Requirements to study in Spain

With its world-class universities, diverse cultural landscape, and rich history, Spain is a top education destination in Europe. If you are considering studying abroad or attending school in Europe, you may be interested in the educational opportunities available in Spain. As a non-European student from outside the Schengen area, you will likely need some form of Spain student visa in order to study in Spain. In general, there are two pathways to receiving a Spanish student visa—eligible candidates can apply for either a Schengen visa or a National Spanish visa. Read on for general information about how to apply for a visa, Spain study visa requirements (including the visa and entry requirements into Spain) and for information on the application process for universities in Spain. 

Visa and entry requirements into Spain

 

• • If you are a citizen of a state that is not in the EU or Schengen area, you may need a visa in order to enter Spain, particularly if you are from country that does not have visa-free access to the Schengen area. For a list of countries whose nationals need a visa to enter the Schengen area, click here.  

• • Additionally, even if your country has visa-free access to the Schengen area, you will likely need a visa in order to stay long term in the country for the purpose of studying. 

• • Ultimately, if you are a citizen of a non-Schengen country lacking visa-free access to the Schengen area and you are looking to study in Spain, you have two main pathways to Spanish immigration: a Schengen visa or a national visa from Spain. 

Spanish National Visa

 

• • If you intend to enroll in a Spanish school as a degree-seeking student, either in college or a post-graduate program, you will likely need to apply for a National Spanish visa, which will allow you to spend more than 90 days in Spain. National visas are long stay visas (in contrast to Schengen short-stay visas).  

• • In order to be eligible to apply for a national student visa for Spain, you must apply and be accepted into a school in the country.  

• • Being approved for a Spanish National student visa will allow you to enter the country. Once you have arrived in Spain, you can formally apply for residency, which is necessary in order to continue living and studying in the country.  

How to apply for a Spanish National Visa

 

• • Decide what program/degree you would like to apply for and pay close attention to its duration of time. If you can’t complete your course/degree in under 90 days or fewer, you should apply for a Spanish National visa. 

• • Students seeking to apply for a national visa for Spain should undertake the following process:

     

    • • 1. Determine where to apply:

         

        • • Apply for a visa via-the Spanish Embassy, Consulate, or visa application center that is closet to you in your country of residence.
        • • Different Spanish missions in different countries will likely have different application processes. You should contact the Spanish Embassy in your respective country for specific information on how to apply for your visa. 
        • • Regardless of where you are applying from, you will almost certainly have to make a personal appearance at the Spanish Embassy/consulate/visa application center you are applying through in order to have your biometric information taken (fingerprints and photo). 

    • • 2. Apply for admission into your Spanish university/program:

         

        • • Spanish universities usually have a number of pre-requisites you must fulfil in order to be eligible to apply for entry into their schools/programs. 
        • • For example, your specific program/course may ask you to demonstrate a level of Spanish language fluency before your application can be otherwise considered.    
        • • Look into the specific pre-requisites for entry into the particular Spanish school/course you intend to apply to, and make sure you can fulfill them as part of your application.

    • • 3. Apply for a visa to Spain:

         

        • • Fill out your national visa application form for Spain. Regardless of where you are applying from, the majority of countries should accept the following form, accessible here.
        • • Print out and fill out the above form. Select “Studies” as the main purpose of your journey and fill out all the information about the particular educational establishment you are applying to.  
        • • Pay the Spanish student visa fee ($73 for most applicants).
        • • Contact the specific Spanish Embassy you are applying through and make sure they will accept the above form before you apply. Some Spanish Embassies may require you to go through an online application process, so it’s good to check before undertaking any application process!  

    • • 4. Travel to Spain:

         

        • • When you receive your visa for Spain, you can travel to the country and formalize your stay. Once you successfully enter the country, you can formally apply for temporary Spanish residency, which will allow you to stay and continue your studies. 
        • • Once you receive your residency, you can apply for a Foreign Student Identity Card, at the police station or foreigners office in your respective residency jurisdiction. 
        • • Once you are firmly settled in Spain, you can apply for additional visas/permits allowing you to work in the country (if you intend to work while as a student in Spain, you will likely need to apply for a work permit as a foreigner on a student visa). 

How to study in Spain? Application process for universities in Spain

• • While different universities have different application processes, in general, foreign applicants must meet certain academic requirements to study in Spain, relating to language and other scholastic standards. 

• • For example, if you are applying for a master’s degree program at the University of Barcelona (one of the country’s most popular universities for foreign students), and you received your bachelor’s degree from a country other than Spain, your degree must be verified and authenticated before you can be considered an eligible candidate. This process varies depending on the location of the university you received your degree from—for more information, click here.

• • Application processes will also vary depending on the type and level of degree you are applying for. For example, if you are applying to a Spanish university for a Spanish language program with a duration of only two months, your application process will likely be considerably less complicated and time consuming than if you are trying to apply for a bachelor’s degree, master’s, or higher education equivalent at a top Spanish university. 

• • Therefore, research the Spanish university you want to study at and the particular course/program you are interested in order to have an idea of what your specific application process will entail. 

Spanish Student Visa

 

• • In addition to the basic required documents (such as passport and visa fees), applicants for national Spanish student visas must provide the following additional documents:

     

    • • Official acceptance letter from Spanish university. This should include not just proof of acceptance, but also specific information about the duration of your intended program. 
    • • If a minor, consent from a parent/parental guardian for the child to study in Spain.
    • • Proof that you have no criminal history.
    • • Proof of medical insurance (most Spanish universities will require you to present proof of travel medical insurance in order to register for classes).   

Spain Schengen Visa

 

• • A Spanish Schengen visa is a good option for students looking to enroll in a short-term course of study. This is because Spain Schengen visas are available for a period of up to 90 days, meaning that if you travel to Spain with one, you will not be able to stay in the country for longer than 90 days, even if your course of study exceeds that period. 

• • Another unique benefit of a Spanish Schengen visa is that it is valid for travel throughout the entire Schengen area, meaning that if you receive one you may visit all of the 26-countries in the bloc. 

• • If you are satisfied with spending 90 days or fewer in Spain for study purposes, you should apply for a Schengen Student visa from Spain. 

what are the entry requirements for Spain

Spain visas requirements

 

• • Schengen Spain visas requirements typically include the following:

     

    • • Passport 
    • • Biometric information (two passport-sized photos of yourself and fingerprints) 
    • • Schengen visa application 
    • • Proof that you can financially support yourself in Spain 
    • • Proof that you have obtained travel medical insurance to cover you in the event you experience a medical event in Spain
    • • Proof of your acceptance into an educational program/course in Spain 
    • • Schengen visa fee (as a student, you may be exempt from some or all of the costs associated with your Schengen Student visa. For complete information on Schengen visa fees, click here

• • For general information on how to apply for a Schengen Spain student visa, including a complete list of documents required for student visa applicants, click here.