What this guide rests on
Verified on 2026-10-25 from the BOE (RD 1155/2024) and Spanish Foreign Ministry consulate pages (boe.es, exteriores.gob.es). Fees and document details differ between consulates, so check the page of the mission you apply to. This guide gives no visa or admission guarantee.
Visa and permit type
- Studies over 90 days need a long-stay study authorisation processed with a national visa at the Spanish consulate of your residence (RD 1155/2024, arts. 35, 52-55).
- Validity equals the official length of the higher-education studies; extensions run up to one year at a time (up to two extensions for higher education).
- If the stay exceeds 180 days the visa is valid for 90 days, and a foreigner identity card must be applied for within one month of entry (Dublin consulate page).
Application steps
- Get admission and pay the enrolment/registration fee.
- Prepare documents: application form, photo, passport valid at least 1 year with 2 blank pages, admission proof, proof of funds, health insurance, police certificate covering the past 5 years, medical certificate for stays over 180 days, visa fee.
- Foreign public documents need apostille/legalisation and a Spanish translation.
- Apply at the competent consulate two months before studies start (Ankara and Moscow pages).
- For Turkey the Ankara consulate page says funds equal 100% of IPREM and that medical and police certificates are needed for long stays. Whether study visas are processed through BLS in Turkey is not confirmed; ask the consulate.
Proof of funds and health insurance
- Funds: 100% of IPREM per month for the student, plus 75% for the first family member and 50% for each additional one. Prepaid accommodation reduces the amount.
- The Dublin page accepts 6 months of bank statements, a sponsorship letter or a scholarship letter.
- IPREM was set at EUR 600 per month in the 2023 budget law; the 2026 amount was not confirmed from an official page. Confirm the current figure with the consulate.
- Health insurance: public or private cover from an insurer authorised in Spain, covering the risks of the public system. Social Security registration replaces it while working.
- Fee: EUR 90 at the Dublin consulate, varying by consulate and reciprocity. Processing is stated as 10 days on the Dublin page and up to one month at other posts.
Work rights and after graduation
- Higher-education study authorisation holders may work up to 30 hours per week if compatible with studies, limited to the issuing autonomous community (plus neighbouring localities). Curricular internships need no extra permit. Exceeding 30 hours can cost you the authorisation (art. 57).
- After the degree you can apply to switch to residence and work, or residence without work, without a new visa (art. 190), from two months before to three months after the study permit ends. Not available to people funded by Spanish or home-country development-cooperation scholarships.
- This is not a job or residence guarantee.
Language, dates and cost
- Spanish-taught degrees typically need DELE/SIELE B2, with the threshold set by the university. English programmes at the universities reviewed (UPC, UC3M, UAM, UPV) require B2 English; UC3M accepts IELTS 5.5-6.5 and TOEFL iBT 72-94 bands.
- Main intake September/October; some master's also start in February. UPV Phase 0 for non-EU applicants opens in November.
- Master's prices are set by regional decree: UPC EUR 2,700 (60 ECTS), UAM EUR 5,079 (60 ECTS), UC3M own-price English master's EUR 7,200-13,500; private IE University EUR 27,300 per year (2026/27 pages).
- No official national living-cost figure was found; university residence prices were not extracted.
Checklist
- Did I check the consulate page for the current fee, IPREM amount and appointment route?
- Did I allow time for apostille and translation of the police and medical certificates?
- Is my insurance from an insurer authorised in Spain and does it cover public-system risks?
- Do I know the 30-hour weekly limit?
- Did I note the verification date (2026-10-25) and will I recheck before applying?
Frequently asked questions
This guide is general information. Dates, fees and requirements can change; verify official sources before applying.