Student permits in Spain | 2026 Guide

Spain has become one of the most attractive destinations for international students in recent years. Prestigious universities, master’s programs taught in both English and Spanish, a competitive cost of living compared to other European countries, and an unmatched quality of life explain why more and more students from around the world choose Spain to continue their education.

To adapt to this reality, Spain has updated its immigration framework. Since May 2025, a new Immigration Regulation has been in force, introducing important changes to the system governing stays for higher education studies. In this guide, we explain in a simple and practical way how the student permit for higher education now works in Spain and what you should take into account before starting the process.

⏺️ What is considered “higher education” in Spain?

For immigration purposes, higher education refers to studies carried out at officially recognized higher education institutions in Spain, within a full-time academic program.

This includes:

Undergraduate degrees
Official university master’s degrees
Doctoral programs
University master’s degrees and “títulos propios”
Non-university higher education studies (arts, design, music, etc.)
Other programs taught by officially recognized higher education institutions

An important point to note: “títulos propios” are also valid for applying for a student permit, provided that the institution is authorized and the program has real and coherent academic content.

💡 For a program to be valid for immigration purposes, it must be full-time.

This means:
– Being enrolled in at least 90% of the academic credits
– Not taking partial or modular studies

In practical terms, most undergraduate and master’s programs meet this requirement without any issue. Semester-based or trimester-based programs are also accepted, as long as they last more than 90 days.

⏺️ Where can the student permit be applied for?

One of the most important — and often most confusing — aspects is when and where the student permit can be applied for.

Application from the country of origin (via embassy / consulate)

This is the most common route.

In this case, you must apply for a student visa at the Spanish consulate in your country of residence. This visa automatically includes the authorization to study in Spain.

Regarding timing, the general rule is clear:

The application must be submitted at least two months before the start of the studies.

In other words, being admitted to a university is not enough — proper planning is essential, especially during peak periods such as summer and the beginning of the academic year.

Application from Spain: only in specific cases and within strict deadlines

The new Regulation introduces a very useful option, but with clear limitations.

If you are already in Spain legally (for example, with a short-stay tourist visa), you may apply for the student permit from within Spain, but only if you are enrolling in higher education studies.

Here, deadlines are crucial:

The application must be submitted at least two months before your legal stay in Spain expires
And also at least two months before the start of the studies

This means that waiting until the last moment is not possible. If your tourist stay is about to expire, you will no longer be able to apply from Spain and will need to leave the country.

⏺️ How long does the student permit last?

This is one of the main improvements introduced by the new Regulation. If you are enrolled in higher education studies, your student permit is granted for the entire official duration of the program, without the need for annual renewals.

For example:

One-year master’s degree → permit valid for one year
Four-year bachelor’s degree → permit valid for the full four years

In addition, the permit usually includes:

One month before the start of classes
15 days after the completion of the studies

If you prefer, you may request that the permit covers only the exact duration of the academic program.

⏺️ Financial requirements: how much money do I need?

To obtain a student permit in Spain, you must demonstrate that you have sufficient financial means to support yourself during your stay.

As a general reference, you must prove an amount equivalent to 100% of the monthly IPREM for each month of study. If you are accompanied by family members, an additional amount is required for each of them.

Financial means can mainly be demonstrated through:

Personal savings
Financial support from close family members
Income derived from work compatible with your studies

In addition, if your accommodation is already paid for or guaranteed (for example, if you are living with a family member), its value may be taken into account to meet this requirement.

Each application is assessed individually, so it is important to present a clear and consistent financial situation.

⏺️ Mandatory health insurance

You must have comprehensive private health insurance, with no co-payments or waiting periods, valid in Spain and covering the entire duration of your stay. If you are legally working and registered with the Spanish Social Security system, this requirement is considered fulfilled.

💡 At ARC Legal Abogados, we also assist with the arrangement of health insurance, one of the key requirements for obtaining a student permit. We guide you in choosing a policy that meets immigration requirements, avoiding insurance plans that could cause issues during the application process. This ensures you have valid coverage from the start, with no surprises along the way.

⏺️ Can I work while studying in Spain?

This is one of the questions we are most frequently asked. If you are enrolled in higher education studies, your student permit automatically allows you to work, without the need to apply for an additional work authorization.

This is one of the major advantages of the current system for international students.

Main conditions

You may work up to 30 hours per week
The work must be compatible with your studies and must not interfere with class attendance or academic obligations
You may work both as an employee or as a self-employed professional, within these limits

In practice, many students use this option for:

Part-time jobs
Paid internships
Junior positions related to their field of study
Supplementing their income during the academic year

While the main purpose of the permit is studying, the regulations recognize that working can be part of the educational experience and integration process in Spain.

⏺️ Can my family members accompany me while I study in Spain?

Yes, but only in specific cases.

Spanish regulations allow international students to be accompanied by family members only when they are enrolled in higher education studies. This does not apply to other types of studies or training.

Which family members may accompany you?

The following may apply for a permit to accompany you in Spain:

Your spouse
Your registered or duly proven stable partner
Your minor children
In certain cases, adult children who are financially dependent on you for justified reasons

Family members receive a permit linked to yours, and their stay in Spain will have the same duration as your student permit.

Can family members work?

No. The permit granted to family members does not automatically authorize them to work in Spain. It is intended solely to allow them to accompany you during your studies.

If a family member wishes to work, they would need to apply for a separate permit that explicitly authorizes employment.

When and where can family members apply?

Family members may submit their application:

At the same time as your student application
Or later, once your student permit has been approved

The application can be submitted:

From the country of origin, through the consulate
Or from Spain, if the family member is already legally in the country

In all cases, the approval of the family members’ permits is strictly dependent on the approval of your student permit.

💡 To bring family members with you, you must demonstrate sufficient financial means to cover not only your own expenses but also those of your accompanying family members. This requires more careful planning in advance.

⏺️ How can ARC Legal Abogados help you?

Studying in Spain is an exciting experience, but it also involves many important decisions: choosing the right university, meeting deadlines, preparing the application correctly, and managing procedures that can be complex, especially from abroad.

At ARC Legal, we support international university students from the very beginning, offering comprehensive assistance to ensure the entire process is clear, structured, and stress-free.

We assist you from the initial stages — including guidance in choosing a university and academic program — through to the final steps once you are in Spain, including:

Student visa applications from your country of origin
Student permit applications from Spain, where permitted by law
Full support through the issuance of the Foreigner Identity Card (TIE)
Assistance with registration with the local municipality and other administrative procedures
Homologation of high school diplomas

We also support students who complete their studies in Spain, particularly master’s students, by handling the collection of their diploma and academic transcript, as well as their legalization and apostille, so the documents can be used without complications in Spain or abroad.

Our goal is for you not to worry about bureaucracy before, during, or after your academic journey. We take care of the paperwork so you can focus on what truly matters: your education and your professional future.

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¿Prefieres leer este artículo en español 🇪🇸? Aquí tienes el enlace: Estudiantes internacionales en España | Guía 2026

The content of this article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration regulations are subject to continuous interpretative and administrative changes. At ARC Legal, we make every effort to keep information up to date and verified against official sources; however, we always recommend consulting a specialized professional before initiating any procedure or making legal decisions. If you require personalized legal advice regarding your situation, you may contact our firm.