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Student Life

Spanish Student Visas

Staying in Spain for more than 90 days? We guide you through every step of the student visa process — from gathering documents to your TIE appointment in Barcelona.

96% success rate Years of experience End-to-end support
Visa support is included in the Double Semester program (24 weeks) and is also available as a guided service for other program students. Non-EU students on shorter stays may not need a visa — check below.
First Things First

Do I need a student visa?

It depends on your nationality and how long you plan to stay. EU citizens do not need a visa. For everyone else, the 90-day rule applies.

✅

No visa needed

If you are an EU / EEA citizen, or a non-EU citizen staying for 90 days or less, you do not need a student visa. This covers the Summer (5 weeks), Long Summer (10 weeks) and Semester (12 weeks) programs for most nationalities.

🛂

Visa required

If you are a non-EU citizen and plan to stay in Spain for more than 90 days, you need a long-term student visa. This typically applies to Double Semester students (24 weeks). We handle the entire process for you.

Not sure which applies to you? Email us at [email protected] and we'll advise based on your nationality and the program you're considering.
Why Get a Student Visa

What a student visa gives you

A Spanish student visa isn't just permission to study — it opens up a range of rights and benefits that make living in Barcelona much easier.

12+
Months you can stay legally in Spain, with option to extend
30h
Hours per week you can work legally in Spain on a student visa
96%
Success rate on visa applications processed with our guidance

Live legally in Spain for up to a year, with the option to extend

Travel freely within the entire Schengen area

Work legally up to 30 hours per week

Obtain your NIE (Spanish identity number) and access local services

Open a Spanish bank account more easily

Access public healthcare and register your address (empadronamiento)

Barcelona street scene
Barcelona city life
Students studying together
Student community
Travel and adventure
Explore the Schengen area
What You'll Need

Required documents

The Spanish consulate requires the following documents. We guide you through gathering and preparing every single one.

Valid passport
Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay in Spain.
Completed Spanish student visa application form
We help you complete this correctly — mistakes here are the most common cause of delays.
Enrolment letter from our school
We provide this promptly once you confirm your place. Includes our Instituto Cervantes accreditation.
Criminal background check with apostille certificate
Obtained from your home country. We advise on the exact process depending on where you're from.
Medical certificate
Signed by a licensed doctor confirming you are in good health.
Medical insurance with full coverage in Spain
We can connect you with a discounted health insurance provider used by our students.
Proof of sufficient funds
Approximately €600/month for your stay (€7,200 for a full year). Bank statements or a letter from a financial sponsor.
Proof of address in your home country
A recent utility bill or official document showing your home address.
Proof of accommodation in Barcelona
We provide this — your accommodation is arranged as part of your program.
Documents and paperwork organised on a desk

We help you prepare and check every document before submission

Our Support

How we guide you through it

We've been helping students navigate the Spanish visa process for years. Our team supports you at every stage — before you leave home and once you arrive in Barcelona.

✈️

Before you leave

Preparation & paperwork

Country-specific guidance on gathering and preparing all required documents

Help completing the Spanish student visa application form correctly

Fast delivery of your official enrolment letter and school accreditation documents

Access to discounted health insurance for our students

Direct access to our experienced coordinators throughout the process

🏙️

Once you arrive

Barcelona bureaucracy sorted

We schedule your TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) appointment — notoriously hard to secure on your own

A school representative accompanies you to the foreign office to assist with paperwork and translations

Guidance on registering your address (empadronamiento) — required for many local services

Ongoing support throughout your stay for any bureaucratic questions

Also in Student Life

Accommodation Accommodation Student Visas Student Visas Cultural Activities Cultural Activities Work Experience Work Experience
FAQs

Visa questions

Processing times vary by country and consulate, but typically take 4–8 weeks from the date you submit your application. We advise starting the process at least 3 months before your program start date to allow plenty of time. Some countries are faster or slower — we'll advise based on your specific situation.
No — a long-term Spanish student visa must be applied for at the Spanish consulate in your home country before you travel. You cannot apply for or switch to a long-term visa once you are already in Spain as a tourist.
Yes — a Spanish student visa allows you to work up to 30 hours per week. This is one of the significant advantages of getting a student visa rather than staying as a tourist.
Rejections are rare when applications are prepared correctly — our success rate is 96%. In the unlikely event of a rejection, we'll help you understand the reason and advise on whether to appeal or reapply. Contact us at [email protected] if this happens.
The TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) is your Spanish identity card for foreigners. Once you arrive in Barcelona on your student visa, you must apply for this card within 30 days. It's required to open a bank account, register with a doctor, access public services, and work legally. TIE appointments are notoriously difficult to book — we handle this for you.
Full visa support — including TIE appointment scheduling and accompaniment to the foreign office — is included in the Double Semester program (24 weeks). Students on other programs who need visa guidance can contact us at [email protected] for assistance.

Ready to make Barcelona your home?

Apply for the Double Semester and we handle the visa process for you.

Apply Now
Barcelona skyline