Long-Stay Student Authorisation in Spain

Legal stay in Spain for studies, volunteering and training

Spain offers a specific long-stay authorisation for non-EU nationals whose main activity in Spain is higher education, secondary education, student mobility, recognised volunteering or formal training. This authorisation allows you to stay legally in Spain for more than 90 days under a fully regulated academic and immigration framework.

Legally, this is considered a stay rather than a residence permit, but it can later be used as a basis for modification to a residence and work permit under Article 190 of the Immigration Regulation.

At NomadTaxSpain, we support students, universities and families in preparing solid applications — whether you apply from abroad, from within Spain or as a change of status after entering on another visa.

What is the Long-Stay Student Authorisation?

This authorisation allows non-EU nationals to remain in Spain for the purpose of:

• Higher education studies.
• Post-compulsory secondary education.
• European or international student mobility programmes.
• Recognised volunteering programmes.
• Official training activities.

It is granted for programmes lasting more than 90 days and may be renewed for subsequent academic years. For multi-year higher education cycles, the authorisation can sometimes cover the entire programme if the institution certifies it.

The authorisation also allows the student to carry out paid work under specific conditions (up to 30 hours per week) as long as work remains compatible with full-time study.

Legal basis of the student authorisation

This authorisation is mainly governed by:

• Organic Law 4/2000, Articles 33–34.
• Royal Decree 1155/2024, Title III and subsequent provisions.
• Directive (EU) 2016/801 on students and researchers.
• Law 14/2013, particularly regarding the post-study job-search or entrepreneurship authorisation.

These rules set out entry conditions, documentation, work limits, renewals and the possibility of switching to other residence permits after completing your studies.

Official forms & fees

Application forms

• EX-00 — main application for the long-stay student authorisation, used at the consulate or the Immigration Office.
• EX-17 — for the TIE (Foreigner Identity Card) once your authorisation has been granted and you are in Spain.

Fees

• Modelo 790 – Code 052 — stay authorisation fee.
• Modelo 790 – Code 012 — TIE issuance fee.
• Consular visa fee, which varies depending on your nationality and local consulate policy.

Who can apply?

This permit is designed for:

• Students enrolling in official full-time academic programmes in Spain.
• Participants in recognised international mobility schemes.
• Students admitted to official language schools when the programme is integrated into a higher-education institution and is full-time.
• Volunteers participating in recognised organisations.
• Trainees in accredited training programmes that meet official criteria.

Applications may be submitted:

• At the Spanish consulate in your country of residence; or
• From within Spain if you are already legally present, for example on a Schengen stay or another valid status.

Important restrictions apply to purely private language schools and non-official courses, especially since May 2025, when language-school applications became admissible only if integrated into recognised higher-education institutions.

Required documentation

All documents must be translated and legalised where required. Typical documentation includes:

1. Identity documentation

• Valid passport with at least one year validity.

2. Admission and academic proof

• Acceptance letter or enrolment certificate from a recognised Spanish institution.
• Confirmation that the programme is full-time, usually at least 90% of a normal credit load.

3. Financial means

You must demonstrate sufficient resources to cover your living costs and, where appropriate, those of accompanying family members. As a general guide:

• 100% IPREM per month for the student (around €600/month).
• 75% IPREM for the first family member.
• 50% IPREM for each additional family member.

This is equivalent to approximately €7,200 per year for a single student, usually evidenced by bank statements, scholarships or financial guarantees.

4. Health insurance

• Private health insurance with coverage equivalent to the Spanish public system, valid for the entire stay.
• For stays longer than six months, a medical certificate may also be required.

5. Background checks

• Criminal record certificate for adults, generally required for stays longer than six months.

6. Specific documents for minors or mobility programmes

• Parental or guardian authorisation, including details of the stay and accommodation.
• Documentation specific to the mobility or volunteering programme (for example, agreements between institutions).

Key requirements for approval

To be approved, the applicant must demonstrate clearly that they meet the core conditions:

• Enrolment in a recognised official institution.
• A genuinely full-time course or programme.
• Adequate and verifiable economic means.
• Health insurance covering the full period of stay in Spain.
• A clean criminal record where required by law.
• Legalised and sworn-translated foreign documentation when applicable.
• Intention to return to the country of origin at the end of studies, unless moving on to another legal status.

Where and how to apply

1. At the Spanish Consulate (standard route)

   Most applicants must apply from their country of residence, typically at least two months before the course start date. The consulate reviews documentation and forwards the application to the competent Immigration Office in Spain.

2. From within Spain (change of status)

   In some cases, the application can be filed directly with the Immigration Office if the applicant is already legally in Spain (for example on a Schengen visa or another valid stay). The course must be official and full-time, and the timing must respect the legal deadlines for changes of status.

Resolution and processing times

Once the consulate sends the file to Spain, the Immigration Office generally has 7 days to issue its decision on the authorisation.

After authorisation is granted, the consulate typically has one month to issue the visa. Processing times can vary depending on the time of year, consulate workload and the completeness of the documentation.

For the post-study job-search authorisation (for graduates who wish to remain in Spain to look for work or start a business), the Immigration Office normally has 20 days to decide, with positive silence if no decision is issued in time.

Duration and renewal of the student authorisation

The authorisation is generally granted for the duration of the academic year or programme. It can be renewed annually if:

• Academic performance is satisfactory.
• Continuity of studies or training in Spain is clearly justified.
• Financial means and health insurance are maintained and duly evidenced.

For multi-year higher-education programmes, the authorisation may be granted for the full length of the cycle when the institution certifies this clearly.

Work during studies

Long-stay student authorisations allow you to work in Spain under specific conditions:

• Up to 30 hours per week of paid work.
• Work must be compatible with full-time study and not undermine your academic progress.
• In some cases, no separate work permit is needed, as long as the job meets the legal criteria.

Family members may accompany the student under certain conditions, but generally cannot work during the student stay and need their own route to access the labour market.

Practical notes and common issues

• Insufficient funds and non-recognised institutions are among the most frequent causes of refusal.
• Short, recreational or purely leisure courses usually do not qualify for this authorisation.
• Foreign documents must be valid, consistent, legalised and properly translated; otherwise, authorities will request corrections.
• Some of the time spent under student status counts only at 50% towards certain long-term residence calculations (for example, EU long-term residence).
• The distinction between stay and residence is important for future nationality and work-permit planning. Early strategy can avoid surprises later.

Why choose NomadTaxSpain for your student stay in Spain?

We assist students and families from the very first planning stage, helping them understand the legal framework, choose the right institution and file a complete, consistent application.

Our support typically includes:

• Full review of eligibility and assessment of the chosen programme.
• Verification that the institution and course meet official requirements.
• Preparation and review of all required documents, including financial evidence and insurance.
• Coordination of legalisation and sworn translation of foreign documents.
• Consular or in-Spain filing, plus monitoring of the application.
• Post-approval processes: TIE, padrón, Social Security registration (when working).
• Advice and support for later modifications to work permits or post-study job-search authorisations.

Start your Long-Stay Student Authorisation in Spain

If you are planning to study, volunteer or train in Spain for more than 90 days, our team can prepare a personalised roadmap and handle the key steps of the process for you and your family.

We will help you minimise the risk of refusals, anticipate documentation needs and understand how your student stay fits into your medium and long-term immigration strategy in Spain.