Spain boasts some of Europe’s most coveted business schools. IESE Business School in Barcelona ranked third in the 2025 Financial Times Global MBA Ranking, while fellow Barcelona-based institution Esade Business School also makes the FT’s top ten. Madrid, Spain’s capital, is similarly popular among international students, home to IE Business School and a campus of ESCP Business School, the world’s oldest business school.
EU-based and Swiss applicants need not worry about obtaining a visa to study in Spain. But for all other international students, there are specific requirements for getting a student visa.
Here, we break down the key information required to obtain a student visa 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 Spain student visa process
Non-Europeans applying to business school in Spain will need to secure 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 €60 for most nationalities, with notable exclusions including the US.
What documents are needed for a student visa in 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 left until 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 with your application. You must also be able to provide proof of acceptance of study from your university of choice.
Applicants are required to submit proof of financial means to demonstrate they can cover tuition fees and living costs during their studies. For living costs, you’ll need to cover at least €600 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 covering all the 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 the applicant’s parent or legal guardian, assuming all costs associated with their studies (to do this you’ll need to show proof of relationship, such as applicant’s birth certificate, parent/guardian’s passport, as well as six months of 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. Alongside this, you need to submit a medical certificate demonstrating that you do not suffer from any disease that may cause ‘serious repercussions for public health’. A criminal record check certificate issued by your country of residence is also necessary.
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, therefore, would be ideal for students looking to study a semester abroad, but no longer.
The long-term student visa for Spain allows you to study for over six months. This would allow you to enroll in any undergraduate or postgraduate degree program in Spain. The application process is more complex, and may require you (as outlined above) to provide proof of financial means and health insurance.
How much does a Spanish student visa application cost?
The cost of a student visa for Spain depends on where you are coming from. For the majority of nationalities, it costs €60 (around $69). For US students, it costs €135 ($155), and for Canadian students, it costs €80 ($90).
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 2025?
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 interview, or if additional documents are requested. 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 are allowed to work in Spain while holding a student visa, for up to 30 hours per week. This doesn’t need to be related to your field of study.
It’s worth noting, however, that this work cannot be considered your main source of income and will not count toward any proof of financial means while studying in Spain. It also will not count towards you extending or renewing your student visa (which often demands certain economic requirements).
Securing your Spain student visa
With three universities in the world’s top 20 MBA programs, Spain stands among the best of 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 all those seeking to study in the country from outside of the EU.
The process requires key documentation, with applicants required to submit their passport (which must be in-date), acceptance letter, proof of funds to finance their studies, as well as health insurance and other materials that vary depending on personal situation. Applicants should also be aware of the costs involved, and note that a typical process takes 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 certainly makes it worth it.
