The study stay permit allows you to remain in Spain for more than ninety days to pursue higher education, vocational training, upper secondary school (bachillerato) or other recognised programmes. It is a suitable route for international students and for families planning a period of study in Spain.
It is commonly called a "student visa", although technically the regulations refer to a long-term stay permit for study purposes. This permit allows you to remain in Spain for more than ninety days to pursue higher education, post-compulsory secondary education or other cases provided for by law. These include, for example, official university degrees or university-specific qualifications, higher arts education, vocational training, upper secondary school and other regulated programmes.
It is important to distinguish this route from ordinary residence. A study stay is not primarily intended as a residence permit for simply settling in Spain; it is a permit tied to a specific programme of study, at a recognised institution, for a set duration and with a clear academic purpose.
For family or high-net-worth profiles, this route can make sense when the real goal is to study in Spain or to accompany a student. It should not be forced to fit when the main purpose is to live in Spain without studying, to work or to start an economic activity.
The student visa may suit international students — including minors — who have been admitted to a university, vocational training centre, higher education school or recognised academic programme in Spain. For minors, the application is made by their parents, guardians or authorised representative, in the terms set out in the regulations.
For clients with financial means, this route typically arises in three scenarios. First, an adult or minor student who wishes to study in Spain and needs to prepare their consular application properly. Second, a family that wants one of its children to study in Spain and needs to put the financial, health and family documentation in order. Third, a professional taking a master's degree, specialisation programme or higher education course as a first step towards a longer-term stay.
The application must show that the purpose of study is genuine. Admission to the institution, payment of tuition or enrolment fees, the programme format, its duration and the consistency between the studies and the applicant's personal background are all relevant factors.
Among other requirements, the applicant must not be a citizen of the European Union, the European Economic Area or Switzerland, must not be in Spain irregularly, must not be listed as inadmissible and, where applicable, must show that they do not suffer from any disease with serious public health implications. The application must be submitted sufficiently in advance of the start of the studies, in accordance with the rule applicable in each case.
For higher education, the programme must be offered by a recognised institution or centre and lead to a recognised higher education qualification. For post-compulsory secondary education, it must also be an authorised centre and a programme leading to a recognised qualification. The specific requirements may vary depending on the type of studies and the applicant's age, so each case must be reviewed.
The applicant must show sufficient financial means to cover their stay and return and, where applicable, the expenses of their family members. As a general reference, the Ministry sets 100% of the monthly IPREM (Spain's public income reference index) for the student's maintenance, 75% of the IPREM for the first family member and 50% of the IPREM for each additional family member. These amounts do not include the cost of the studies, which is assessed separately.
If you can show that accommodation has been paid in advance for the entire stay, part of the calculation may be adjusted. You must also hold health insurance taken out with an insurer authorised to operate in Spain, with cover similar to the common basic services of the Spanish National Health System. This point should be checked before taking out a policy, as not all insurance policies are suitable for immigration applications.
The application usually includes a valid passport or travel document, proof of admission to the educational institution, proof of enrolment or payment of registration fees, evidence of financial means, health insurance, the relevant fee and, where applicable, a medical certificate and a criminal record certificate. If the stay exceeds six months and the applicant is of the age of criminal responsibility, a criminal record certificate is required from the country of origin or from the countries where they have lived during the last five years.
Foreign documents must be properly prepared: sworn translation into Spanish (Castilian) or a co-official language, and legalisation or apostille as appropriate, unless an exemption applies. This stage often gives rise to avoidable mistakes: expired certificates, incorrect apostilles, non-sworn translations, incomplete admission letters, unsuitable insurance or financial documents that are difficult to interpret.
The application can be initiated from outside Spain at the Spanish embassy or consulate responsible for the applicant's place of residence. Adult students submit the application in person or through a representative; for minors, it is submitted by their parents, guardians or authorised representative. The indicative consular decision period officially stated is one month from the day after submission.
In certain cases, especially for higher education, the procedure can also be initiated from within Spain if the applicant is lawfully present. The application is then filed with the Oficina de Extranjería (immigration office) of the province where the studies will begin, or through the authorised electronic channels, as appropriate. The choice between one route and the other should not be improvised: the current immigration status, the enrolment timetable, the course start date and the institution's position all need to be reviewed.
One of the most frequent mistakes is submitting an incomplete or unclear academic admission. The application must show that there is a genuine, recognised programme of set duration, in an appropriate format and consistent with the student's profile.
Another common mistake is underestimating the financial means requirement. Providing a few loose bank documents is not enough: it is advisable to explain who is financially supporting the student, where the funds come from, whether any family members will accompany them and whether accommodation has been paid for. Problems with health insurance, criminal record certificates, translations and apostilles are also common. In applications involving minors, there may also be specific requirements regarding parental authorisation or representation, which must be reviewed before filing.
We assess whether the study route genuinely fits the client's objective. We analyse the institution, the programme, the academic documents, the immigration status, the financial means, the health insurance and the family documentation. We prepare a documentation strategy tailored to the country of residence, the competent consulate or, if the application is initiated from Spain, the relevant Oficina de Extranjería. Where the application involves family members, minors or financial means provided by third parties, we pay particular attention to the consistency of the file as a whole.