Study in Spain

Spain combines low public-university tuition, a warm climate and a student life built around late dinners, festivals and football. The University of Barcelona, the Complutense University of Madrid, the Autonomous University of Barcelona and Pompeu Fabra University lead a large public system, and degrees follow the Bologna structure, so they are recognised across Europe. Since May 2025, the rules have become more student-friendly: permits now cover the full duration of a programme, students may work up to 30 hours a week, and graduates get twelve months to look for work.

What it costs to study in Spain

Public-university tuition is set per ECTS credit by each autonomous community and remains relatively affordable. Bachelor’s degrees usually cost about €700–€1,700 a year, and master’s programmes about €1,000–€3,500, though some regions charge non-EU students more — Madrid’s public universities, for example, charge non-EU bachelor’s students without residence a higher per-credit rate. Private universities charge higher fees, sometimes up to €20,000 a year, and top business schools charge more still. Living costs run about €1,000–€1,200 a month in Madrid and Barcelona and about €700–€900 in smaller cities such as Granada or Valencia, where a room in a shared apartment costs about €300–€600 a month. The national minimum wage is about €1,134 a month for full-time work.

Student visa and financial proof

Students from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland need a long-stay Type D student visa for courses over 90 days, applied for at a Spanish consulate before arrival; the permit itself is the authorisation to stay, and since May 2025 it covers the full duration of the programme instead of needing annual renewal. Financial proof is 100% of the IPREM public income index for each month of stay — €600 a month in 2026, or about €7,200 for a year — less any accommodation prepaid for the whole stay. Each family member who comes along adds to the requirement. Students should confirm the current IPREM figure and the consulate’s document list before applying, because consulates apply the rules unevenly.

Working while you study

Students in higher education may work up to 30 hours a week under Royal Decree 1155/2024, in force since 20 May 2025, with no separate work permit needed — one of the most generous allowances in Europe. The work must not interfere with studies, and the right applies to higher education and vocational programmes rather than to language courses at private academies. Internships are handled under a separate route since the 2025 reform and must be arranged through the host employer. Most jobs still need Spanish, so start learning before arrival.

Staying on after graduation

Graduates of official programmes can apply for a twelve-month job-search residence permit to look for work or start a business. The May 2025 regulation extended this from three months to twelve, and it is non-renewable. Applications can be made up to two months before the student authorisation expires and up to three months after, and a qualifying job offer allows a switch to a work authorisation from inside Spain without going back through a consulate. Time spent on a student authorisation counts at half rate towards permanent residence, while time on the job-search permit counts at the full rate.

Applying

The main intake is September or October, with February starts for some programmes. A growing number of master’s programmes are taught in English and require IELTS, TOEFL or an equivalent; Spanish-taught programmes generally require Spanish at B2 level. Official degrees can be checked in the national QEDU degree database and the RUCT register of recognised universities and programmes. The SEPIE agency provides official guidance on scholarships, including Erasmus+ and national awards.

Official source: Study in Spain (SEPIE)

Official Sources

https://studyinspain.info/