Studying Spanish in Spain is much more than improving the language, it is getting to know the culture of each city, travelling around every corner of the country and learning from an idyllic environment. More than 125,000 students decide to pack their bags and travel to Spain to study at schools such as Proyecto Español. According to the Cervantes Institute, more than 24 million people study Spanish as a foreign language, making it the second most spoken language in the world. Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
If you are thinking of coming to Spain to study Spanish, it is likely that you will need a student visa for Spain, depending on your nationality and the length of time you plan to stay. Do you want to know more? Stay and read this article as we bring you the answers to your questions.
Who needs a student visa to study in Spain?
One of the most frequent doubts of people who come to Spain to study Spanish is whether they need a student visa to be able to enrol in a school.
EU and non-EU students
Citizens of the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland do not need a visa to study in Spain, regardless of the duration of the course. However, if the course they choose lasts longer than 90 days, they have to obtain a certificate of registration as a resident at their nearest local Oficina de Extranjería Local de Extranjería.
However, if you are a student from outside the EU, you will need a visa if your course will last more than 90 days. For longer stays, a tourist visa would suffice, but you would not be able to extend your stay or work for the duration of your course.
Courses and duration of studies requiring a visa
Courses lasting more than 90 days require a student visa (intensive courses, university courses, exchange programmes, master’s degrees, etc.). If the course exceeds 180 days, in addition to the visa, a Foreigner’s Identity Card (TIE) must be obtained in Spain.
Types of student visas in Spain
There are different types of student visas in Spain:
Short term (less than 90 days)
This visa is intended for those students who are from outside the EU and do need a visa for a short Spanish language programme of less than 3 months.
The short-stay student visa cannot be renewed and you cannot work while you are on the course.
Long duration (more than 90 days)
This is the most common visa for international students who are going to do a course lasting between 3 and 6 months. It allows for renewal within Spain.
Student Residence (for courses of more than 6 months)
This visa allows you to reside legally in Spain for the entire academic year. It also entitles you to apply for a TIE and, in many cases, allows you to work part-time (up to 30 hours per week), provided you can combine work and training.
Requirements for obtaining a Spanish student visa
However, before applying for a visa, you have to make sure that you meet all the requirements:
Proof of enrolment in an accredited school
You must be enrolled in an institution recognised by the Ministry of Education or the Instituto Cervantes. The registration document must indicate the duration, the number of hours per week (minimum 20 hours) and the objectives of the course.
Valid passport and passport-size photos
A valid passport with at least six months validity and two recent passport photos with white background are required.
Means test
You are required to prove that you have sufficient financial means to cover costs such as accommodation, accommodation, etc. The minimum amount required in 2025 is more than €700 per month (€8,400 per year).
Medical insurance and health certificate
It is compulsory to have private health insurance valid throughout Spain, with no co-payments or deductibles. In addition, in some cases, you may also be asked to provide a medical certificate certifying that you do not have any illness that could have health repercussions in the community.
Criminal record certificate
For visas of more than 6 months, acriminal record certificate issued by the authorities of the country of origin and legalized or apostilled, translated into Spanish if necessary, must be provided.
How to apply for a student visa?
Once you have fulfilled all the requirements to obtain a student visa, it is now time to apply for a student visa.
Where to apply?
The application must be made at the Spanish consulate or embassy in your country of residence. It cannot be applied for while already in Spain as a tourist.
Timetable and processing time
It is recommended to start the process at least 2 months before the start of the course. The resolution can take between 15 and 30 working days, depending on the country and the time of the year.
Visa fees and payment
The visa fee varies from country to country, but is usually between €60 and €125.
Common mistakes to avoid
If you do not have help you with the student visa process, you may make some mistakes that are best avoided.
Incomplete documentation
Haste is not a good thing, and many students submit visa applications with incomplete documentation. So make sure you have everything you need. Make a list and cross off the documents you already have or are missing.
Applying too late
Don’t leave things to the last minute. This process can take several days and your plans may fall apart. Therefore, we recommend submitting everything in advance, in case there is a problem or you have to submit other documentation.
Failure to meet minimum study hour requirements
Not all courses are valid for visa purposes. Make sure that the programme you are going to do in Spain complies with the 20 hours per week. Programmes with less hours are not valid for a visa.
How does Proyecto Español help you with the visa process?
At Proyecto Español, we not only offer you a wide variety of accredited Spanish courses, but we also accompany you every step of the way, including visa applications.
We provide you with the necessary documents, such as the letter of acceptance and the course syllabus, and guide you step by step to complete your application correctly.
Thanks to our experience with students from more than 30 countries, we know how to facilitate this process so that your only concern is to enjoy and learn Spanish in Spain.
