Spain Student Visa: Requirements and Process

Who can apply

You cannot apply if you are a citizen of the European Union, the European Economic Area, or Switzerland. You also cannot apply if you are a family member of citizens from these countries and their rules apply to you.^[1]

You must not be in an irregular situation inside Spain. You must also not be listed as rejectable in countries that have signed agreements with Spain.^[2][3]

To apply from a consular office, you must be of legal age. If you are applying for higher education, you must be at least 17 years old.^[4]

What you need to show

If you are doing post-compulsory secondary education, you must be over 18 years old. You must be admitted to an authorized full-time center and have paid your tuition.^[5]

If you are doing higher education, you must be over 17 years old. You must be admitted to a recognized full-time higher education institution and have paid your tuition.^[6]

You must have health insurance with an insurance company that is authorized in Spain.^[7]

If your stay is longer than six months and you are of legal criminal age, you must have no criminal record in Spain. You must also have no criminal record in the countries where you lived during the last five years.^[8]

You must prove that you do not have any disease with serious public health risks under the International Health Regulations 2005.^[9]

Documents

You must have a valid passport or travel document. It must be valid for at least one year.^[10]

You must legalize or apostille foreign public documents unless they are exempt by an international treaty.^[11]

You must translate documents from other countries into Spanish or a co-official language. You must use a sworn translator for this.^[12]

Costs and money

You must pay the required fee to process your application.^[13]

You must have enough money to cover your stay and your return home. This money must also cover your family members.^[14]

You must have 100% of the IPREM monthly for your support. You do not need to show this if you prove you have paid for your accommodation in advance.^[15]

Timing

You must submit your application at least two months before your studies start.^[16]

You must collect your visa within two months of being notified that it is granted.^[17]

If your stay is longer than six months, you must personally apply for a foreign identity card (TIE). You must do this within one month of entering Spain.^[18][19]

You can apply to extend your authorization during the two months before or the three months after it expires. You must submit this request electronically using the official form to the correct Immigration Office.^[20][21]

Checklist

• A passport or travel document valid for at least one year^[10]
• Proof of admission and paid tuition at an authorized full-time school^[5][6]
• Health insurance with an authorized Spanish provider^[7]
• Proof of sufficient funds or pre-paid accommodation^[15][14]
• Criminal record certificate if staying over six months^[8]
• Medical certificate showing no serious public health risks^[9]

Questions people ask

This explains what one official page says. It is not legal advice, and the page itself is the authority. Rules change; the wire reports it when they do.