You can get a student visa to come and live in Spain at any age over 18 years old and it’s typically one of the easiest residency permissions to get. The financial requirements are also not as high, so this maybe a good option if you don’t earn enough for the Digital Nomad Visa or don’t have enough passive income for the Non-Lucrative Visa.
If you’re from a non-EU country you’ll need to apply for a student visa if you want to do a course, training programme, internship or volunteer work in Spain that lasts longer than three months.
This visa may also be applicable for au pairs and teaching assistants, depending on the country you’re from and what type of programmes they have in place with Spain.
In order for a course to be applicable for the visa it must be one of the following:
- A higher education course.
- A post-compulsory secondary education
- A mobility programme for compulsory or post-compulsory secondary school students
- Training activities: language assistants; Spanish language studies or co-official languages like Catalan; Preparatory courses for selective tests access to specialised health training; Qualification certifications or professional qualification; and professional certificates.
It's worth noting that your course can't be 100 percent online, some of it must at least be in person in a school or language academy for example.
How to apply?
As of May 20th 2025 when the new Immigration Law came into force, you can no longer apply for a student visa while you’re here as a tourist. You must apply through the consulate back in your home country.
This means that firstly you will need to contact your nearest Spanish consulate and follow their procedure.
It will involve completing an application form similar to this one. Be aware, it may change slightly depending on which country and consulate you apply from.
If you are doing a higher education course and are bringing a family member, they will also need to complete their own application form. Or you can do it for a child.
READ ALSO: Spain's new migration law could block entry for thousands of US students
Along with your application you will need to send:
- A recent, passport-size, colour photograph – under the same conditions as a passport photo would be eg. No hats or sunglasses.
- Original and photocopy of the biometric data page of your passport. It must be valid for at least one year and have two blank pages.
- Proof of acceptance for the course, training, volunteer activity or internship.
This could include acceptance letter, but for higher education, studies of post-compulsory secondary education and training activities it must be proof of enrolment and having paid the fees too.
Financial proof
In addition to all of the above you must also prove that you can financially support yourself, as well as any family members moving with you.
The minimum required amount is equivalent to 100 percent of Spain's Public Multiple Effects Income Indicator (IPREM). For 2025, this equals €600 per month or €7,200 per year.
For the second family member you must have an extra 75 percent of the IPREM - €450.
Be aware, because of the new changes to the student visa, you can now only bring family members if you are doing a higher education course, not just if you’re doing a language course for example.
For children you will also need to prove their relationship to you such as birth certificates or legal guardianship.
You can show letters from universities or schools if they include the cost of your accommodation and meals or if they’re sponsoring you.
Private health insurance
You will need to show that you have private health insurance with an institution authorised to operate in Spain. It must be as comprehensive as public health cover meaning co-payments etc. Travel insurance will not be accepted.
For Brits, it’s worth keeping in mind that the UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) is accepted as medical insurance for student visas.
Criminal record certificate
You must be able to provide a clear criminal record check for your country or countries of residence for the past five years. They must be legalised or apostilled and officially translated into Spanish to be valid.
Medical certificate
You need an original and a photocopy of a medical certificate accrediting that you do not suffer from any disease that could cause serious repercussions for public health. Again this must be officially translated into Spanish and apostilled.
If you are applying to be a language or teach assistant, you will need to provide the appointment letter issued by the department of the Ministry of Education of Spain.
And for Au-Pairs you will need to send a letter or agreement signed by you and the host family.
When to send your application and how long does it take?
Your application must be submitted at least two months before the start of your course and you will receive a decision within one month.
If you are denied, you may appeal within one month and provide additional information.
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