Studying in Spain as an international student: costs, visa and work rules (2026)
In Spain, tuition at a public university is €820 to €10k for a master’s and €760 to €8.2k for a bachelor’s. For the student visa you must show €600 / mo, you can work 30 h / wk while studying, and you can stay 24 months after graduating.
✓ Last checked against official sources: 14 Oct 2026. Every figure links to the government body or university that sets it. No school pays to appear here.
Costs
| Item | Master’s (1 year) | Bachelor’s (4 years) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition, public university | €820 to €10kEst., set by region: lowest in Andalusia, €5k to €10k for non-EU students in Madrid, 2026–27 | €760 to €8.2kEst., set by region: about €760 in Andalusia, €6.8k to €8.2k for non-EU students in Madrid, 2026–27 |
| Tuition, private or top-ranked | €10k+Private universities, est. | €10k+Private universities, est. |
| Money to show for the visa | €600 / mo100% of IPREM, €7,200 a year | |
| Visa and permit fees | About €100, once (estimate) | |
| Total* | ≈ €14,100 | ≈ €56,100 |
*Diplonaut estimate at a public university: the lower tuition figure + the money you must show for the visa (a floor for living costs, not a budget), for the whole degree, plus visa fees once. Tuition ranges are estimates: each university publishes its own fees. Spanish tuition ranges are estimates; regions and universities set prices. Health insurance (required) is not in the total.
Visa and entry
| Your passport | What you need |
|---|---|
| EU, EEA or Swiss | No visa |
| United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, South Koreaand some other passports | Visa at a consulate, or apply in Spain while legally there: the study authorisation covers the whole programme |
| Most other countries | Student visa before travel: the study authorisation covers the whole programme |
Work rights
- While studying: 30 h / wk (Automatic, within one region).
- After graduating: 24 months (Job-search permit (no work on it), or switch with a job).
Will my degree from Spain be recognized?
Only official degrees listed in the RUCT register are recognized Spanish degrees. Many universities also sell their own-brand ‘títulos propios’ (often called master’s): they can qualify for a study authorisation but are not official degrees.
Check an institution: Ministry of Science and Universities: RUCT register
For a bachelor’s: A Spanish grado (bachelor’s) lasts four years (240 ECTS), and most are taught in Spanish.
By field of study
- No field-specific rules found for Spain. Some careers (medicine, nursing, teaching, law) are licensed: check the licensing body where you want to work.
Recent official changes for Spain
- No rule change for Spain has been tracked in the last months. See all changes by country.
Compare Spain
See Spain next to the other destinations, adjusted to your passport, degree level and field.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to study in Spain?
Tuition at a public university is €820 to €10k a year for a master’s and €760 to €8.2k for a bachelor’s. With the money you must show for the visa, a 1-year master’s comes to about €14,100 in total (Diplonaut estimate).
How much money do I need to show for a student visa in Spain?
€600 / mo (100% of IPREM, €7,200 a year).
Can I work while studying in Spain?
Yes: 30 h / wk (Automatic, within one region).
Can I stay in Spain after graduating?
24 months (Job-search permit (no work on it), or switch with a job).
Other destinations
Official sources
- Ministry of Inclusion: long-stay study authorisation (RD 1155/2024)
- Ministry of Inclusion: work rights for students (fact sheet 4 bis)
- Ministry of Inclusion: job-search residence after studies (fact sheet 20)
- Complutense University of Madrid: 2026–27 master’s prices
- University of Barcelona: 2026–27 prices
- Comunidad de Madrid public prices (UCM grado fees 2026–27)
- Ministry of Science and Universities: RUCT register
Information, not legal or immigration advice.