Foreign services
Student visa allows you to stay in Spain for over 90 days to study at an authorized institution in a full-time program leading to a degree or certificate. It also covers direct relatives (spouses and children under 18, or older with disabilities) if requirements are met.
Important Legal Considerations:
Residency Status: This permit is not permanent residency and does not count toward Spanish nationality, although it can accumulate for temporary residency.
Health Care Benefits in Spain: Visa holders and their families ensure their well-being by accessing high-standard public and private medical services. Maintaining health insurance for expats in Spain is essential during your stay.
All processes are carried out in accordance with current regulations.
Spain’s long-stay study authorisation is intended for eligible non-EU nationals undertaking qualifying studies or training in Spain for more than 90 days. The application should be prepared around the type of studies, where the application is filed and the applicant’s personal circumstances.
For the student’s own support, the current general rule is 100% of the IPREM per month, subject to the rules on prepaid accommodation and the specific case. Family members require additional financial means. Applicants must also hold health insurance with an insurer authorised to operate in Spain, with benefits comparable to the basic common portfolio of the Spanish National Health System.
Under the current rules, applications from within Spain are available in specific cases, including certain higher-education studies, provided the legal requirements and filing deadlines are met. Other cases are normally handled through the competent Spanish consular office.
Depending on the studies completed and the applicant’s circumstances, there may be options to extend the study authorisation or move to another residence or work route. The correct strategy should be assessed before the current authorisation expires.
Reviewed by Carlos Andrés Blanco Rey, founder of CABR Relocation Solutions and licensed Gestor Administrativo in Spain, Colegio Oficial de Gestores Administrativos de Madrid, Collegiate No. 3765. Last reviewed: October 2026.
Official reference: Spanish Ministry of Inclusion, Migration information sheet for long-duration studies. Requirements should always be checked at the date of filing.
First, you must demonstrate that you have the necessary financial means to cover the expenses of your stay, return, and health care benefits for you and your family members, with the following amounts:
If you are a citizen of a country outside the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland, you will generally require a specific visa to reside and work in Spain.
This also applies to family members who do not qualify for the EU citizen regime. Navigating these procedures is essential for a legal and smooth transition to your new life.
Applicants must demonstrate sufficient economic funds to cover their stay and return costs. To meet this requirement, you must provide documentation such as:
Savings: Recent bank statements or certificates.
Support: Scholarships or certified educational loans.
Sponsorship: Financial backing from a direct family member (parents, spouse, or children only), provided it is legally guaranteed.
To meet Spanish residency standards, applicants must demonstrate access to:
Financial Support: A monthly allowance of €600 (equivalent to 100% of the IPREM), plus full coverage of tuition fees.
Comprehensive Healthcare: Access to specialized health insurance for expats in Spain, ensuring full medical coverage and peace of mind throughout your stay.
Applicants must hold a private health insurance policy (including primary and hospital care) with a provider authorized to operate in Spain. To meet legal standards, the policy must provide:
Full Coverage: Equivalent to the Spanish National Health System, with no gaps in care.
Health insurance: Coverage must meet the applicable Spanish immigration and consular requirements. Medical repatriation may be included by some policies or requested in specific contexts, but it is not a general statutory requirement for every Student Visa application.
Zero Copayments: Comprehensive care ensuring total peace of mind during your stay.
If you are relocating with family, you must demonstrate additional monthly funds to cover their stay and ensure access to health insurance for expats in Spain.
The required amounts are based on the current IPREM:
First Relative: 75% of the IPREM.
Each Additional Relative: 50% of the IPREM.
These funds must be guaranteed to ensure comprehensive healthcare benefits and full legal compliance for the entire family unit, always in accordance with current regulations.
To qualify for a student visa, you must be formally admitted and enrolled in an authorized educational institution in Spain. The program must be:
Full-Time: Leading to an official degree or a certificate of studies.
Duration: For those planning to extend visa benefits to family members, the study program must have a minimum duration of one (1) year.
Meeting these academic requirements is the first step toward securing your residency in accordance with current regulations.
If the student is a minor and will not be accompanied by their parents or legal guardians, the following documentation is mandatory:
Official Authorization: A notarized consent from parents or guardians.
Enrolment Proof: Certification from an authorized educational institution or entity, clearly stating the planned period of stay.
Healthcare Access: Guaranteed access to health insurance for expats in Spain to ensure their full well-being and legal protection.
Lease Contract or Hotel Reservation (paid) for at least three (3) days near the Study Center.
