Checklist for the study visa to Spain

As of May 20, 2025, applications submitted from the Spanish territory are permitted only for higher education institutions (universities) or FP Grado Superior (advanced vocational training) programs. To apply, you must hold a Schengen visa (or have a legal stay with your passport) valid for at least 70 days, as the application must be submitted no later than 62 days before your visa expires.

Applications based on enrollment in language schools (language courses or university pathway programs) can only be processed through BLS visa centers or Spanish consulates located in your country of citizenship or legal residence.

You can read more about the study visa application process here

Yes, for language courses, you are allowed one extension. This means you can study at a language school for one year and then extend your stay for another year.

After that, you must transition to a university (Master's or Bachelor's programs) or a vocational college (FP Grado Superior). You can submit your application while in Spain; this is not considered an extension, but rather a new application.

Subsequently, following those studies, you can transition to a work visa.

Both yes and no. Firstly, you can now only apply for a student visa for a language school if you are at least 18 years old.

Secondly, the older the applicant, the more questions and doubts the Consulate is likely to have regarding the student’s true intentions for the trip (i.e., the possibility of covert emigration). We have a successful track record of handling applications for students aged 18 to 50

There is no official list of countries or nationalities. However, we know that the denials (based on suspicions of covert emigration) are usually issued for citizens of the following countries:

MOROCCO, GHANA and many other countries from the African region. VIETNAM, BANGLADESH, INDIA, PAKISTAN, IRAN AND IRAQ

As a result, many schools and insurance companies may either decline to provide their services or, if accepted, will not provide refunds in case of visa denials.

Again, this is not our policy, but the schools'

Minor children or a spouse may accompany you only if you are pursuing higher education. Family members cannot accompany you if you are attending a language school. In other words, if you are a couple, both of you must apply as students, each enrolled in your own respective course.

As a language school student, you do not automatically have the right to work, but you can obtain it if you secure an employment contract. You may then request authorization to work up to 30 hours per week—in other words, you must first receive a job offer, and only then can you apply for the right to work.

If you are a university student, you have the right to work by default.

For 2026, you are required to show 600 euros per month—that is, a total of 7,200 euros (at a minimum!) for one year—in your own personal account or in the account of a sponsor. These funds are neither blocked nor frozen.

This amount does not include tuition costs

Both yes and no. If you are 18–20 years old, this is generally not required. However, the older the applicant, the more likely it is that the consulate will want to see that the decision to study abroad wasn’t made just yesterday—in other words, that the student has already been immersed in the subject matter and the language for some time.

Each case needs to be looked at individually.

For this purpose, there are specialized University Pathway courses offered at language schools. These programs allow you to both strengthen your Spanish language skills and prepare for the specific subjects required for university entrance exams in Spain.

Read about the university admission process in Spain

First of all, applying for a student visa currently does NOT require a housing reservation for the entire duration of your studies.

You only need to provide a booking for 3–4 WEEKS. You can use platforms like Booking, Airbnb, Spotahome, or other similar sites to find and book accommodation.

Very few schools offer their own housing, so most students typically book a place for a month through these platforms and then, upon arrival, find a room, studio, or apartment for the long term.

Check out our article for tips on finding short-term rentals.

No. For a Spanish student visa, you are required to obtain insurance from a Spanish provider that offers full coverage for the entire duration of your stay.

No copayments
No waiting periods
No limits

At Liberty Lingvo, we work with four insurance companies and can help you arrange your policy.

At Liberty Lingvo, we do not charge our students for consultations or assistance with obtaining a student visa, as the schools pay us a commission for each student. Our support services—covering courses, insurance, and visas—are completely free for our students.

Furthermore, we always provide the schools' direct pricing, without ever adding any extra charges.