FAQ 2026
Spain Student Visa
Spain Student Visa
100+ Questions Answered
Every question about the Spain student visa — eligibility, documents, timelines, work rights, health insurance, renewal, refusals, and a full student visa glossary. Updated April 2026.
All Questions
Spain Student Visa — All Questions Answered (2026)
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Application & Eligibility
Non-EU/EEA nationals who want to study in Spain for more than 90 days need a student visa (estancia por estudios or visado de estudios). EU/EEA citizens do not require a visa and can enrol at any Spanish institution directly. If you hold dual EU/non-EU nationality, travel and register as an EU citizen using your EU passport — you do not need a student visa at all.
To qualify, a course must run for more than 90 days, require at least 20 hours of in-person classroom instruction per week, and be delivered by an accredited Spanish institution. Language schools, university degrees (grado), master's programmes, PhD programmes, and vocational training (Formación Profesional) all qualify. Online-only courses do not qualify — in-person attendance is a hard requirement.
Yes — American citizens are non-EU nationals and need a student visa to study in Spain for more than 90 days. Spanish consulates in the US (Miami, Los Angeles, New York, Houston, Chicago, and San Francisco) are among the fastest globally, frequently processing applications in 1–3 weeks after the appointment. You apply at the consulate serving your state of legal residence.
Yes — post-Brexit, British citizens are non-EU nationals and require the full Spain student visa for stays over 90 days. The process is identical to other non-EU nationals. Apply at the Spanish Consulate in London (England, Wales, Northern Ireland) or Edinburgh (Scotland). Processing typically takes 4–8 weeks after appointment.
Yes — the Spain student visa (tipo D, MULT endorsement) permits free travel throughout the 27 Schengen member states for up to 90 days in any 180-day period outside Spain. Once your TIE card is issued, it also functions as a Schengen travel document alongside your passport.
The student visa (estancia por estudios) is for those enrolled in an official academic programme at an accredited institution. The researcher visa is for researchers formally affiliated with a recognised Spanish research organisation under a hosting agreement. Most PhD students at universities use the student visa.
Our service manages your full application end to end — document preparation, translation coordination, consulate form completion, and appointment guidance. If you prefer to apply independently, do so through the Spanish consulate serving your country of legal residence. An in-person appointment is mandatory — the visa cannot be obtained remotely.
Applications must be submitted at the Spanish consulate serving the country where you legally reside — not necessarily your country of citizenship. If you are living and working in Germany, apply at the Spanish consulate in Germany. You will typically need to show proof of legal residence in that country (residence permit or visa).
If one of your nationalities is EU/EEA, use that passport — you do not need a student visa at all and can simply register as an EU citizen in Spain. If both passports are non-EU, use the one from the country where you currently reside, as that determines which consulate processes your application.
There is no upper age limit. The student visa is available to any adult enrolled in a qualifying course. Applicants under 18 may have additional documentation requirements — a parent or guardian's notarised consent letter is typically required. Contact us if applying for a minor.
Course & School Requirements
Any institution authorised by the Spanish Ministry of Education or a regional educational authority to deliver regulated courses. This includes public and private universities, accredited language schools, official vocational training centres (centros de FP), and Escuelas Oficiales de Idiomas. Ask your school for its official registration number — legitimate institutions provide it immediately.
Yes, provided the school is officially registered with the Spanish authorities and your course involves at least 20 hours of in-person classroom instruction per week and runs for more than 90 days. Intensive Spanish language courses at accredited academias are one of the most common routes to the student visa. Confirm accreditation and weekly hours before enrolling.
A minimum of 20 hours of scheduled in-person classroom instruction per week. Self-study or online hours do not count towards this threshold. We recommend requesting written confirmation from your school that the 20-hour requirement is met entirely through in-person attendance — this precise wording matters at the consulate.
Your student visa is tied to the specific institution and course listed in your application. You cannot split your visa across two unrelated schools. If you want to add supplementary activities at a second institution, discuss this with us first — it must not replace or undermine your primary qualifying course.
Changing schools after arrival requires notifying the Oficina de Extrajería and having the change authorised before your current visa conditions lapse. It is not simply a matter of enrolling elsewhere. The new school must be accredited, the course must meet the 20-hour requirement, and the administrative change must be completed correctly to protect your TIE renewal eligibility.
You must have an official enrolment or acceptance letter. Many schools issue a conditional acceptance upon deposit payment. A full payment receipt is not always required at application stage, but including it strengthens your financial evidence. Full payment before the application is the safest position.
Gap year programmes typically do not qualify unless they involve a structured course of at least 20 in-person hours per week at an accredited institution lasting more than 90 days. Short programmes under 90 days do not require a visa — you can attend on a tourist entry. Only structured, long-form programmes at accredited institutions qualify.
Formación Profesional (FP) is Spain's official vocational training system, broadly equivalent to technical college qualifications. FP programmes at Grado Medio and Grado Superior level are officially regulated, delivered at accredited centres, and fully qualify for the student visa. FP is increasingly popular with international students seeking practical, career-focused Spanish education.
Documents & Requirements
The core document list: valid passport (minimum 12 months' validity beyond your intended departure), completed Spanish national visa application form (EX-01 or consulate-specific form), two recent passport photographs (35mm×45mm, white background), proof of enrolment from an accredited Spanish institution, police clearance certificate with apostille, medical certificate from a registered doctor, private health insurance certificate, proof of accommodation in Spain, and bank statements demonstrating sufficient funds. Requirements vary slightly by consulate.
An apostille is an official authentication certificate issued under the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention, confirming a document is genuine. Your police clearance certificate must have an apostille. Birth and marriage certificates may also require apostilles if you are bringing family. If your country is not a Hague Convention signatory, a full diplomatic legalisation chain is required instead, which takes considerably longer.
Documents not issued in Spanish must be accompanied by a sworn translation (traducción jurada) into Spanish, prepared by a translator officially sworn by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This typically applies to your criminal record certificate and bank statements. Some consulates accept English documents without translation — confirm with your specific consulate.
Your police clearance certificate must be issued within the 3 months immediately prior to your consulate appointment, and must be apostilled after issue. If your country's apostille service is slow, allow additional time and track the validity window carefully — an expired certificate will result in rejection.
A signed rental contract, official letter from student halls, or a signed letter of invitation (carta de invitación) from a Spanish resident host. The address must be in Spain. A hotel reservation is generally not accepted for a long-stay student visa. If you haven't found permanent accommodation before applying, a short-term rental contract or student accommodation acceptance letter is acceptable.
A signed certificate from a registered medical doctor confirming you do not suffer from any diseases with serious public health implications as defined by the International Health Regulations 2005. This is a standard letter most GPs can issue. No specific tests are required — it is a declaration of fitness. At some consulates it must be dated within 3 months of your appointment.
It must be an official letter on headed paper from the institution, confirming your name, course name, course start and end dates, weekly contact hours (at least 20 in-person hours per week), and bearing the institution's stamp or signature. If issued in English, check whether your consulate requires a sworn Spanish translation. We advise clients to request letters specifically worded to confirm the 20-hour in-person attendance requirement.
Yes — savings are fully acceptable. Consulates assess the totality of your financial position across 3–6 months of statements. A lump sum that arrived immediately before the application is less convincing than savings built up over time. A combination of steady income plus solid savings is the strongest profile.
Yes — parental or third-party sponsorship is widely accepted. Provide the sponsor's bank statements and a signed letter of financial commitment confirming they will fund your studies and living costs in Spain. Some consulates request a notarised version of this letter. The sponsor does not need to be a Spanish national or resident.
The Consulate Appointment
Most Spanish consulates use an online cita previa portal — visit the website of the consulate serving your area and look for the appointment booking section. Some consulates use a telephone system. Our service includes guidance on navigating the booking system for your specific consulate and notifies you as soon as a suitable slot becomes available.
As early as possible once your documents are ready. At popular consulates (London, New York, Los Angeles) appointments can be booked out 8–12 weeks in advance. If your course starts in September, begin chasing an appointment in June. Remember that consulates won't accept applications more than 90 days before your course start date — there is a balancing act between booking early and not overstepping the window.
Bring originals and copies of: passport, completed application form (EX-01), two passport photographs, enrolment letter, police clearance certificate with apostille, sworn translations (where required), medical certificate, health insurance certificate, proof of accommodation, bank statements, and any financial sponsorship letters. Keep documents in the exact order specified by your consulate's checklist.
No — your physical presence is mandatory. The consulate takes your biometric data (fingerprints) at the appointment. No proxy, representative, or family member can attend in your place. Our service manages everything else, but the appointment itself requires you personally.
You hand over your complete document file. A consulate officer reviews the documents and may ask basic questions about your course, finances, or accommodation plans. Your biometric data is taken. The officer confirms if any documents are missing. You receive a submission receipt. Processing then begins — you do not typically receive the visa on the day.
Missing your appointment without cancelling means you forfeit that slot and must rebook — which can significantly delay your timeline at busy consulates. If you have an emergency, contact the consulate as soon as possible to explain and request rescheduling. Some consulates have urgent provisions for genuine emergencies.
No — you must apply at the Spanish consulate with jurisdiction over your place of legal residence. A British citizen living in Dubai applies at the Spanish consulate in Dubai, not London. Attempting to apply at the wrong consulate will result in rejection. Our service identifies the correct consulate for you at the start of the process.
The consulate contacts you when your visa is ready — typically by email or SMS. Most consulates require you to collect in person; they return your passport with the visa sticker. Some consulates offer courier delivery. Collection typically requires the same documents you brought to your appointment, plus your submission receipt.
Timeline & Processing
The full process typically takes 8–12 weeks from starting document preparation to receiving your visa. Start at least 10 weeks before your intended travel date — 14 weeks if applying in peak season (May–August) when consulate appointments are scarce. Document preparation (particularly the criminal record and apostille) can take 4–6 weeks.
Once the consulate has your complete application, Spanish law requires a decision within one calendar month. In practice, US consulates often decide in 1–3 weeks; UK consulates typically take 4–6 weeks; other consulates may use the full month. The bottleneck is usually getting the appointment — not the decision itself.
Most consulates will not accept a visa application more than 90 days before your course start date. The practical sweet spot is to have your consulate appointment 60–80 days before your course begins — this gives the consulate enough time to decide while keeping your appointment within the acceptable window.
Contact the consulate directly explaining your course start date. Some consulates have urgent slots for students with imminent start dates. We can assist with a formal letter documenting your situation. Most Spanish institutions also offer a brief grace period for enrolment — confirm their policy before assuming you have missed the start.
The visa sticker specifies a validity window. You must enter Spain before that end date. Once you enter, you have 30 days to register at the town hall (empadronamiento) and book your TIE appointment. If you miss the entry window, the visa expires and you must reapply.
You have the right to lodge an administrative appeal (recurso de alzada) within one calendar month of the refusal date. Alternatively, you can reapply from scratch with a corrected application. Common refusal reasons: insufficient financial evidence, incomplete documents, or a weakly worded enrolment letter. Our team can review a refusal and advise on the strongest path forward.
Yes — your visa sticker is your authorisation to enter Spain and begin your studies. The TIE is applied for after arrival. You enter on your visa, then apply for the TIE within 30 days. During the gap between your TIE appointment and collecting the card, your appointment confirmation receipt is your proof of pending status.
TIE production can take 3–8 weeks after your appointment. If your original visa has expired and the TIE has not yet arrived, your EX-17 application form with its Modelo 790 payment receipt is legal proof of your pending application. For international travel before the TIE arrives, seek advice — the process is smoother once you have the physical card.
Health Insurance
Private health insurance from a company registered and operating in Spain. The policy must provide: no co-payments, no deductibles or excess charges, minimum €30,000 medical coverage per incident, coverage across all of Spain, and valid for the full duration of your course. International travel insurance policies are generally not accepted — it must be a Spanish-registered policy.
No — the EHIC/GHIC is only available to EU/EEA citizens and does not satisfy the visa insurance requirement. Non-EU nationals must have a Spanish-registered private insurance policy. Even EU nationals living in Spain long-term are advised to obtain local health registration rather than relying on the EHIC for extended stays.
The major accepted providers include Asisa, Mapfre Salud, Sanitas (part of Bupa), AXA Spain, Cigna Spain, Adeslas, and DKV. Our partner site Spanish Health Insurance offers policies specifically designed for student visa applicants, with certificates worded to satisfy consulate requirements. Individual adult coverage typically costs €50–120/month.
The certificate must explicitly state: your full name, the policy period (covering your entire course duration), that coverage is valid across all of Spain, that there are no co-payments or deductibles, and the coverage limit (at least €30,000). The insurer must be identifiable as a Spanish-registered entity. Generic confirmation letters without these specific details are regularly rejected.
Yes — the tarjeta sanitaria gives you access to Spain's public health system for day-to-day care, but private insurance remains a legal condition of your student visa for its entire duration. You must maintain valid private insurance throughout your studies. Insurance continuity is checked at renewal.
Allowing your insurance to lapse is a breach of your visa conditions. A gap in coverage is one of the most common reasons for renewal difficulties. Set a reminder to renew at least 2 weeks before expiry, and keep your new certificate ready in case it is requested by the extrajería or any authority.
Family policies are available and can be cost-effective. However, the certificate must list each person individually and confirm each person has the minimum required coverage. Some consulates insist on separate certificates per person even if covered under one policy. We recommend obtaining individual certificates for each applicant to eliminate any ambiguity.
It depends on the specific scheme. Some Spanish university schemes meet the visa requirements; many do not — especially those offered by language schools. Verify that the scheme provides at least €30,000 coverage with no co-payments or deductibles, and get a certificate that explicitly confirms all required terms. If in doubt, arrange a separate standalone policy.
Financial Requirements
Bank statements covering the last 3–6 months should show approximately €600–800 per month. For a 12-month course, demonstrate at least €8,400 in sustained available funds plus evidence that tuition fees are covered. Consistent monthly balances above €700 with no prolonged near-zero periods present the strongest profile.
Not strictly — but the consulate assesses whether your demonstrated income and savings pattern makes it plausible you can sustain the full stay. A student with €3,000 in savings applying for a 2-year course will face more scrutiny than one with €20,000. Regular monthly income alongside savings is the most credible presentation.
Statements in any currency are acceptable. Consulates convert to euros at the current exchange rate. For non-euro statements, a sworn translation accompanied by an exchange-rate note is helpful. If your bank provides euro statements alongside local currency, include both.
Investment and brokerage statements can be submitted as supplementary evidence. However, consulates prefer liquid bank account funds. If your wealth is primarily in investments, provide a recent portfolio valuation statement alongside your bank statements, and consider liquidating a portion into your bank account to demonstrate accessible funds.
No — your home country bank statements are what the consulate reviews. You will want to open a Spanish account after arriving to pay your TIE fee (Tasa 790 código 012) and for daily expenses. Popular options include BBVA, Sabadell, CaixaBank, and digital options like Revolut or Wise.
Yes — if you have paid tuition, include the payment receipt from your institution. This reduces the living funds you need to demonstrate. A paid tuition receipt is particularly useful if your bank balance is lower than ideal — it removes a major expense from the consulate's assessment.
If you work in Spain, you are subject to Spanish income tax (IRPF) on your Spanish earnings. Employers deduct IRPF at source. If you earn below the annual personal allowance (approximately €15,000/year), you may owe no tax and can recover withheld amounts via a tax return. Consult a Spanish gestor for advice specific to your situation.
Yes — add approximately €150–250/month per dependent child and approximately €300–500/month for a spouse or partner. Provide 6 months of statements rather than 3 when bringing dependents. These thresholds reflect IPREM-based assessments used in practice.
Work Rights While Studying
Yes — up to 30 hours per week. The right to work is automatic with the Spain student visa under Spanish law (Royal Decree 557/2011). No separate work permit is required. Your TIE card serves as proof of your right to work — your employer registers you with the Social Security system as any normal employee.
30 hours per week during term time. There is no statutory limit during official university vacation periods (summer, Christmas, Easter), though your employment contract and Spanish labour law maximums (generally 40 hours/week) still apply. The 30-hour limit covers total hours across all employers if you have more than one job.
Self-employment (autónomo status) is technically permitted on the student visa, but the registration process and associated social security obligations are administratively complex. In practice, most student visa holders work as employees. If you want to pursue self-employment, consult a Spanish gestor or immigration specialist to confirm the current rules.
Remote work for a foreign employer is a grey area. The student visa authorises work within Spain. Performing work for a foreign company while physically in Spain creates Spanish tax and employment law questions. Many students do this in practice, but it is not formally authorised in the same way as local employment. For long-term remote work, the Digital Nomad Visa may be a better fit.
Yes — paid internships (prácticas remuneradas) are permitted within the 30-hour weekly limit. Many Spanish universities and language schools facilitate student internship placements. Unpaid internships are also permitted and do not count against the 30-hour limit.
Common sectors include hospitality (bars, restaurants, hotels), retail, English language teaching, tutoring, childcare (au pair), and administrative or customer service roles. Barcelona and Madrid have large English-speaking expat communities with frequent demand for bilingual candidates. Your institution's careers service and local expat Facebook groups are useful starting points.
If you work as an employee, your employer registers you with the Spanish Social Security system (Seguridad Social), and you accrue rights including health coverage, unemployment contributions, and pension contributions. Once legally employed, normal employment law protections apply regardless of your visa type.
The 30-hour weekly cap applies to term-time weeks. During official university vacation periods there is no statutory hourly cap under student visa rules. However, your employment contract terms and Spanish labour law maximums (generally 40 hours/week) still apply. Your employer's contract takes precedence.
Family Members & Dependents
Yes — a legally married spouse or registered civil partner can apply as an accompanying family member (familiar acompañante). This requires a separate visa application with their own documents including proof of the relationship (marriage certificate with apostille), their own health insurance, and evidence of your combined financial means to support both of you.
Yes — dependent minor children (under 18) can accompany you. Each child requires their own visa application. Documents typically include birth certificates (apostilled), health insurance for the child, and proof of school enrolment if they are of school age. Additional financial evidence is required for each dependent.
Yes — each family member, including minor children, must submit an individual visa application with their own supporting documents. The application is linked to the main applicant's student visa but processed separately. Children do not always need to attend the consulate appointment in person — check with your specific consulate.
No — parents are not considered dependent family members for student visa family reunification purposes. They would need their own visa (tourist visa for short stays, or their own long-stay visa if eligible). Only your spouse/partner and minor dependent children can accompany you under the student visa route.
In addition to standard visa documents, family members need: proof of the family relationship (marriage certificate or birth certificate, apostilled), a letter from the main applicant confirming they will financially support the family member, and evidence that the main applicant's course and financial means are sufficient to support all family members.
A spouse or partner who enters on a family member visa linked to a student visa does not automatically have the right to work. To work legally in Spain, they need to obtain separate work authorisation. This is a separate administrative process. Contact us for advice specific to your situation if this applies to you.
Yes — all children resident in Spain, regardless of nationality or visa type, have a legal right to attend state school (colegio público). Enrolment is managed through your local town hall and the regional education department. You will need the child's empadronamiento certificate, birth certificate, and vaccination records.
If your partner is an EU citizen, they can enter and reside in Spain freely as an EU national and do not need a family member visa linked to your student visa. You would still need your own student visa. Once both of you are in Spain, you can formalise your EU family member status, which opens separate simplified registration routes for your partner.
After Arrival in Spain
(1) Register at your local town hall (empadronamiento) — bring passport and lease; (2) book your TIE appointment online via the cita previa system — do this within the first 3–5 days as slots fill quickly; (3) pay your TIE application fee (Tasa 790 código 012) at a Spanish bank; (4) attend your TIE appointment with form EX-17, payment receipt, passport, empadronamiento certificate, enrolment letter, insurance certificate, and two passport photos.
The Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE) is your physical Spanish residency card. It carries your NIE number and confirms your legal student resident status. Apply at your local Oficina de Extrajería within 30 days of arriving using form EX-17. The card typically arrives 3–8 weeks after your appointment, during which your appointment receipt is your proof of status.
Empadronamiento is registering your residential address on Spain's municipal census (padrón municipal) at your local ayuntamiento (town hall). It is legally required within 30 days of establishing residence. You need the empadronamiento certificate for your TIE appointment, health centre registration, school enrolment for children, and many other processes. It is free and takes under 30 minutes in person.
The Número de Identidad de Extranjero (NIE) is your unique personal identification number in Spain, printed on your TIE card. You need it to open a bank account, sign a rental contract, start employment, pay taxes, buy a vehicle, and complete any official process in Spain. Your NIE never changes, regardless of how many times you renew your visa.
Once you have your TIE and empadronamiento, you can register at your local health centre (centro de salud) and request a tarjeta sanitaria and a médico de cabecera (GP). This gives you access to Spain's public health system for routine care and prescriptions. This is separate from your private insurance, so you effectively have access to both systems.
You will need your passport, NIE (from your TIE or a prior NIE certificate), and empadronamiento certificate. Major banks (BBVA, Sabadell, CaixaBank) offer student accounts, some with no fees. Digital banks like Revolut, Wise, or N26 are useful from day one and don't require NIE — a good interim solution while you wait for your TIE.
A gestor is a licensed Spanish administrative professional who handles official paperwork on your behalf — tax filings, TIE applications, business registrations. For most students, a gestor is not essential, but one is very useful if you start working, need to file a Spanish tax return, want to set up as autónomo, or have any complex administrative situation. Fees are typically €50–150 for standard tasks.
Modelo 790 Código 012 is the official fee form for TIE applications. Download and complete it from the Spanish government's extrajería portal, then take it to any Spanish bank branch to pay the fee in person (approximately €16). The stamped receipt is a key document for your TIE appointment. You cannot pay online — bank payment is mandatory.
International Schengen travel before your TIE arrives is possible — your visa and appointment receipt document your status — but border officers sometimes ask questions. The process is smoother with your TIE in hand. If your visa is still valid, use it alongside your appointment receipt for Schengen border crossings. Non-Schengen travel (e.g., to the UK) is straightforward with just your passport.
Renewal & After Graduation
No — the renewal (prórroga de estancia por estudios) is handled entirely within Spain at your local Oficina de Extrajería. You do not return to your home country or visit an embassy. This is a major advantage of the student visa — you can complete multi-year programmes without leaving Spain for immigration purposes.
Apply within the 60-day window before your current TIE card expires. Do not apply earlier — the office will generally not process before the window opens. Start assembling renewal documents 8 weeks before expiry so you're ready to submit on the first eligible day.
Standard renewal documents: EX-17 form, Modelo 790 payment receipt, current TIE card, passport, proof of continued enrolment, valid health insurance certificate, updated empadronamiento certificate, bank statements (3–6 months), and proof of academic attendance (transcript or attendance certificate). Requirements can vary by province — confirm with your local extrajería.
Academic progression is assessed at renewal. You must demonstrate ongoing active enrolment and meaningful academic progress. Failing all modules or being formally deregistered by your institution is likely to result in a renewal refusal. A single failed module while still enrolled and re-sitting is usually not fatal. If you are worried about your academic situation, contact us before your renewal deadline.
There is no fixed limit on renewals. You can renew annually for as long as you remain enrolled in an eligible course and meet all conditions. After 5 years of continuous legal residence in Spain (combining student and other legal status periods), you may be eligible for EU long-term residency.
After completing a university degree, graduates can apply for a 12-month job seeker extension (prórroga para búsqueda de empleo o para iniciar un proyecto empresarial). This gives you 12 months to find sponsored employment or establish a business, while remaining legally resident. It is available to university-level graduates — not language school or FP graduates. Apply before your TIE expires.
Yes — if you find a Spanish employer willing to sponsor you, you can transition from the student visa to a work permit from within Spain, without returning home. The employer applies for the work authorisation on your behalf. The job seeker extension year is useful for making this transition without time pressure.
Time on the student visa counts toward long-term EU residency (5 years). For Spanish nationality citizenship, student years count at only 50% — Spain normally requires 10 years of continuous legal residence, but student years only count as half. Nationals of Latin American countries, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, and Andorra need only 2 years of residence regardless.
Refusals, Appeals & Problems
The most common reasons: (1) insufficient or unconvincing financial evidence; (2) an enrolment letter that fails to confirm 20 in-person hours per week; (3) health insurance that does not meet the no-copayment, €30,000-minimum requirements; (4) a criminal record or apostille dated outside the 3-month window; (5) missing documents; (6) inconsistencies between documents (different addresses, name spellings, dates).
Lodge an administrative appeal (recurso de alzada) with the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Madrid within one calendar month of the refusal date. The appeal must be in Spanish, explain specifically why the refusal was incorrect, and attach supporting evidence. If the appeal is rejected, you can escalate to a judicial appeal — though most applicants find it faster to reapply with corrected documents.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has 3 months to respond. In practice, responses arrive in 6–10 weeks. If no response arrives within 3 months, the appeal is deemed rejected by administrative silence, at which point you can pursue the judicial route or simply reapply. Many applicants reapply in parallel with the appeal to avoid losing time.
Yes — there is no mandatory waiting period. You can reapply as soon as you have addressed the reasons for refusal and your documents remain in date. Given that criminal records and apostilles have a 3-month validity window, timing a reapplication needs care. Contact us after a refusal and we will advise on the fastest path forward.
Report the loss to the Policía Nacional and obtain a crime report (denuncia). Take the denuncia to your local Oficina de Extrajería to request a replacement TIE. You will need a new Modelo 790 payment and form EX-17. Keep a certified copy of your TIE in a separate location so you can identify yourself while the replacement is processed.
Renew your passport through your home country's consulate or embassy in Spain. Once your new passport is issued, take it to the Oficina de Extrajería to have your TIE linked to the new passport number — a straightforward administrative update. Your TIE validity is not affected by a passport change, but having mismatched passport numbers in different documents can cause complications at borders.
Costs, Service & How We Help
Our service fee is €799 total, paid in two stages: €300 to get started, then €499 once your visa is approved. The Spanish consulate visa fee (approximately €80) is separate and paid directly to the consulate. Other third-party costs — criminal record, apostille, sworn translations, medical certificate, health insurance — vary by country but typically total €500–1,500.
Our service covers: a dedicated case manager, full personalised document checklist, review of all documents before submission, sworn translation coordination (up to €75 of translations included), consulate form completion, consulate appointment guidance, and ongoing support until your visa is in your passport. We handle everything except your physical attendance at the consulate appointment.
Yes — it is possible to apply independently. The consulate process is publicly documented. However, most refusals happen due to easily avoidable errors: wrong wording on the enrolment letter, insurance that doesn't explicitly state no co-payments, bank statements that don't cover the right period, or a missing apostille. Our value is in preventing these errors before the appointment.
Click 'Start Application' at the top of any page. You'll be taken to our client dashboard at Platinum Legal Spain, where you complete a short intake form. Your dedicated case manager will reach out within one working day to outline your next steps and provide your personalised document checklist.
If your visa is refused for reasons within our control (for example, a document error on our part), we refund our service fee in full. If the refusal is due to factors outside our control despite our advice, we will review and advise on a reapplication path. Full details are in our Refund Policy.
Yes — we work with many clients who have already received a refusal. We review the refusal notice carefully, identify the specific grounds, and build a corrected application addressing every point. Contact us with details of your refusal and we will advise on the best path forward.
Student Visa Glossary
Key Spanish immigration and administrative terms explained.
- Apostille
- Official authentication certificate issued under the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention, confirming a document's authenticity. Required on your criminal record certificate for the student visa application.
- Ayuntamiento
- Town hall or city council — the local government office where you register your address (empadronamiento).
- Carta de invitación
- Formal letter of invitation from a Spanish resident host, used as proof of accommodation when you are not renting independently.
- Cita previa
- 'Prior appointment' — the online booking system used for consulate appointments, TIE applications, and most official administrative procedures in Spain.
- Empadronamiento
- Registration of your residential address on Spain's municipal census (padrón municipal) at the local ayuntamiento. Required within 30 days of arriving and a prerequisite for the TIE application.
- EX-01
- The Spanish national long-stay visa application form used for student visa applications at consulates outside Spain.
- EX-17
- The application form for the TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero), submitted at the Oficina de Extrajería in Spain after arrival.
- Extrajería / Oficina de Extrajería
- The Spanish immigration office where you apply for and renew the TIE and handle in-Spain immigration procedures.
- Formación Profesional (FP)
- Spain's official vocational training system, broadly equivalent to technical college qualifications. FP Grado Medio and Grado Superior programmes qualify for the student visa.
- Gestor / Gestoría
- A licensed Spanish administrative professional or agency handling official paperwork — tax filings, TIE applications, business registration — on behalf of clients. Expert in Spanish bureaucratic procedures.
- IPREM
- Indicador Público de Renta de Efectos Múltiples — Spain's official public income reference index, used as the benchmark for calculating financial thresholds in visa and benefit applications. Monthly IPREM in 2026 is approximately €600.
- IRPF
- Impuesto sobre la Renta de las Personas Físicas — Spanish personal income tax, withheld at source by employers and declared annually in the renta (tax return).
- Modelo 790
- Official Spanish government fee payment form. Modelo 790 Código 012 is used to pay the TIE application fee at a Spanish bank branch. Cannot be paid online.
- NIE
- Número de Identidad de Extranjero — your unique personal identification number in Spain, printed on your TIE card. Used for all official, tax, banking, and contractual purposes. Never changes.
- Notaria / Notario
- A Spanish notary public — an official who legally certifies documents and declarations. Used for notarised versions of financial sponsorship letters, powers of attorney, and similar documents.
- Padrón municipal
- Spain's municipal population register. Registration on the padrón (empadronamiento) gives you official resident status within the municipality and is required for most administrative processes.
- Prórroga
- Extension or renewal — specifically prórroga de estancia por estudios is the in-Spain renewal of the student visa, processed at the Oficina de Extrajería.
- Recurso de alzada
- Administrative appeal — the formal objection you can lodge with the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs within one month of a visa refusal.
- Tarjeta sanitaria
- Spain's public health card, registering you with a local health centre and assigning you a GP. Does not replace private insurance as a visa condition.
- TIE
- Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero — the physical residency card issued to non-EU nationals legally resident in Spain. Applied for within 30 days of arrival using form EX-17. Carries your NIE number.
- Tipo D
- Long-stay visa category in the Schengen system, authorising stays of more than 90 days. The Spain student visa is a Tipo D visa issued with a MULT (multiple entry) endorsement.
- Traducción jurada
- Sworn translation — a legally certified Spanish translation of a foreign-language document, prepared by a translator officially sworn by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Visado de estudios
- Student visa — the official term for the Spain student visa (also called estancia por estudios). A Tipo D national visa authorising non-EU nationals to reside in Spain for the purpose of full-time study at an accredited institution.