Visas, permits, and documents
Type D visa, TIE within 30 days, IPREM, empadronamiento, NIE and post-graduation routes.
Countries · Student guide
Spain: guide to moving and studying
Complete guide for international students in Spain: bureaucracy, housing, budget, health, work and finance.
Updated on 24 May 2026
Cost of living
Medium
Typical spending band for a student
Language
Spanish
Main language to handle day to day
Currency
EUR
Local currency for banking and payments
Entry
EU: no visa
Non-EU: student visa or permit required. EU: local registration only
The 6 guides
Everything about Spain, in 6 guides
One guide for each concrete need, from visas to housing: start with the one you need now.
How to find housing and sign a lease
LAU, fianza, stressed areas, Idealista and utilities for students.
Cost of living and monthly budget
IBAN, Bizum, direct debits, ASNEF and Modelo 720/IRPF.
Healthcare and health insurance
SNS, TSI, no co-pay visa policy and Centro de Salud.
First days: phone, banking, and transport
Transport, city budgets, groceries, phone and energy.
Student work and local employment rules
Study-work compatibility, 2026 SMI, Seguridad Social and IRPF.
Start here
What to do first for Spain
Resolve the decisions that can block your move before comparing cities or reading every detail.
Check entry, visa, and document rules Start with eligibility, deadlines, and official procedures for your situation. Check the lease and upfront housing costs Understand deposits, guarantees, contracts, and student housing before paying. Arrange healthcare before arrival Confirm insurance, enrollment rules, and where to get help once you arrive.
Your checklist
Before departure and after arrival in Spain
Use this as an order of work, then open the linked guide before acting on a legal or financial requirement.
Plan your money
Spain: cost of living, rent, and monthly budget
Start with housing, food, transport, healthcare, and setup costs. Treat estimates as planning ranges and verify local prices before committing.
Cities and neighborhoods
Where to live in Spain: student cities and costs
Neighborhoods, rent, universities, transport and safety: everything you need to choose where to move.
Madrid
- from 430 EURroom/month
- 5universities
Capital of Spain and largest university center in the country (Complutense, Politécnica, Autónoma, Carlos III and several business schools), Madrid combines one of the liveliest cultural and nightlife scenes in Europe with a huge metro (13 lines, over 300 km). Rents are expensive, but the Abono Joven — EUR 20 per month, reduced to EUR 10 until the end of 2026 — is among the cheapest under-26 subscriptions on the continent.
Open city guideBarcelona- from 430 EURroom/month
- 5universities
Capital of Catalonia, on the Mediterranean, Barcelona combines the beach, Gaudí's architecture and a rapidly growing tech and startup scene (22@ Poblenou). Large university center (UB, UPF, UPC, UAB) and home to world-class business schools (IESE, ESADE). The climate and quality of life are a huge attraction, but it is among the most expensive cities in Spain for housing: look for accommodation well in advance and be wary of rental scams.
Open city guideValencia- from 360 EURroom/month
- 5universities
Third city in Spain, on the Mediterranean, Valencia combines beaches, the greenery of the Turia Garden, the City of Arts and Sciences and a lively historic centre. Large university center (Universitat de València and Politècnica, almost 100,000 students) and growing tech/startup scene. It offers a very high quality of life at lower costs than Madrid and Barcelona, even if rents have grown quickly. It is among the safest and most cycle-friendly cities in the country.
Open city guideSiviglia- from 290 EURroom/month
- 5universities
Capital of Andalusia, Seville is a warm, historic and human-scale city: the monumental center (Cathedral, Giralda, Alcázar), the culture of flamenco and tapas and a sunny climate all year round. Large university center (Universidad de Sevilla and Pablo de Olavide) but with a job market more linked to tourism and services. Compared to Madrid and Barcelona it is significantly cheaper: rents, shopping and transport are among the most accessible of the large Spanish cities.
Open city guideLocal context
Spain: what really changes
Use the destination-specific notes to understand trade-offs, common mistakes, and local differences.
Overview
In Spain the cost of living can be friendly, but NIE, empadronamiento and rental market in university cities take time. Much changes between Comunidad: same concepts, practices and different speeds.
What really changes here
Ideal if…
- Erasmus and students looking for climate and social life
- Medium-sized cities (Granada, Valencia, Salamanca) for low budgets
- Those who speak Spanish or learn quickly
- Who accepts slower bureaucracy with appointments
Harder if…
- You are looking for a studio apartment in Madrid/Barcelona center without NIE
- You expect email responses from offices within 24 hours
- Can't tolerate summer heat without AC
- You want only English in all local bureaucracy
Mistakes to avoid
- Renting without NIE — many contracts impossible
- Ignore prior citation for offices
- Sign without understanding Comunidad de Vecinos rules
- Working beyond study permit hours
Verification
Official sources and last update
Legal and administrative details are kept in the relevant guide so they are not copied out of context.
Where to verify the information
Each topic guide links to the competent official authorities. Always check the rule that applies to your citizenship, residence, purpose, and length of stay.
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