Spain’s Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration has published a new document titled “Criterios de gestión sobre autorizaciones de estancia por estudios, movilidad de alumnos, servicios de voluntariado y actividades formativas”, introducing significant improvements and clarifications to how the Spain Student Visa and study stays are processed. The full text is available here: Criterios de gestión de estudiantes (PDF).
This long-awaited guidance provides clear, practical instructions for consulates and immigration offices throughout Spain, aiming to ensure consistency and fairness for international students. It addresses common issues that applicants face, including deadlines, age limits, financial means, renewals, and academic requirements.
Application Deadlines
Under normal circumstances, student visa or study stay applications must be submitted at least two months before the start of the studies or program. However, the new note recognizes that many students—particularly those enrolling in vocational or language programs—may not receive confirmation of admission or be able to pay fees that early.
Therefore, exceptions are now allowed if the applicant provides a justified explanation, such as late admission dates or delayed documentation. Immigration offices are instructed to assess these cases with flexibility, provided the applicant submits proof supporting their situation.
Minimum Age Requirements
The minimum age for applying varies by the type of studies:
- Higher education (university or master’s programs): 18 years old.
- Applicants aged 17: may apply if they have already been admitted to a higher education program starting within the same year.
- Secondary education and exchange programs: minors may apply when participating in officially recognized mobility programs, provided the institution or host organization assumes responsibility for their stay.
- Students with certified high intellectual ability: may also apply earlier if recognized by educational authorities.
In all cases involving minors, proper documentation and parental authorization are required.
Duration of Studies and Authorization
The minimum duration of a qualifying program is 91 days. While authorizations are generally issued for one year, the new rules allow multi-year authorizations when the official duration of the studies exceeds one year—such as a two-year master’s degree—if the applicant requests it and provides full documentation, including health insurance and sufficient funds for the entire period.
Definition of Full-Time Studies
To qualify for or maintain a student stay authorization, studies must be full-time. This means:
- For university programs, enrollment in at least 90% of annual credits (approximately 20 hours per week).
- For intensive or short programs, at least 12 in-person hours per week.
- For language courses, evaluation is case-specific but must demonstrate a serious academic structure.
Proof of Enrollment
Applicants are no longer required to pay the full cost of tuition before applying. It is sufficient to show:
- Official admission by an accredited institution, and
- Proof of partial or full payment of registration or tuition fees.
However, the program must be officially recognized by Spanish educational authorities.
Financial Means and Housing Exception
Traditionally, applicants must demonstrate sufficient funds to cover living and housing expenses—approximately €7,200 per year or the proportional amount for shorter stays.
The new guidance introduces a key improvement: applicants may be partially or fully exempted from this requirement if they can prove that housing is already secured. This applies if accommodation is paid in advance or provided for free by a close relative (up to the second degree), such as a grandparent or uncle.
In these cases, applicants must provide:
- Proof of the family relationship,
- Evidence of ownership or rental rights to the property, and
- A notarized statement confirming the housing arrangement.
Renewals and Extensions
The new rules also standardize procedures for renewing or changing the type of authorization:
- Renewals can be requested within 60 days before or 90 days after the current authorization expires.
- New applications (for a different study program) must be filed before the current authorization expires.
- The guidance also clarifies how many times a study stay can be extended and under what conditions it may be modified into a residence or work authorization.
Other Clarifications
The document further explains how to handle:
- Scholarship or grant-funded students, ensuring consistency when assessing eligibility for other residence types later.
- Private or “propio” master’s programs, outlining how to confirm whether a private institution’s courses qualify under Spanish immigration rules.
- Maintenance of requirements, including ongoing proof of economic means and health insurance during the entire stay.
Conclusion
Spain’s new Criterios de gestión de estudiantes mark a major step forward in transparency and efficiency for international students. These updates not only simplify the application process but also make Spain a more accessible and attractive destination for higher education and cultural exchange.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Spain’s New Student Visa and Study Stay Rules in 2025
1. What is the new document published by the Spanish government?
The Spanish Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration has released an official guidance note titled “Criterios de gestión sobre autorizaciones de estancia por estudios, movilidad de alumnos, servicios de voluntariado y actividades formativas.” It standardizes how immigration offices and consulates handle student visa and study stay applications across Spain.
2. When should I submit my student visa application?
In general, you must apply at least two months before your studies begin. However, the new criteria allow exceptions if you can justify the delay—for example, if your admission or enrollment confirmation came late.
3. What is the minimum age to apply for a student visa in Spain?
For most university and higher education programs, the minimum age is 18 years old. However:
- Applicants aged 17 may apply if already admitted to a higher education program starting the same year.
- Minors can apply for secondary school or exchange programs, provided an institution or host organization takes responsibility for their stay.
4. How long must my program last to qualify for a student stay?
Your course or program must last at least 91 days.
5. Can I get a student permit valid for more than one year?
Yes. For multi-year programs such as a two-year master’s degree or a full university course, you may request a single authorization covering the entire duration of your studies, provided you show health insurance and sufficient funds for the full period.
6. What does “full-time studies” mean under the new rules?
You must be enrolled in at least 90% of the annual credits (around 20 hours per week) for university studies.
For intensive short courses, you must attend a minimum of 12 in-person hours per week.
Language courses will be reviewed case by case.
7. Do I need to pay all my tuition before applying?
No. You only need to prove:
- Official admission to an accredited institution, and
- Partial or full payment of registration or enrollment fees.
8. How much money do I need to show for living expenses?
Typically, you must demonstrate financial means equivalent to about €7,200 per year (or a proportional amount for shorter stays).
9. Can I be exempted from showing full financial means?
Yes. If you can prove your accommodation is already secured, you may be partially or fully exempted from the financial proof requirement. This applies if:
- The accommodation is paid in advance, or
- It is provided for free by a close relative (up to the second degree), such as a grandparent or uncle.
In such cases, you must submit:
- Proof of family relationship,
- Ownership or rental documentation, and
- A notarized statement confirming the housing arrangement.
10. When and how can I renew my student stay?
You can renew your authorization within 60 days before or 90 days after its expiry. If you are starting a new study program, you must apply before your current stay expires.
11. Can I change from a study stay to a residence or work permit later?
Yes, under certain conditions. The guidance clarifies the process to modify your student stay to a residence and work permit, a non-lucrative residence, or a residence for job search purposes—provided you meet the criteria and were not funded by scholarships that restrict this change.
12. Where can I read the full official document?
You can access the full Spanish version of the official note here:
Download the Criterios de gestión de estudiantes PDF
