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Studying in Spain

Tuition, living costs, visas and how to apply, from the European Commission's official profile — with student numbers from Eurostat and the Erasmus Mundus master's you can take here.

🇪🇸 Browse Spain’s universities on CollegeMatcher — or find your matches

At a glance

Tuition · EU/EEA students

Not stated separately

Tuition · non-EU/EEA students

Not stated separately

Fees — more detail

Public universities: bachelor's €700 – €1,700 a year, master's €1,000 – €3,500, set by the regional governments. Private universities up to €20,000.

Living costs

€1,000 – €1,200 a month in Madrid and Barcelona; €700 – €900 in smaller cities

Erasmus Mundus master's

101 joint programmes with a university here

Students in Spain

Tertiary students · 2024

2,444,285

From abroad · 2024

113,6504.6% of all students

Of whom from the EU · 2024

31,25527.5% of students from abroad

Largest countries of origin: France (12,478), Colombia (11,789), Ecuador (7,153), Italy (6,535), Peru (6,532).

“From abroad” means degree-mobile students — enrolled for a whole degree, having gained their previous qualification in another country. Exchange students on Erasmus aren't counted.

Tertiary students by year
201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
1,969,4131,982,1621,963,9241,968,7022,010,1832,051,8262,083,9792,145,3332,261,0632,309,2722,371,8542,444,285

Tuition and living costs

Tuition fees at public universities are set by regional governments and remain relatively affordable. Bachelor’s degrees usually cost between €700 and €1,700 per academic year, while Master’s programmes range from €1,000 to €3,500.

Private universities charge higher tuition, sometimes up to €20,000 annually.

Living costs vary by city, with Madrid and Barcelona being the most expensive at around €1,000–€1,200 per month, while smaller cities may be closer to €700–€900.

Visas

Students from the EU/EEA do not need a visa to study in Spain, though they must register locally if staying longer than three months.

If you’re coming from outside the EU/EEA, you’ll need to apply for a student visa at a Spanish consulate before arriving. You’ll have to show university admission, proof of financial means, health insurance, and a valid passport. After arrival, a residence permit may also be required.

Education System

Spain follows the Bologna Process which means that degrees from Spain are recognised across Europe and beyond.

Higher education is structured into three cycles: Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral studies.

Public and private universities coexist, alongside specialised schools in fields such as business, engineering, and the arts.

Many programmes are offered in English, especially at postgraduate level, while Spanish remains the main teaching language.

Application procedures

You will usually apply directly to the university, or in some regions through centralised systems. Requirements differ depending on the programme, but typically include academic transcripts, proof of language proficiency, and identification.

Application deadlines depend on the institution, though most are set during spring for programmes beginning in autumn.

Scholarships

International students in Spain can benefit from European schemes like Erasmus+, as well as national and regional scholarships. Universities also offer their own funding opportunities, which can be merit-based or need-based.

SEPIE (Spanish Service for the Internationalisation of Education) provides useful information about scholarships available to international students.

Student life

Spanish student life is enriched by the country’s cultural diversity, festivals, and outdoor lifestyle. From Mediterranean beaches to mountain ranges, Spain offers leisure opportunities for every taste.

Cities combine historic architecture with modern facilities, while affordable public transport and student discounts make daily life easier. Although many courses are in English, learning Spanish can help students integrate fully and make the most of their experience.

Frequently asked questions

Can I study in English in Spain?

Yes, especially at Master’s and Doctoral level, many programmes are taught fully in English.

Do I need Spanish to live in Spain?

Not always for your programme, but it is highly recommended for everyday life and social integration.

Can I work while studying in Spain?

Yes, international students can work while they study in Spain. If you’re from the EU/EEA, you have the same labour rights as Spanish nationals and may work without a special permit. For non-EU/EEA students, you can usually work part-time (up to 30 hours per week) alongside your studies.

When does the academic year start?

Most universities begin in September or October and finish in June, with breaks in winter and spring.

Source: Study in Spain – education system, tuition fees, scholarships and student life, last updated 24 March 2026.

Erasmus Mundus master's with a university in Spain

Joint master's taught by several universities in different countries, open to students from anywhere, with EU-funded scholarships on many of them.

Country guidance adapted from the European Commission’s Study in Europe country profiles, © European Union, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Condensed, restructured and combined with other data by CollegeMatcher.

Student numbers: Eurostat, tables educ_uoe_enrt01 (tertiary enrolment) and educ_uoe_mobs02 (degree-mobile students from abroad).

Programmes: the Erasmus Mundus Catalogue of the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA); partner institutions from the Erasmus+ Project Results Platform. © European Union, CC BY 4.0.

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