Student Visas for Spain

Information about student visas in Spain: the different types, the requirements, and how to obtain one. Also, the rules about working on a student visa.

In order to study or conduct academic research in Spain, non-EU Citizens need to apply for a student visa. Which one you should apply for depends on how long your study program lasts for. Those who have a student visa also have a limited right to work in Spain

Please note that if you plan to travel in Spain after your studies have finished, you must do so before the time on your student visa runs out

Student Visas for Up to 90 Days
Student Visas for Up to 180 Days
Student Visas for More Than 180 Days
Working on a Student Visa

Student Visas in Spain for Up to 90 Days

If you are a citizen of a country who is not required to possess a Schengen visa in order to stay in Spain as a tourist, then you do not need to apply for a student visa if your program of study and your stay in Spain will last for less than 90 days.

Student Visas in Spain for Up to 180 Days

You should apply for your student visa in person at your nearest Spanish embassy or consulate between two and four months before the start date of your study program.

Please note that this type of student visa, unlike the student visa for more than 180 days, cannot be renewed (renovado) or extended (prorrogado) and you are required to leave the country before your visa expires.

At the Spanish embassy or consulate you must submit:

• Two completed and signed Schengen application forms (which you can download here in English and Spanish).
• Two recent passport-sized photographs in color and stapled on each of the application forms.
• Your original, physical passport or travel document; you must have at least one blank page in it.
• Your driver’s license, student ID, or other ID as directed by the Spanish embassy.
• Acceptance letter as a full-time student; the letter must contain the name of the university or school, as well as their address and registration number with the Ministerio de Educación, confirmation that you have paid the tuition or school fees, the length of the program, what you will be studying, and the number of hours per week.
• Proof of available financial resources in one of four ways: a letter from your university assuming financial responsibility for you, a letter from your parents assuming financial responsibility for you, your personal bank statements showing at least €1,000 per month for the length your stay, or proof of financial aid showing at least €1,000 per month for the length your stay.
• Proof of international health insurance.
• Payment to cover the current visa processing fee.
• Self-addressed, pre-paid envelope to receive your passport back.

You will need to submit the original documents as well as one photocopy of each document. In addition, I recommend you make extra photocopies both for the embassy and to keep as a record for yourself. 

Note: Additional documents and obligations may be required depending on your nationality, where you’re applying from, and if the applicant is a minor. Check with your nearest Spanish embassy or consulate for the latest requirements.

Student Visas in Spain for More Than 180 Days

In order to apply for a student visa that lasts more than 180 days, you will need to complete the procedures for a student visa per the section above (Student Visas for Up to 180 Days). In addition, you will need to prove that you have no criminal record in the form of a Certificate of Absence of Police Records (Certificado de Antecedentes Penales) and prove that you are in good physical and mental health by submitting a letter from your doctor attesting to that effect.

You are initially given a student visa for only three months. But don’t panic. This is just part of the process. Therefore, within one month of your arrival in Spain you will need to go to a Foreigners’ Office (Oficina de Extranjeros) or an office of the National Police (Policía Nacional) closest to where you live in Spain and apply for a student card for your Autorización de Estancia por Estudios. The student card will replace the student visa that you were issued in your home country. The card is generally valid for one year, but it can be renewed every year as long as you continue to fulfill the requirements.

To apply for the student card, you will need to bring to the Foreigners’ Office or office of the National Police:

• An EX-15 form that you have filled out. (Download the EX-15 form here.)
• Your passport.
• Three recent passport-sized photographs in color.
• Your student visa.
• Proof that you have been accepted into a program of study in Spain.
• Proof that you have sufficient financial resources during your program of study in Spain.
• A receipt that you have paid the student card fee.

One month later you must return to be fingerprinted, and another month later you will be able to pick up your student card.

Working on a Student Visa

It is technically possible to work on a student visa in Spain, but since the main goal of your stay in Spain is to study, any work you do is regulated with this in mind.

You can work part-time when school is in session, or full-time during school breaks for less than three months. However, this falls into two categories: internships (prácticas see internships under Workers’ Rights here) and working under a special student work visa (called an Autorización Excepcional de Trabajo).

An eligible internship (paid or unpaid) must be part of your university studies and will be supervised by your university. You must be under 30 years old and the internship will have a maximum duration of one year. You don’t need any special permission, as everything is already regulated by an agreement between the university and the employer.

Option two is a special student work visa (Autorización Excepcional de Trabajo). Once a company has agreed to hire you, your future employer must apply for it on your behalf and you cannot work for up to three months while it is being processed. 

Otherwise, if you have an employer willing to hire you and you want to transition to a regular work and residence visa while still in Spain, you must have studied legally in Spain for a minimum of three years and have earned passing grades or marks. Otherwise, you must return to your home country to have the visa processed as would any other normal work and residence visa.

Last updated 08 02 2009

Expat Talkback

Make your comments about this article here. They may also be edited for poor grammar/spelling as may be necessary for readability.

If you'd like to ask a question for discussion, please mosey on over to the Spain Forum. Be sure to stick around and participate with what you can! See our posting rules and instructions here.

Sign-In using OpenID or sign-in with your SpainExpat username to post your comments and questions about this article. See the SpainExpats box on the left.

If you're not a SpainExpat member yet, sign-up now, it's free and we'll keep you in touch with goings on around here. See the SpainExpats box on the left.