What are the requirements for a student visa for Spain?

If you’re looking to study in Europe, Spain—a country famed for its cuisine, stunning landscapes, and vibrant culture—will likely feature high on your list.

Spain boasts some of Europe’s most coveted business schools. IESE Business School in Barcelona ranked fourth in the 2026 Financial Times Global MBA Ranking, while fellow Barcelona-based institution Esade Business School also makes the FT’s top 10. Madrid, Spain’s capital, is similarly popular among international students and is home to IE Business School and a campus of ESCP Business School, the world’s oldest business school.

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens don’t need a visa to study in Spain, but most other international students will need to secure a Spanish student visa.

Here, we break down the key information on student visas for Spain, including required documents, costs, differences between long-term and short-term visas, and whether you can work while on a student visa.

Summary of the student visa process for Spain

Non-Europeans applying to business school in Spain will need a Spanish student visa. To do this, you must provide documents including a passport, letter of acceptance, and proof of financial means and health insurance. The standard process takes around one month and costs between 60 and 140 euros for most nationalities, with students from some countries, including the United States and United Kingdom, paying significantly more.

What documents are needed for a student visa for Spain? 

To obtain your student visa for Spain, you’ll need to present a number of documents as part of your application.

You must have a passport with at least one year remaining before its expiry date (any passports issued over 10 years ago will not be accepted). Along with this, you’re required to submit a recent passport-sized photograph. You must also provide proof of acceptance of study from your chosen university.

Applicants are required to submit proof that they have the financial means to cover tuition fees and living costs during their studies. For living costs, you’ll need at least 600 euros per month (more, if you are bringing family members with you). Proof of financial means can be demonstrated in several ways, including:

• A letter from your university confirming costs of accommodation and meals—this is usually included in your letter of acceptance
• Proof of scholarship for that specific course/period of time
• Bank statements from the last six months showing sufficient funds
• A notarized document from your parent or legal guardian, assuming all costs associated with your studies, accompanied by proof of relationship (such as your birth certificate, parent/guardian’s passport), as well as six months of the sponsor’s bank statements

Other requirements for your Spain student visa include proof of health insurance (not just travel insurance) with a provider authorized to operate in Spain. For stays longer than six months, you must submit a medical certificate demonstrating that you do not suffer from any disease that may cause ‘serious repercussions for public health’ as well as a criminal record check certificate issued by your country of residence.

What is the difference between a short-term and long-term Spain student visa? 

For international students in Spain, there are two key types of student visa—the short-term visa and the long-term visa.

The short-term student visa for Spain lasts three to six months. Typically, the application for these short-term visas is simpler, but they cannot be extended. This visa is ideal for students looking to study a single semester abroad.

The long-term student visa for Spain allows you to study for longer than six months. This would enable you to enroll in any undergraduate or postgraduate degree program in Spain. The application process is more complex and may require you to provide proof of financial means and health insurance, as outlined above.

How much does a student visa for Spain cost?

The cost of a student visa for Spain depends on where you are coming from. For the majority of non‑EU/EEA/Swiss nationals, it costs between 60 and 140 euros (from around $69). For US students, it costs around 145 euros ($167), for Canadian students from 95 euros ($109) and for UK nationals 395 euros ($455).

As previously mentioned, you may also need to show proof of financial means to cover your tuition and living costs in Spain.

What’s the processing time for a Spanish student visa in 2026?

The processing time for a Spanish student visa is typically around one month from the application submission date, although this may be extended should you be required to attend an interview or provide additional documents. For this reason, you are recommended to apply at least two months before the start of your course.

Can I work while studying in Spain on a student visa?

International students on a Spanish student visa are allowed to work for up to 30 hours per week in roles that do not need to be related to their field of study.

It’s worth noting, however, that this work cannot be considered your main source of income and may not count toward extending or renewing your student visa (which often requires meeting certain economic criteria).

Securing your student visa for Spain

With three universities in the world’s top 25 MBA programs, Spain stands among the best in Europe when it comes to top-quality business education. It’s no surprise it’s a popular international student destination.

The Spain student visa process is a necessary step for anyone seeking to study in the country from outside of the EU.

The process requires key documentation, with applicants required to submit their valid passport, acceptance letter, proof of funds to finance their studies, health insurance, and other materials that vary depending on personal circumstances. Applicants should also be aware of the costs involved and note that a typical process takes about one month but can be longer if interviews or further documentation are required.

While the Spain visa application process may be complex, the long-term benefits of being able to study at some of the world’s best business schools make it worthwhile.