Skip to content
3 ways to enter

Spain visas

Spain student visa

A short study or educational visit may require a Schengen visa, with the application fee waived. Longer study stays generally need a long-stay visa or residence permit. Some organised school groups qualify for visa-free entry.

Ways to get a Spain student visa

  1. Schengen visa for study or educational training

    Visa needed

    Travellers who need a short-stay visa and are visiting for study, educational training or scientific research.

    Stay
    A short stay within the usual 90-day Schengen limit.
    Valid for
    For the intended trip for new applicants; longer validity may be available under the general Schengen rules.
    Entries
    One, two or multiple entries.
    Fee
    Visa application fee waived. An external application service may charge an additional service fee.
    Processing
    15 calendar days for an admissible application without issues; longer processing times can occur.
    1. Apply to Spain's embassy or consulate if Spain is your main destination.
    2. Submit the application no more than six months before entry and provide the relevant supporting documents.
    3. Attend a first application interview and provide fingerprints and a digital photo if required.

  2. Visa-free organised school trip

    No visa needed

    Pupils who are not European Union single market nationals but legally live there, and travel with a general education school group accompanied by a teacher.

    Stay
    A short stay or transit.
    1. Travel as part of the school group with a teacher from the school.
    2. Have the teacher carry a List of Travellers form identifying the pupils and explaining the trip.

  3. Long-stay study permission

    Other permit

    Students from outside the European Union single market who need to stay beyond the short-stay limit generally need a long-stay visa or residence permit.

    Stay
    A long-stay visa generally covers less than a year; residence permits cover longer periods.

Who needs it

Students who are not exempt need permission appropriate to their nationality and length of stay.

Who doesn't

Qualifying school pupils legally resident in the European Union single market can enter without a visa when travelling with their school group and teacher.

How to apply

  1. For a short study visit requiring a visa, apply to Spain's embassy or consulate if Spain is the main destination.
  2. Submit the application no more than six months before entry, with the relevant supporting documents.
  3. Attend in person for a first application and interview. Provide fingerprints and a digital photo if required.

What to bring

  • An accepted travel document.
  • Relevant supporting documents for the study or educational visit.
  • Fingerprints and a digital photo for a visa application, if required.

Good to know

  • A fee waiver does not remove the requirement to apply or provide supporting documents.
  • Spain sets the procedures for long-stay permission, although some study rules are shared across issuing countries.
  • The school-group exemption has specific residence, supervision and document requirements.

Questions

Do I need a student visa for Spain?

Students who are not exempt need permission appropriate to their nationality and length of stay. Qualifying school pupils legally resident in the European Union single market can enter without a visa when travelling with their school group and teacher.

What are the ways to get a student visa for Spain?

There are 3 options: Schengen visa for study or educational training (a visa from an embassy); Visa-free organised school trip (no visa at all); Long-stay study permission (a special permit).

Who can go to Spain without a student visa?

Pupils who are not European Union single market nationals but legally live there, and travel with a general education school group accompanied by a teacher.

How long can I stay on a Spain student visa?

Short visits fall within the usual 90-day Schengen limit. Longer stays generally require a long-stay visa or residence permit.

How much does a Spain student visa cost?

The Schengen visa application fee is waived for study, educational training and scientific research. Long-stay fees are not described.

How long does a Spain student visa take?

For an admissible Schengen visa application without issues, a decision is due within 15 calendar days. Longer processing times can occur.

What documents do I need for a Spain student visa?

An accepted travel document.; Relevant supporting documents for the study or educational visit.; Fingerprints and a digital photo for a visa application, if required..

How do I apply for a Spain student visa?

1. 1. For a short study visit requiring a visa, apply to Spain's embassy or consulate if Spain is the main destination. 2. 2. Submit the application no more than six months before entry, with the relevant supporting documents. 3. 3. Attend in person for a first application and interview. Provide fingerprints and a digital photo if required.

What rules do I have to follow on a Spain student visa?

A fee waiver does not remove the requirement to apply or provide supporting documents. Spain sets the procedures for long-stay permission, although some study rules are shared across issuing countries.

Does my passport change whether I need a student visa for Spain?

Yes. Rules depend on the country that issued your passport. Open the Spain visa page and choose your passport for a plain answer.

Reviewed by