Spain's higher-education system is run by regional governments within a national framework. Public universities set degree-level prices under regional decrees: Madrid and Catalonia charge non-EU students without Spanish residence a higher rate for masters, while bachelors at UC3M for non-EU students ranged EUR 6,822-8,186 per 60 credits in 2026/27. Private institutions such as IE University (EUR 27,300) and the University of Navarra (EUR 15,600-19,250 for first-year bachelors) charge more.
Non-EU applicants to bachelors from foreign school systems typically go through the national UNED UNEDasiss accreditation and Specific Competency Exams, or university-specific early-admission routes (UC3M early admission runs 5 Oct 2026 - 2 Apr 2027). Master's applicants apply to each university; non-EHEA degrees are checked for equivalence and access in the country of origin without homologation, and documents must be apostilled.
A long-stay study authorisation/visa under Royal Decree 1155/2024 requires admission, payment of enrolment fees, health insurance, and funds of 100 percent of IPREM per month (IPREM EUR 600/month set for 2023; 2026 value not re-verified from an official source), plus a police certificate and medical certificate for stays over 180 days. Student authorisation holders may work up to 30 hours a week without a separate permit, and after graduation can switch to residence and work (Article 190) within two months before to three months after the study permit ends.
Available English-taught options are concentrated in masters (UPC, UC3M, UPM, UAM) and bilingual or fully English bachelors in private universities (IE, Navarra, Universidad Europea). Several large public universities (Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona) blocked automated access and could not be covered.
