Student Visa
Study in Spain, Fully Supported
Whether you're starting a Master's, a PhD, or a language course, we prepare your case, handle sworn translations and document legalisation, and keep you on top of a process with real deadlines.
Bureaucracy is an independent private service, not affiliated with or acting on behalf of the Spanish Government.
The Facts
Financial Requirement
~€600/month (100% IPREM), roughly €7,200/year — prepaid accommodation can reduce this
Duration
Matches your course length; renewal rules depend on your study type
Key Benefit
Higher-education students can work up to 30 hours/week automatically and bring family; applications are typically decided within 1 month of submission
What's New for 2026
Recent changes to Spanish immigration law (BOE-A-2024-24099) tightened the rules specifically for non-higher-education programs — language courses, professional training below degree level, and similar. If you're planning a Spanish-language course rather than a degree program, a few things changed: you now need to be 18 or older, you must apply from a Spanish consulate outside Spain (switching from a tourist stay inside Spain is no longer allowed), and family members can no longer join you on the same permit. None of this affects higher-education applicants — degree and postgraduate students can still apply from within Spain and bring family. We've built the eligibility check below around this distinction so you know which rules apply to you.
Which Study Track Are You?
| Higher Education (degree, Master's, PhD) | Language Course / Non-Higher Education | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum age | No specific minimum | 18+ |
| Where you apply | Consulate abroad, or from within Spain in many cases | Consulate abroad only — cannot switch from a tourist stay inside Spain |
| Family members | Spouse, registered/stable partner, dependent children or adults may join | Not permitted on your permit — family members must apply separately |
| Work rights | Up to 30 hours/week, automatically, no extra authorization | Only with express prior work authorization from the immigration department |
| Renewal | Annual, generally unlimited while requirements are met | Capped at 1 year + 1 renewal (2 years total); renewal requires passing a Spanish proficiency exam |
| Path after your studies | May transition to a work permit (employer-sponsored), a Digital Nomad Visa, or visas like the Highly-Qualified Worker or Entrepreneur Visa, depending on your situation | Can no longer transition to a work permit; a Digital Nomad Visa may still be possible if you independently meet DNV requirements |
| Counts toward Spanish long-term residency | No — student visa time doesn't count toward Spain's own long-term residency track, regardless of study type | Same as higher education |
| Counts toward Spanish citizenship | No | No |
| Counts toward EU long-term residency | 50% | 50% |
If you're aiming to eventually settle long-term or apply for citizenship, a student visa alone isn't the fastest route — we're happy to talk through what typically comes next once your studies are underway.
The Process
How It Works
From sign-up to submission — every phase managed through your dashboard.
-
01
Getting Started
Create your account, complete onboarding, and we confirm your study track and what it means for your case.
-
02
Document Gathering & Translation
Upload your passport, proof of admission, academic qualifications, and supporting documents. We coordinate notarization, apostille, and sworn translation where your documents require it.
-
03
Review & Submission
A case manager reviews your complete file with you before your appointment. Higher-education applicants may submit from within Spain in many cases; language-course applicants must submit in person at a Spanish consulate abroad — either way, the final submission is yours to make, not ours.
-
04
Decision & What's Next
Applications are typically decided within about a month of submission, though the consulate or immigration office sets the actual timeline, not Bureaucracy. Once you're approved, we help you plan ahead — TIE registration if your stay is over 6 months, and renewal timing well before your permit expires.
Why Bureaucracy Is Different
We combine expert case management with a digital dashboard to keep your relocation clear, structured, and stress-free — as an independent private service working on your behalf, not the government's.
Academic qualifications often need notarization and an apostille before they're even eligible for sworn translation. We coordinate the full chain, included in your flat service fee.
Higher education and language-course rules genuinely differ — on family, work rights, and renewal. We tailor your checklist and file to your actual track, not a generic student-visa template.
A structured, hand-checked physical and digital document set, organised to match what caseworkers typically expect to see.
Every document, message, and milestone lives in one place, so you always know what's done and what's still needed.
Manage Your Entire Visa Journey in One Place
Manage documents, track progress, communicate with your case manager, and stay organised throughout your application process.
-
Application Progress Tracking
See exactly where you are in the process, what's been completed, and what actions may be required next.
-
Secure Document Uploads
Upload and store your application documents securely in one central location.
-
Personalised Task List
Receive a checklist tailored to your visa type and application stage.
-
Direct Communication
Stay connected with your case manager and receive important updates through your dashboard.
-
Everything in One Place
Keep your documents, messages, tasks, and application progress organised in a single platform.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on your track. If you're in higher education, you can work up to 30 hours a week automatically, with no extra authorization needed. If you're on a language course or other non-higher-education program, you'll need to request express work authorization from the immigration department first.
Only if you're in higher education — your spouse, registered or stable partner, and dependent children or adults may join you as part of your application. If you're on a language course, family members can no longer join on your permit; they would need to apply for their own visa separately.
If you're on a language course, yes — you must now apply from a Spanish consulate in your country of residence; switching from a tourist stay inside Spain is no longer allowed. If you're in higher education, you can generally still apply from within Spain.
Your initial visa matches your course length. If your stay exceeds 180 days, it converts to a 365-day visa and you'll need a TIE (apply within 1 month of entering Spain). Higher-education visas generally renew annually with no cap, as long as you continue to meet requirements. Language-course visas are capped at 1 year plus 1 renewal — 2 years total — and renewing requires passing a Spanish proficiency exam.
If you completed higher education, you may be able to move to an employer-sponsored work permit, or a Digital Nomad Visa after waiting 3 months and exiting the Schengen Area (meeting DNV requirements independently), or other routes like the Highly-Qualified Worker or Entrepreneur Visa depending on your situation. If you completed a language course, the work-permit transition is no longer available, though a Digital Nomad Visa may still be possible if you qualify independently.
No, not toward Spain's own long-term residency, and not toward Spanish citizenship, regardless of study type. It counts 50% toward EU long-term residency. If long-term settlement is your goal, we can help you plan what typically comes next once your studies are underway.
You'll receive written notice with the stated reasons. You have 1 month from notification to file an administrative appeal (Recurso de Reposición), or 2 months to file a judicial appeal (Recurso Contencioso-Administrativo) before the High Court of Justice of Madrid, either from the original notification or from the dismissal of an administrative appeal.
Get the 2026 Student Visa Document Checklist
Every document you'll need — for higher education or language courses — formatted and ready to follow.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Our service fee covers case management, document review, and included sworn translations only — any government or consular fees are separate and paid directly by the client to the relevant authority.
Carlos is an AI assistant. For critical decisions, always verify with an official source or speak to an advisor.