How to Get Spain Student Visa in 2026? Requirements, Fees & More

What is a Spanish student visa? 

If you are planning to study in Spain, then you will be required to get a Spain Student Visa aka “visado de estudios.” It is an important requirement for non-EU/EEA students who want to study, research, train, or do volunteer work in Spain for longer than 90 days. If the course or stay is under 90 days, then you do not require a student visa. However, depending on your nationality, a Schengen visa might be required. A Spanish student visa is a residence authorisation that will allow you to stay in Spain for the duration of your course/program. Moreover, it also allows students to work for up to 30 hours a week and travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days per 180-day period.

Types of Spain Student Visa 

As a non-EU/EEA student, you can get two main types of Spain student visa in 2026. This mainly depends on the duration of your stay or course.

1. Short-term Student Visa (91–180 days): The first is a short-term study visa Spain, also known as a Type C visa. It allows students/holders to stay in Spain for around 90 to 180 days (3 to 6 months). Moreover, this cannot be extended while you are in Spain and also does not include a Foreigner Identity Card.
2. Long-term Student Visa (Over 180 days): In case your program is longer than 180 days, then you will be required to get a Long-term Spanish student visa, also known as Type D. It is granted for 1 year and will allow you to obtain a Foreigner Identity Card, which will work as a residency permit. Moreover, if your course requires it, you can extend this from within Spain.

Read More: Spain Education System

Things to Know About a Long-Term Spain Student Visa

If you are going for a Type D or a long-term student visa for Spain, then there are a few things you should keep in mind:

• You cannot apply for the Type D visa until you get into an accredited Spanish university and have paid a deposit.
• There is a 12-month limit on the Type D Spain student visa, and you can renew it from within Spain. But you will have to meet specific requirements like proving academic progress and sufficient funds.
• It is recommended that you apply for the student visa at least 2 to 3 months before your course starts, as the Spain student visa processing timecan take 1 to 2 months.

Read More: Study Masters in Spain

Who Can Apply for a Student Visa in Spain? 

Non-EU/EEA/Swiss Citizens who have been admitted to a full-time program (minimum 20 hours per week) in an accredited educational institution can apply for a Spanish student visa. Some of these programs include:

• Academic Studies: Bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD programs at recognised universities
• Language Courses: Spanish or other official language courses at Cervantes-accredited schools
• Vocational Training: Job-focused training programs that give a certificate or degree
• Research & Internships: Research projects or unpaid internships with a signed agreement
• Other Options: Volunteering with non-profits, au pair programs, or working as a language assistant

Eligibility Requirements for a Spanish Student Visa

To get a Spain Student Visa in 2026, non-EU/EEA students are required to meet the following requirements first:

• Official Admission: First, you will need to secure admission in a full-time program (minimum 20 hours per week) of a recognised Spanish educational institute.
• Financial Sufficiency: Next, demonstrate financial sufficiency to support the living costs in Spain. For this, you will be required to prove that you have 100% of the Public Multiple Effects Income Indicator (IPREM) for each month of your stay. As of 2026, this amount is around €600 per month.
• Health Insurance: You will also need to have either a public or a private health insurance with a Spain-operated authorised company. The insurance needs to fully cover your medical care, with no co-payments or waiting periods.
• Clean Record: If your program lasts more than 180 days, then you need to provide a criminal record certificate for the countries where you have lived during the past five years. The certificate must show that you have no criminal record and must be apostilled and translated into Spanish.
• Medical Certificate: A doctor’s note which confirms you do not have any diseases that could seriously affect public health, according to the 2005 International Health Regulations.
• TIE application: Within 30 days of your arrival in Spain, you need to apply for a Foreigner Identity Card (TIE) at a local police station.

Read More: MBA in Spain for Indian Students

How to Get a Spain Student Visa? 

To get a Spain student visa in 2026, non-EU/EEA students need to apply at the Spanish Embassy or at a Consulate in their country of residence. They can then follow the step-by-step process below:

Step 1- Secure Admission: 

The first step is to get admitted into a full-time course in a Spanish education institute.

Step 2- Prepare Required Documents: 

Next, gather all the required documents. Non-Spanish documents like birth certificates, medical certificates, and criminal records will be required to be translated into Spanish by an official sworn translator (traductor jurado). They also need to be legalised/apostilled.

Step 3- Book a Visa Appointment: 

Schedule an appointment with the Spanish embassy or consulate that serves your area. Make sure to do this around 2 to 3 months before your course starts.

Step 4- Submit Your Application: 

Attend the appointment and then submit the National Visa Application Form. During this time, you will also be required to pay the Spain student visa fees of around €80–€160, depending on your nationality.

Step 5- Wait for Approval: 

Now wait for the decision. The average Spain student visa processing time is around 2 to 4 weeks, but it can take up to a month.

Step 6- Collect the Visa: 

Once it is approved, you need to collect the visa in person within 2 months of getting the notification.

Step 7- Apply for TIE: 

After arriving in Spain, you must book an appointment to apply for a TIE within 30 days. 

Note: As per new rules on May 20, 2025, students can no longer apply for a Spain student visa from within Spain (for example, while they are on a tourist visa) for language courses. The application process for the student visa needs to be done before you arrive.

Read More: MBBS in Spain

Documents Required for a Student Visa for Spain

Next, the Spain student visa requirements include submitting important documents. Below is a Spain student visa checklist that you can use to prepare your application:

• National Visa Application Form: A completed and signed application form.
• Valid Passport: A passport which is valid for the entire duration of your stay in Spain. It should have at least two blank pages and be issued within the last 10 years.
• Passport-Sized Photographs: 1-2 coloured passport-size photos with a white background.
• Proof of Admission: Official letter from a recognised school in Spain for a full-time program.
• Proof of Payment: A receipt that shows you have paid the tuition fee for your chosen program.
• Financial Means: You must show enough money to sustain your stay in Spain. This can be proven with six months of bank statements, a scholarship letter, or a notarised sponsorship letter with your parents’ ID and bank statements.
• Health Insurance: A health insurance from a company that is allowed to operate in Spain.
• Proof of Residence in Consular District: A document that verifies your current address. This can be a driver’s license, utility bill, or student ID.

How Much Does a Spain Student Visa Cost?

The Spain student visa fees for Indian students can cost anywhere between €60–€90, which is approximately ₹6,506 – 9,759. But this can exceed if you add consulate and other service fees. Below is a breakdown of the Spain student visa fees. Take a look:

How to Get a Foreigner Identity Card?

After you arrive in Spain, you will be required to apply for a TIE aka Foreigner Identity Card, within 30 days. It will be used to prove your legal residence in Spain and will also contain your NIE number (Foreign Identification Number). To get a TIE card, you can follow the steps below:

Step 1: Make sure your visa is approved

You need to have your student visa approved and receive the Resolución Favorable first.

Step 2: Book a police appointment

Book an appointment at the local police station (Comisaría) for your TIE. These appointments can get full quickly, so book early.

Step 3: Get your documents ready

Bring all the required documents to the appointment, such as:

• Passport
• Visa approval letter (Resolución Favorable)
• Filled TIE application form
• Proof of address in Spain
• Proof of enrollment
• Passport photos
• Proof of payment for the TIE fee

Step 4: Go to the appointment

At the appointment, you will give your fingerprints. After that, they will start processing your TIE.

Step 5: Pick up your TIE

When your TIE is ready, you will get a message to collect it from the police station. It can take a few weeks.

Rights You Get with Your Spain Student Visa 

With a student visa for Spain, you get a few rights. These include:

• Work While Studying: You can work part-time up to 30 hours per week without a separate work permit, as long as it does not interfere with your studies.
• Legal Residency: You will also get a TIE (Foreigner ID Card), which will act as your residence permit for the length of your studies.
• Bring Your Family: You can bring your spouse, registered partner, and children under 18 to live with you in Spain.
• Study Options: You can study at universities, vocational schools, or approved research and training centres.
• Travel in Europe: You can visit other Schengen countries for up to 90 days within 180 days.
• After Graduation: After finishing your studies, you may be able to apply for a 12-month residence permit to look for a job, or switch to a work permit if you’ve been in Spain for three years and have a job offer.
• Extend Your Stay: If you continue studying, you can renew your student permit while staying in Spain.

Conclusion

Summing up, getting a Spain student visa is a pretty straightforward process. All you have to do is to prepare in advance, follow the document Spain student visa checklist, and apply through the correct channels. This last part might get a little confusing if you don’t know the procedure. But with the right guidance from Spain student visa consultant, it can become easy. And for this, you can get help from Gradding. An accredited platform which has been helping students achieve their dream of studying abroad. Their study abroad consultants offer personalised support, guide you through the entire visa process, help with document verification, and ensure your application is submitted accurately and on time.

FAQ

1. What are the Eligibility Requirements for Applying for a Spain Student Visa?

The core eligibility requirement to get a Spanish student visa is to first secure admission in a full-time course in a Spanish university/college. In addition to this, you also need to show proof of sufficient funds, valid health insurance, a clear criminal background, and a medical certificate (within 3 months) confirming you have no serious contagious diseases.

2. What Studies Are Valid to Obtain a Student Visa in Spain?

To get a student visa in Spain, students need to enrol in a recognised study program. Some valid ones include:

• University degree programs (Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD)
• Language courses (Spanish language schools)
• Vocational or technical training programs
• Exchange programs or Erasmus
• Internships or research projects (if linked to your studies)
• Long-term courses lasting more than 3 months

3. How Long Does It Take to Process a Spanish Student Visa?

A Spanish student visa generally takes around one to three months or around 4 to 12 weeks to process. So it's better to submit your application around 90 days before your travel date.

4. Can a Spanish Student Visa Be Extended or Renewed from Within Spain?

You can generally renew or extend a Spanish student visa from within Spain instead of returning to your home country and doing so from there. For this, you can either apply online via the Mercurio platform, which requires a digital certificate. Or going in person to a local Immigration Office (Oficina de Extranjería).

5. Are International Students Allowed to Work On a Spanish student visa?

International students on a Spanish student visa are allowed to work for up to 30 hours per week. Given that the job is not interfering with the student’s studies or academic schedule. Also note that you can’t completely rely on the job for finance. You still need to show the authorities that you have your own funds to cover the living costs in Spain.

6. What Happens If My Course or Studies Are Extended?

If your course or studies are extended, you must apply to extend or renew your Spain student visa before your current permit expires. As long as you can show proof of continued enrollment and that you still meet the requirements (such as financial means and insurance), you can usually stay legally while your application is being processed.