Visa Guide
Study at a Spanish university or language school
What you need to earn
€600/month (100% of the monthly IPREM) OR a full scholarship. This is the legal floor; consulates routinely expect more.
How long it takes
- Processing Applications filed from within Spain must be resolved in 2 months; extensions in 1 month. Consular timelines are not published (estimate)
- Initial duration Equal to the full duration of the studies (from 1 month before to 15 days after)
- Renewals Up to two extensions, each capped at 1 year
- Total possible Duration of studies plus up to two extensions
What it gets you
- Higher-education students can work up to 30 hrs/week with no separate work permit
- Straightforward to obtain relative to work-based routes
- Can transition to a work authorisation after graduation
- Extendable while you remain enrolled
- Great way to explore/learn Spanish
The parts people miss
- The 30 hrs/week work right applies to higher education only, standalone language-school stays do not carry it
- Language school visas are scrutinised more heavily than university enrolments
- Must maintain enrollment throughout stay
- Online-only courses NOT valid
- Must attend classes (can't just enroll and not show up)
Whether you can work
Up to 30 hours/week, employed or self-employed, with no separate work authorisation, higher-education students only (RD 1155/2024, in force 20 May 2025). Standalone language schools do not carry these work rights.
Figures current for 2026. Spanish income thresholds move each February with the minimum wage.
