Where to Request Long-term Student Visa to Spain in 2025

There are several legal options available for relocating to Spain, each with its own set of requirements:

• Digital Nomad Visa – Designed for remote workers with official employment contracts and the ability to pay taxes in Spain (typically around 25%).
• Startup Visa – Ideal for entrepreneurs launching an innovative business within Spain.
• Non-Lucrative Visa – For individuals with passive income of at least €2,700 per month and €30,000+ in savings.
• Student Visa – For those enrolling in language schools or university programs across Spain.

Among these, the student visa is often the most accessible. It doesn’t require significant financial reserves or immediate tax commitments, making it a popular choice for those starting their journey toward long-term residence in Spain through education or language immersion.

A Spanish student visa allows you to live in Spain legally for the full duration of your academic program. There are two main types:

• Short-term – valid for up to 90 days
• Long-term – valid for 91 days to 1 year

While the initial long-term visa is usually issued for up to one year, the good news is that it can be renewed from within Spain — you don’t need to leave the country, as long as your program qualifies for an extension.

Here are a few common scenarios:

• Spanish language courses can typically be extended for an additional year
• Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs allow you to remain in Spain for the entire length of your studies — often 4 to 5 years

To renew, you simply submit your documents to the local immigration office, and you’re allowed to continue studying while your case is under review.

In total, you can remain in Spain for 2 to 5 years on a student visa — and once you complete your studies, you may be eligible to switch to a work residence permit and stay long-term.

In theory, any foreign national can apply for a student visa to Spain — there are no official restrictions based on nationality. The main requirement is enrollment in a full-time educational program (at least 20 hours per week) at an officially accredited institution.

Acceptable institutions include:

• University or business school
• Private Spanish language school accredited by the Cervantes Institute
• Vocational or professional training center

That said, Spanish consulates carefully evaluate each application — especially for language school visas. There are certain red flags that Consulates look at:

• Your age
• Whether you’ve previously traveled to Spain
• If you have any background in learning Spanish

These additional checks are in place because some applicants try to use the student visa as a simpler and more affordable alternative to more demanding options like the digital nomad or non-lucrative visas. For this reason, consulates work to determine whether your academic intent is genuine.

The most important document required for a Spanish student visa is the official invitation letter issued by an accredited Spanish language school. At Liberty Lingvo, we help students enroll in long-term Spanish courses (ranging from 4 to 12 months) and offer discounted tuition through our network of trusted partner schools.

To meet student visa requirements, your program must include a minimum of 20 hours of instruction per week (typically 4 hours per day). We work exclusively with schools accredited by the Cervantes Institute, ensuring your course is fully recognized by Spanish authorities.

Once your course is paid in full, the school will issue the official invitation letter. We receive it directly and forward it to you for submission to the Spanish consulate or embassy in your country.

Spanish authorities generally require proof of accommodation in the city or region where you’ll be studying. Fortunately, you don’t need to secure housing for the entire duration of your program — a reservation or rental agreement for the first 1–2 months is usually sufficient.

There are two main ways to arrange accommodation:

1. Book independently through platforms like Spotahome or Uniplaces. You can reserve a room, studio, or apartment, and then provide the contract and payment confirmation to the Spanish consulate.
2. Request housing through your language school, if available. In this case, the school simply adds the accommodation details to your invitation letter — which simplifies paperwork, though this option is often more expensive.

Both options are valid, and we’re happy to help you choose the one that works best for your situation.

If you’re applying for a Spanish student visa for more than 180 days, you’ll need to provide a criminal record certificate issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs or the police department in your country of origin.

After obtaining the certificate, it must be legalized with an Apostille — an official stamp that confirms the document’s validity for international use. This process is sometimes referred to as obtaining a “certificate of authentication.”

The final step is to include an official sworn translation into Spanish, completed by a certified translator.

Once you’ve received your official invitation letter from the school, you’ll need to purchase private health insurance. Many Spanish insurance providers offer special student plans, which are typically more affordable than regular policies. Your insurance must cover the entire duration of your studies in Spain.

To meet visa requirements, the policy must include the following:

• Sin carencia – no waiting periods
• Sin copagos – no co-payments for essential medical services
• Sin límites – no coverage limits

The cost of student health insurance typically ranges between €500 and €900 per year, depending on the provider and the applicant’s age — older students may pay slightly more.

At Liberty Lingvo, we partner with trusted companies like HNA Clinicum, Caser, and Sanitas and can assist you in selecting the best policy for your visa application.

If you’re applying for a Spanish student visa for more than 180 days, you’ll need to submit a medical certificate. This document must confirm that you do not suffer from any illnesses that could pose a threat to public health, in accordance with the International Health Regulations of 2005.

The certificate must also be accompanied by an official sworn translation into Spanish.

To apply for a Spanish student visa, you must show proof that you — or your legal guardian or family sponsor — have sufficient financial resources to cover your living expenses and return travel for the entire duration of your stay. This also applies to any accompanying family members.

As of 2025, the minimum financial requirement is set at 100% of the IPREM (Indicador Público de Renta de Efectos Múltiples), which equals €600 per month. If you’ve prepaid for housing for the entire stay, this amount may be reduced — but we strongly recommend meeting the full amount, as Spanish authorities don’t provide a clear formula for calculating any discount.

You can prove financial means in one of two ways:

• Bank certificate in your name showing a balance of at least €7,200 (for 12 months), or
• Notarized sponsorship letter from a family member confirming they will support you with €600 per month, accompanied by:
• The sponsor’s bank certificate, and
• Document proving your relationship (such as a birth certificate)

This documentation must be presented in Spanish or accompanied by an official sworn translation.

Once you’ve collected all the required documents, the next step is to book an appointment at the Spanish consulate or embassy in your country of residence. You’ll need to bring both the original documents and photocopies, except for the invitation letter from the school and your medical insurance, which are generally accepted as copies.

During your appointment:

• A consular officer will review your documents
• You’ll pay the student visa application fee, which is typically around €80

After submission, your application will be reviewed by both the Spanish consulate and the immigration office in the region where you plan to study.
While the standard processing time is about 1 month, in many cases it can take up to 3 months, depending on the location and workload.

That’s why we strongly recommend submitting your application at least 3 months before your course begins to avoid unnecessary delays.

One of the most frequent reasons for student visa denial is the suspicion that your true intention is to immigrate, rather than study. This concern is especially common with older applicants, and unfortunately, it can be difficult to fully disprove.

However, if you’re under 30 and can demonstrate a clear plan to continue your education — for example, by pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree after your language course — your chances of approval are much higher.

If your visa is denied, most language schools will recommend that you file an official appeal with the Spanish immigration authorities, explaining your academic goals and requesting a re-evaluation of your case.

Should your appeal also be denied, schools typically offer a refund of your tuition, minus a small administrative fee (usually €150 to €300).