Spain student visa: Complete guide 2026

What Is the Spain Student Visa?

The Spain Student Visa is a Type D national long-stay visa (visado nacional) required for non-EU/EEA citizens who plan to study in Spain for more than 90 days. It covers university degrees, language courses, vocational training, internships, research programs, and volunteer placements at recognized institutions.

Who Is It For?

• Nationality: Non-EU/EEA citizens.

  
  

• Study program: You must be accepted into a full-time program at an institution recognized by the Spanish public administration. For Spanish language courses, the school must be officially accredited by the Instituto Cervantes.

  
  

• Financial means: You must demonstrate a minimum of €600 per month (100% of the monthly IPREM for 2025) for the duration of your stay. If accommodation for the full stay has been paid in advance, this amount may be reduced.

What the Visa Allows

• Residency: The visa allows you to live in Spain for the duration of your course. If your course lasts up to 6 months, the visa covers the entire stay, and no further steps are needed. If your course exceeds 6 months, you must apply for a TIE within one month of arriving in Spain. The TIE is your stay authorization and is renewed annually from within Spain as long as you remain enrolled. You do not need to return to a consulate for a new visa each year.

  
  

• Work: Students enrolled in higher education programs may work up to 30 hours per week. Students on language courses or vocational training programs do not have automatic work rights and must obtain separate authorization. Work must not interfere with studies.

  
  

• Schengen travel: The student visa allows travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

  
  

• Dependents: A spouse or unmarried partner, minor children, and children with a disability may apply for accompanying visas. Family member applications cannot be processed simultaneously with the student's application. They must be submitted after the student has obtained the visa.

Documents You'll Need to Prepare

All non-Spanish documents must be translated into Spanish by a sworn translator and apostilled or legalized as appropriate. Originals and copies are required unless otherwise stated.

• Application form: The national visa application form, completed and signed. Download it directly from your consulate's website.

  
  

• Passport: Valid for at least one year from the date of application, with at least two blank pages.

  
  

• Proof of enrollment: An official acceptance letter from the educational institution confirming the program name, duration, start and end dates, full-time attendance, and proof that enrollment fees have been paid.

  
  

• Proof of financial means: Bank statements showing a minimum balance of €600 per month of your stay. Sponsorship from a parent or legal guardian is accepted, with notarized and apostilled documentation.

  
  

• Health insurance: A comprehensive policy valid in Spain for the full duration of the stay. It must cover hospitalization and repatriation with a minimum coverage of €30,000.

  
  

• Medical certificate: A signed statement from a doctor confirming you do not have any serious contagious disease. Generally required for stays exceeding 6 months, though some consulates require it regardless of stay length. Check with your specific consulate.

  
  

• Criminal record certificate: Required for applicants over 18, for stays exceeding 6 months. Must be issued within the past 3 months and cover every country in which you have lived for the past 5 years.

  
  

• Proof of accommodation: A rental contract, university or school housing confirmation, or a notarized letter from a host in Spain, along with a copy of their ID and proof of their address. You must show accommodation for at least the first 4 weeks of your stay.

Step-by-Step Application Process

Step 1: Secure enrollment

Obtain an official acceptance letter from your Spanish institution. This is required before you can apply for the visa.

Step 2: Gather your documents

Prepare all required documents. Criminal record certificates and apostilles can take several weeks, so start early. All documents must be translated into Spanish before submission.

Step 3: Book an appointment

Contact the Spanish consulate or embassy in your country of residence to schedule an appointment. Applications must be submitted in person. Apply no earlier than 90 days before your course start date and no later than 30 days before.

Step 4: Attend your appointment

Attend the appointment with all required documents. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Pay the visa fee at this stage.

Step 5: Wait for a decision

Processing takes at least one month. If approved, you will be notified to collect your visa. If denied, you will receive a written reason.

Step 6: Travel to Spain

Enter Spain through an authorized border crossing. If your stay exceeds 6 months, you must apply for your TIE at the local immigration office or police station within one month of arrival.

Costs and Fees

The visa fee is approximately €80 for most nationalities, though it varies depending on your nationality and the consulate. Fees are non-refundable. Check the exact amount with your consulate before applying, as fees are updated annually.

Additional costs to budget for include sworn translations, apostille certifications, health insurance (typically €400-600 per year), and the TIE card on arrival (~€16).

Good to Know

Short stays: Study stays under 90 days do not require a student visa. Depending on your nationality, a Schengen short-stay visa may be required instead.

Application window: You may apply no earlier than 90 days and no later than 30 days before your course start date. Given consulate appointment availability and processing time, applying 2 to 3 months in advance is strongly recommended.

Language of documents: All documents submitted must be in Spanish or accompanied by a certified translation by a sworn translator. Documents not meeting this requirement will be rejected.

Renewals: The student visa can be renewed if you continue to meet all eligibility requirements. For language course visas, renewal is permitted only once, making the maximum total stay two years. A Spanish language exam (DELE or SIELE) is required for renewal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work in Spain on a student visa?

It depends on your program. Students in higher education may work up to 30 hours per week. Students on language courses or vocational training programs do not have automatic work rights and must obtain separate authorization.

Can I apply for the visa while already in Spain?

Since May 20, 2025, you must apply at a Spanish consulate in your country of residence. You cannot apply from within Spain.

What is the TIE, and do I need one?

The TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) is your official residency card in Spain. It is required if your stay exceeds 6 months and must be applied for within one month of arriving in Spain.

Can I bring my family?

Yes. A spouse, an unmarried partner, minor children, and children with a disability can apply for accompanying visas. Their applications must be submitted after you have obtained your student visa, not at the same time.

What happens if my visa is denied?

You will receive a written explanation of the grounds for refusal. You have the right to appeal the decision, or you can reapply after addressing the issues identified.

Can I travel outside Spain while on a student visa?

Yes. The visa allows travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.