove that you have 400% of the IPREM (for example, €600.00 per month in 2023) received monthly into your bank account to cover your living expenses, unless you can prove that the accommodation has been paid for in advance for the entire duration of the stay.

For the support of family members in your charge, you must show monthly income of 75% of the IPREM for the first relative (e.g. €450.00), and for each additional family member 50% of the IPREM (e.g. €300.00), unless you can prove that the accommodation has been paid in advance for the entire duration of the stay.

How to get a student visa for Spain

Once you have received an acceptance letter or certificate from the university that you will be attending, you can begin the student visa application process.

You will need to apply for your student visa at your nearest Spanish Consulate or Embassy in the country where you live. Ideally, allow around three months before travelling to Spain to allow sufficient processing time.

The following page provides an interactive map where you can find your nearest Consulate or Embassy in your home country:

https://www.exteriores.gob.es/es/EmbajadasConsulados/Paginas/index.aspx

The exact procedure and contact details vary by country, so you should always follow the instructions on the website of the consulate that covers your place of residence.

Spanish consulates in the UK (example procedure)

If you live in the UK, there are three main consular regions which are covered by London, Manchester and Edinburgh.

You will need to email one of the following addresses, stating in the subject line which visa you are applying for.

London
https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/londres/en/Paginas/index.aspx
cog.londres.residencia@maec.es

Manchester
https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/Manchester/en/Paginas/index.aspx
cog.manchester.vis@maec.es

Edinburgh
https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/edimburgo/en/Paginas/index.aspx
cog.edimburgo@maec.es

What to include when requesting an appointment

In the subject line, you must specify the type of residence visa you wish to apply for.

Within your email, you will need to include:

• The applicant's personal details (full name, nationality, passport number and telephone number)
• The type of residence visa you wish to apply for
• The reasons you are requesting the visa
• Your place of residence in your home country
• Your desired date for the appointment at the Consulate office (only Fridays)

Your appointment time and date will then be confirmed via email.

Applications will be accepted through a representative with a notarised authorisation. In the case of minors, this is done through their parents or legal guardians.

If your application is successful, you must collect your visa within two months from the date of being notified. If you fail to do so, it will be assumed that you have renounced your visa and the procedure will be closed.

Note that only one person may attend an appointment at a time. If family members also wish to apply, they will each need to book an additional appointment.

If you are only studying in Spain for less than 90 days, depending on your nationality, you may need to apply for a Schengen Tourist Visa via the BLS International Visa Management Agency: https://blsspainvisa.com/

You can only apply for a student visa up to 90 days before the desired date of entry into Spain.

You are advised to make an appointment at the Consulate at least 30 days in advance, due to the need for mandatory consultation with the Subdelegación de Gobierno of the place where the studies are going to be carried out.

Required application documents

What documents will you need to submit in order to become a legal student in the country?

• If the student is below 18 years old and does not come accompanied by his or her parents, a legal authorisation signed by them.
• Medical certificate demonstrating that the applicant does not suffer from any disease recognised by the International Health Regulation of 2005.
• Your passport and a copy
• 3 ID photos
• Documentation that accredits the possession of sufficient economic funds
• The document that certifies that the academic institution in which you will be studying has accepted you and you have a place for the next course
• Model EX-00 filled out
• Acceptance or enrollment letter from your university or school
• Private health insurance – proof of private health insurance contracted with a company authorised to operate in Spain. Contact Sanitas for the appropriate private health insurance for your Spanish student visa application.
• Specific information about your accommodation or the place you will be living exactly

Bear in mind that all the documents must be properly legalised and translated into Spanish apart from the health insurance documents which are in Spanish by default.

Applying for your residence permit (TIE)

If you will be studying in Spain for more than six months, you will need to apply for a student residence permit (TIE – Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) via your local Foreigners Office (Oficina de Extranjeros) or national police station.

You will need to book an appointment online at the following web address:

https://icp.administracionelectronica.gob.es/icpplus/index.html

You must do this within 30 days of your arrival in Spain.

You will need to take the following documentation with you to your appointment:

• Passport or national ID which must be valid for a minimum of six months
• Completed application form – download here
• Photocopy of the passport stamp showing your entry into Spain
• Acceptance or enrollment letter from the educational institution confirming your course
• Three recent passport photos
• Census registration (empadronamiento) certificate from your town hall to confirm that you live in Spain

You will also need to pay the €15.92 fee at the following web address:

https://sede.policia.gob.es/Tasa790_012/ImpresoRellenar

Empadronamiento (registering on the padrón)

If you will be living in Spain for six months or more, it is recommended that you register yourself on the padrón (Padrón Municipal de Habitantes) at your local town hall.

It's not obligatory to register if you are staying in Spain for less than six months, however, if you want to obtain your TIE residence card, apply for state healthcare, get a driver’s licence or carry out other administrative tasks, you will need to register.

Registering yourself on the padrón provides you with a number of benefits and allows the local government to receive the correct level of funding from the central government.

You can read more about what the padrón is here:

https://www.healthplanspain.com/blog/expat-tips/87-what-is-empadronamiento.html