Study Academic Course in Spain 2023

Citizens from the EU/EEA or Switzerland do not require a student visa regardless of the length of their stay in Spain. EU/EEA/Swiss students don’t need a visa to live in Spain, but will have to register with the local authorities and get a residence certificate.

Citizens of all other countries require a student visa if they plan to stay and study for more than 90 days in Spain. This visa is granted to those students who have already been accepted for admission by a recognized educational institute in Spain.

You can apply for a study visa at the Spanish consulate or embassy in your home country.

Before you can apply for a study visa you have to find a course or program with an officially recognized institution in Spain. You will then need to get official confirmation from the organization outlining that you have been accepted on the course or program, in the form of a certificate or letter of acceptance. Once you have this, you can contact the Spanish embassy or consulate in your home country and apply for a student visa.

Exactly what is required may vary from consulate to consulate but in general, you’ll need to show your passport, as well as the following:

• details of the study, training, or research that you’ll be doing in Spain, including the hours of study per week (20 at least);
• proof that you have medical insurance;
• a medical certificate confirming that you don’t have any diseases that would require you to be quarantined;
• proof that you have the funds to support you for the duration of your stay in Spain (eg. scholarship details, a Spanish bank showing sufficient funds, or letter from parents/guardians assuming full financial responsibility);
• information about where you’ll be living;
• a criminal record certificate issued in the last five years by the relevant authorities in your home country.

If you are staying in Spain for more than six months to study, you must apply for a student residence permit within 30 days of entering Spain. You apply for it at your local Foreigners Office (Oficina de Extranjeros) or a police station. The card is valid for a year and you can renew it every year for five years as long as you are continuing with your studies.

Here are some of the reasons why a student visa to Spain may be denied:

• Past or current criminal actions
• Insufficient explanation for the purpose and circumstances of the planned stay
• Insufficient means of subsistence
• Invalid travel insurance
• Lacking to present a proof of accommodation
• Unfavorable Schengen visa situation - Failing to previously respect Schengen Visa limitations (i.e. Overstay in the Schengen Area, failing to follow the presented travel itinerary – by skipping to stay mostly in the main country of destination in the Schengen Area, and so on).