Student visa and long-term stay

For students from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland who will study in Spain for more than 90 days.

Other passports

Last checked against official sources on 3 November 2026. Rules change, so confirm before you act. This is general information, not legal advice.

Who needs this

Anyone who is not a citizen of the EU, EEA or Switzerland, or a family member covered by the EU citizens' rules, and who will stay more than 90 days to study.
It covers higher education such as official university degrees, and some post-compulsory secondary education.
Exchange students and family members of EU citizens have separate procedures. Check the official pages under Sources, and ask your university.

Find the Spanish consulate that covers the place where you live, and check its own document list. Consulates can ask for extra details.
Apply in person at least two months before your studies start, unless specific enrolment dates make that impossible.
Pay the visa fee when you apply.
Wait for the decision. The consulate has up to one month to notify you. If you hear nothing after that, the application may be treated as rejected.
Collect the visa within two months of being notified, or the application is treated as abandoned.

Passport valid for at least one year.
Proof you were admitted to a recognised institution for a full-time programme, and that you paid the registration fees.
Proof of enough money for your stay and your return: 100% of the IPREM, a Spanish official reference amount, each month. This doesn't apply if you can prove your accommodation is prepaid for the whole stay. Money for tuition doesn't count towards this.
Health insurance from an insurer authorised in Spain, with no co-payments or waiting periods, and cover similar to the public health system.
If you are an adult staying more than six months: a criminal record certificate covering the countries where you lived for the last five years.
A medical certificate.
Proof you paid the fee.

Documents from other countries must be translated into Spanish by a sworn translator.
Foreign public documents must be legalised or carry a Hague apostille, unless they are exempt.

For higher education, an adult who is legally in Spain can apply on form EX-00, at least two months before their current legal status ends and at least two months before classes start.
This includes students who entered without a visa. With 90 days of visa-free stay, that usually means applying within about a month of arriving.
You can apply at the immigration office (Oficina de Extranjería) of the province where you will study, or online through the Mercurio portal. Recognised universities can also apply electronically for you.
The office has up to two months to notify you. If you hear nothing after that, the application may be treated as rejected.

A long-term stay for higher education lets you work without a separate work permit, as long as the work is compatible with your studies.
The general limit is 30 hours a week. Going over it can end your authorisation.

Practical help, not official wording. Staff may not speak English, so it helps to have these ready.

Vengo a presentar una solicitud de estancia por estudios.: I'm here to apply for a stay for studies.
¿Cuándo tendré una respuesta?: When will I get an answer?
Hola, tengo cita a las diez.: Hello, I have an appointment at ten o'clock.
No hablo bien español. ¿Habla inglés?: I don't speak Spanish well. Do you speak English?
¿Puede hablar más despacio, por favor?: Could you speak more slowly, please?
¿Puede escribirlo, por favor?: Could you write it down, please?
¿Me falta algún documento?: Am I missing any document?

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