Requesting a Long-term Student Visa to Spain in 2025

Today, there are several legal ways to relocate to Spain, each with its own requirements:

• Digital Nomad Visa – for remote workers with official employment and the ability to pay taxes in Spain (typically around 25%).
• Startup Visa – for entrepreneurs developing an innovative project 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 Spanish language schools or university programs.

Among these options, the student visa remains the most accessible. It doesn’t require large financial reserves or immediate tax registration in Spain. For this reason, many choose to begin their emigration journey through language studies or academic preparation.

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

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

Although the initial visa is typically issued for up to one calendar year, it can be renewed from within Spain without leaving the country — as long as your academic program qualifies for an extension.

For example:

• Spanish language courses can be extended for an additional year
• Bachelor’s degree programs allow you to stay for the full duration of your studies (typically 4–5 years)

To renew your student visa, you don’t need to exit the country. You simply submit your renewal documents to the local Spanish immigration office and continue studying while your case is being processed.

This means you can legally stay in Spain for 2 to 5 years on a student visa — and later apply for a work residency permit to remain long-term.

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

This institution can be:

• A university or business school, or
• A private Spanish language school accredited by the Cervantes Institute, or
• A professional (secondary specialized) educational center

However, Spanish consulates do review each application carefully and check for certain risk factors. When applying for a student visa through a language school, consular officers often consider:

• The applicant’s age
• Whether they have previously traveled to Spain
• Whether they have any background in studying Spanish

These checks are in place because many people use the student visa as an easier and more affordable alternative to Spain’s digital nomad or non-lucrative visas. As a result, the consulates try to assess the genuine intent behind each application.

If you plan to study Spanish language in Spain, please note: starting May 20, 2025, you will only be able to apply for a student visa through the Spanish consulate or embassy in your country of citizenship or legal residence.

However, if you are enrolled in a Spanish university (Bachelor’s or Master’s program), you have two options:

• Apply at the Spanish consulate in your home country, or
• Enter Spain legally as a tourist and apply for a student residence permit from within the country

To apply from within Spain, you must submit your residence application within the first 28 days of your 90-day legal stay under the Schengen visa-free regime. So you must have at least 63 days in your visa to apply in Spain.

The most important document for obtaining a Spanish student visa is the official invitation letter from a Spanish language school.

We assist students in enrolling in long-term language programs (4 to 12 months), and we offer discounted pricing through our partner schools. To qualify for the student visa, the course must include at least 20 hours of instruction per week (typically 4 hours per day). We work exclusively with schools that are accredited by the Cervantes Institute.

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

To learn more about long-term Spanish courses, please refer to the link below.

Spanish authorities typically require proof that you have secured accommodation in the city or region where you plan to study. However, you don’t need to book or pay for the entire duration of your course. A reservation or rental contract for the first 1–2 months is usually enough.

There are two common ways to arrange housing:

1. Book independently through platforms like Spotahome or Uniplaces. You can reserve a room, studio, or apartment and present the contract and payment confirmation to the consulate.
2. Request housing through the language school, if this service is offered. In this case, the school simply includes your accommodation details in the official invitation letter. This is easier from a paperwork standpoint — but it’s often the more expensive option.

Both approaches are valid, and we’ll help guide you through either process.
Check the article on short-term rent below

If you’re applying for a Spanish student visa for a stay longer than 180 days, you’ll need to submit a criminal record certificate from your country of origin. This document is usually issued by your Ministry of Internal Affairs or local police department.

Once you receive the certificate, it must be legalized with an Apostille — an official stamp that verifies the document for international use. This is often referred to as a “certificate of authentication.”

Finally, the certificate must be accompanied by an official sworn translation into Spanish.

Once you receive your official invitation letter from the school, you can apply for private health insurance. Many insurance providers in Spain offer special student plans, which are typically more affordable than standard policies. Your insurance must cover the entire duration of your studies.

Spanish authorities require that the insurance policy includes the following conditions:

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

The cost usually ranges between €500 and €900 per year, depending on the provider and your age (older applicants may pay more). At Liberty Lingvo, we partner with HNA Clinicum, Caser, and Sanitas, and we can help you select the right insurance plan 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 provide evidence that you (or a legal guardian or family sponsor) have sufficient financial resources to cover your living expenses and return travel for the entire duration of your stay — including any accompanying family members.

The minimum required amount is 100% of the IPREM (Indicador Público de Renta de Efectos Múltiples), which in 2025 is set at €600 per month. If you’ve prepaid for housing for the full length of your stay, the required amount may be reduced — however, we do not recommend lowering the amount, as Spanish authorities do not specify a clear threshold for the discount.

To prove financial solvency, students typically provide one of the following:

• A bank certificate showing the full amount for 12 months (at least €7,200 or more)
• A notarized sponsorship letter from a family member confirming they will provide €600/month, along with:
• Sponsor's bank certificate
• A document proving family relationship (e.g. birth certificate)

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

At the appointment:

• A consular officer will review your documents
• You’ll pay the student visa application fee (around 80 euros)

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 official processing time is around 1 month, in practice, it can take up to 3 months, depending on the case.

That’s why we recommend submitting your application at least 3 months before your course start date to avoid delays.

One of the most common reasons for student visa denial is the suspicion that the true purpose of your stay is not education, but immigration. Unfortunately, this is difficult to disprove — especially for older applicants.

However, if you’re under the age of 30 and can clearly demonstrate that your long-term goal is to pursue a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree after completing your language course, your chances of approval increase significantly.

In the event of a visa refusal, language schools usually recommend that you file an appeal with the Spanish authorities, explaining your academic goals and requesting a re-evaluation.

If your application is denied again, schools typically offer a refund of the full tuition, minus a small administrative fee (usually between €150 and €300).

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