Spain leads the EU in student residence permits in 2024

In 2024, EU Member States issued 549,400 first residence permits for education purposes, representing 15.7% of all authorisations granted to non-EU citizens, according to Eurostat. Unlike other categories such as employment or family reunification, education permits were the only group that increased compared with 2023 (+0.8%).

This figure highlights the growing importance of Europe —and particularly Spain— as an academic destination for international students seeking educational and mobility opportunities within the European space.

⏺️ Spain, the leading destination for international students

Spain consolidated its position in 2024 as the main EU country granting student residence permits, with 117,056 authorisations. This volume represents more than one fifth of the total issued across the EU and confirms the attractiveness of the Spanish education system for third-country students.

France (112,298) and Germany (75,005) followed Spain, and together these three countries accounted for almost two-thirds of all education-related permits in Europe. Poland and Ireland also ranked among the top destinations, although with considerably lower numbers (24,390 and 38,416 respectively).

⏺️ Factors explaining Spain’s leadership

Spain’s leading role can be explained by several factors:

High-quality education offer, with universities and training centres of reference in Europe.
Language and cultural ties, especially with Latin America, which facilitate the arrival of students from Spanish-speaking countries.
Favourable legal framework, reinforced by the new Immigration Regulation (RD 1155/2024), which introduced improvements in processing and in the rights of international students, including the possibility to work part-time and extend their stay.
Social and economic environment, which makes Spain an attractive destination not only for studying, but also for living and developing medium-term life projects.

⏺️ Conclusion

The 2024 data show that, while employment and family permits decreased, student residence permits continued to grow. Spain stands out as the leading country in this field, strengthening its position on the global academic map.

At ARC Legal Abogados we know that moving to a new country to study involves much more than obtaining a university admission letter. Legal and administrative procedures are decisive for ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience.

We provide a comprehensive and personalised service for international students who wish to start or continue their studies in Spain:

Comprehensive advice: guidance at every stage of the immigration process, ensuring legal certainty and regulatory compliance.
Student residence permit application: preparation and submission of all required documentation to the Immigration Office or the relevant Consulate.
Extensions of stay: management of annual renewals so that students can continue their studies without interruption.
Family reunification: legal assistance with applications for spouses, children, or direct relatives.

If you are planning to study in Spain and need legal support for your residence permit, contact us and we will help you every step of the way.

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Prefer to read this article in Spanish 🇪🇸? You can find it here: España lidera la concesión de permisos de residencia por estudios en la UE en 2024

The content of this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration regulations are subject to continuous interpretative and administrative changes. At ARC Legal we do our best to keep information up-to-date and cross-checked with official sources, but we always recommend consulting a specialised professional before starting any procedure or making legal decisions. If you need personalised advice on your situation, you can contact our firm.