University Degree
Spain Student Visa

Yes — a bachelor's degree (grado) at an officially recognised Spanish university fully qualifies for the Spain student visa. Spanish public universities and ANECA-accredited private universities are automatically accepted.

Yes, if you are a non-EU national studying for more than 90 days. The private university must be officially accredited by ANECA (Spanish National Agency for Quality Assessment) for your enrolment letter to be accepted.

The initial visa covers the first year of your course. You renew annually (prorroga de estancia por estudios) for each subsequent year. For a 4-year grado, you apply initially and renew 3 times.

Yes — you can work up to 30 hours per week. The right is automatic with your student visa and no separate work permit is required.

Years on a student visa count at 50% toward the 5-year permanent residency requirement. 4 years as a student + 3 years working = 5 qualifying years.

Yes — the student visa does not require the course to be taught in Spanish. Many Spanish universities offer English-medium degree programmes. The requirement is for the school to be accredited — not for the course language.

An official enrolment letter (carta de matricula) on university letterhead showing your name, course name, start and end dates, number of ECTS credits per semester (confirming the study hours), and the university stamp and authorised signature.

Yes. Full-time enrolment at an accredited Spanish university for a Grado (bachelor's degree), Máster, or Doctorado (PhD) automatically qualifies for a Spanish student visa. The university must be officially recognised by the Spanish education authority (Ministerio de Educación). Part-time study may not qualify — check with your consulate.

The visa is typically issued for one academic year and must be renewed annually (prórroga de estancia por estudios). A standard Spanish Grado degree lasts 4 years, so you will need three annual renewals. Each renewal requires proof of academic progress (passing a minimum number of ECTS credits per year), continued enrolment, financial means, and valid health insurance.

The typical requirement is passing at least 50% of the ECTS credits enrolled in the previous academic year. Universities vary in how strictly this is applied, and some consulates require an academic transcript at renewal. Failing to demonstrate progress can lead to renewal being refused. If you are struggling academically, speak with your university's international student office about your options.

You can change, but you must notify the immigration authorities and provide a new enrolment letter from your new institution as soon as the change takes effect. Your immigration status references your enrolment — a gap between institutions without an authorisation update creates a non-compliance issue. Consult an immigration specialist before making the change.

Spanish universities teaching in Spanish do not require a separate Spanish language visa requirement — the consulate does not test your Spanish. However, you must meet the university's own language admission requirements. Many Spanish universities also offer programmes taught in English at Master's level. For undergraduate degrees taught in Spanish, demonstrating B2 level is commonly required by the university.