STUDENT VISA FOR SPAIN: What Will Change in 2025?

Spain has traditionally been one of the top destinations for students from around the world, thanks to its rich culture, pleasant climate, high-quality education, and affordable cost of living. These factors make it one of the most popular countries for international students.

With the new reform coming into effect, a lot will change. There will be new opportunities for students, while some previous pathways will be closed. Let’s take a closer look at what you need to know in order to make use of the last opportunities before the changes take effect.

If you’re planning to study in Spain, it’s important to understand how these changes will affect you and what steps you need to take to adapt to the new conditions.

Closure of Language Courses: What Does This Mean?

One of the most significant changes coming into force in 2024 is the closure of the option to obtain a long-term visa for language courses.
In the past, many students chose to get a long-term visa for Spanish language courses, allowing them to stay in Spain for a year, study the language, and then continue their journey elsewhere. However, this pathway will no longer be available.

For those still interested in learning the language, the alternative is to study remotely, either from home or abroad. But why would you need a long-term visa for language courses if you can learn remotely?
The government is now prioritizing students who will be attending universities and business schools, rather than those attending language courses.

This decision is aimed at improving the quality of education, enhancing professional integration, and reducing the number of migrants who are in the country without plans for further education or work.

What Does This Mean for You?

If your goal is to come to Spain solely for Spanish language courses, you will now need to look for alternative options. You can only obtain short-term visas for this purpose, or you can opt for remote language courses while staying in your home country.
Transitioning from Language Courses to University Programs: New Opportunities
If your goal is not just to learn the language, but to continue your studies in Spain, transitioning to a university program is an excellent opportunity.

Under the new reform, students who come to Spain for language studies under a student visa will now have the option to continue their studies at a university or another academic program.

What Will Change for Students?

Extension of Stay: Studying at a university or business school will allow you to extend your stay in Spain. Unlike language courses, which have a limited visa duration, enrolling in a university guarantees a longer stay with the possibility of visa extensions in the future.

Work Rights: Students enrolled at universities or business schools automatically gain the right to work up to 30 hours per week in Spain. This is a huge advantage, as language course students often have restrictions on work or need to obtain additional permits from immigration authorities.

Career Opportunities: Studying at a higher education institution not only grants you a European diploma but also increases your chances of finding employment in Spain or other EU countries. Unlike language courses, which often don’t have direct links to the job market, universities and business schools open doors to career growth and professional networks.

Why Is It Now Important to Apply to a University or Business School?

In the past, many students opted for language schools because they seemed more flexible and affordable. However, with the new regulations, universities and business schools have become much more attractive options.
Here’s why:
Residency Status: Studying at a university or business school automatically grants you residency status for the duration of your studies, along with the right to work. Unlike language course students, who need additional permits to work, university students can start earning money and supporting themselves during their studies.

Career Growth: Earning a degree from a Spanish university or business school provides you with an internationally recognized qualification that will open career doors not only in Spain but also in other EU countries. A language school doesn’t provide this kind of status, and finding employment after such courses can be difficult.

Long-Term Benefits: By enrolling in a university or business school, you gain the opportunity to extend your visa and even apply for residency after graduation if you find a job in Spain. This greatly expands your horizons and allows you to stay in the country for further career development.


Work Permits: Key Points
One of the most important questions for international students is whether they can work during their studies. This is especially important for those who want to earn money while studying.

For University and Business School Students: You will be issued a residency card that grants you the right to work. You can work up to 30 hours a week, which is an important advantage for students who want to cover living expenses such as housing, food, and other necessities.

For Language Course Students: The situation is more complicated. Although you can apply for a work permit, the process can take a long time, and often such requests are denied. As a result, studying at a language school no longer offers the same benefits as studying at a university or business school.


Health Insurance: Important Details
One of the requirements for obtaining a student visa for Spain is having medical insurance. Many students try to save money by opting for cheap insurance options, but this could lead to a visa denial.

To avoid issues, keep these points in mind:

• Comprehensive Coverage: The insurance must cover all medical expenses from the first day of your stay in Spain, including possible repatriation. Insurance that doesn't meet these conditions will not be accepted.
• No Co-pays or Waiting Period: The insurance should not require co-pays or have waiting periods (known as "sin carencia" and "sin copago").
• Automatic Renewal: The insurance must be valid for the entire duration of your stay, and many providers offer automatic renewal options, which simplifies the process.

Family Matters: What You Need to Know

Another significant change for international students in Spain is the ability to bring family members. Previously, students could bring their children or spouses under their student visa. However, starting in 2024, family visa conditions are expected to become stricter.

It’s likely that students will no longer be able to bring their relatives immediately upon obtaining their student visa. Instead, separate visas may be required, such as visas for non-profit organizations (NGOs), which could include work rights for family members. These visas will be much harder to obtain and will require more time and resources.


New Requirements for the Schengen Visa

If you plan to apply for a student visa for Spain, you will also need to consider the new requirements for the Schengen visa.

Previously, it was enough to have a Schengen visa valid for 30 days when applying for a student visa. However, starting in 2024, the Schengen visa must be valid for at least 60 days before applying for the student visa. This requirement significantly complicates the process and requires you to plan your application well in advance.


How to Increase Your Chances of a Successful Application?

If you want to improve your chances of having your application approved, here are a few important tips:

• Arrive in Spain Early: This allows you to apply for the visa directly from within Spain, which greatly increases the chances of approval.
• Apply Through Consulates: If you can’t arrive in Spain early, apply through the consulate of your country. However, be prepared for a slightly higher chance of denial.
• Prepare Your Documents Early: The sooner you start the application process, the more likely your visa will be approved.

How to Adapt to the New Visa Conditions?

It’s important to understand that visa conditions can change quickly, and what seems possible today might become difficult or impossible tomorrow. If you plan to apply for a visa, don’t delay—start gathering documents now, especially if you need to go through the Schengen process.


Learn Spanish

Language preparation is key to unlocking new opportunities. If you want to work or study in Spain, knowing the language will not only help in everyday life but also significantly improve your chances of getting a work or study visa. It is especially important to learn Spanish if you want to integrate into the local community and build a career in Spain.

Why Should You Learn Spanish and How It Will Open New Doors?

If you’re planning to study abroad, I recommend choosing a path that will greatly improve your career and broaden your horizons. This is why I have decided to learn Spanish over the next year and then apply to a university in Spain, where classes will be taught in Spanish.

Many people say, “I know English, I’ll go learn that, and then apply to a business school.” However, what do those who have already graduated from business schools say? The answer is often the same: "I don’t speak Spanish, I can’t communicate with the locals, and they don’t speak English. I can’t find a job because everyone wants me to speak both English and Spanish."

What Are the Advantages of Knowing Spanish?
Here’s the advantage: If you already speak English, spend a year learning Spanish. After that, you’ll be able to study in Spanish and complete your education in Europe. This will open up a world of opportunities:

• You’ll speak three languages: your native language, English, and Spanish.
• You’ll receive an education that is highly valued in Europe.
• Most importantly, you’ll be able to work and live in any EU country, including Spain, where there is a high demand for professionals who speak both languages.

Imagine having a degree, three languages, and work experience in Europe! This is a valuable asset for your career.

Important Information for Those Who Want to Learn Spanish

If you’re planning to study in Spain, don’t put it off!
You have until May 20 to apply for a Schengen visa.
You can already sign up for courses that will begin next year. And don’t worry—courses start every month, so you can begin your studies at any time, not necessarily in September or January.

Also, if you’re studying, you won’t need to take entrance exams. Education is available for people of all ages. People are studying at 40, 50, even 60 years old—so you have an excellent opportunity to start right now!


Student Visa – Your Path to a New Life

It’s worth noting that the student visa is like a "small window of opportunity." Although the student visa is not the easiest "door," it still opens the way to important steps in your career and life in Europe.
However, for those looking for more, there are visas for investors and startups—these are the "beautiful doors" with the right to work and residency for three years.

Spain is currently quite friendly to such visas, and the process is much easier compared to other countries.

Service Tariffs
We offer several tariffs that can assist you with your documents and adaptation:

• Basic Tariff — Includes document processing only.
• Basic Plus — In addition to document processing, we’ll help you find rental property.
• Premium Tariff — Includes all services, from documents to full support.

Conclusion
The new rules coming into effect for students next year open up many new opportunities. In the next video, I’ll talk about other types of visas—such as for entrepreneurs, investors, and workers—and all the important changes that will affect Spain’s immigration policy.

Don’t forget to follow me on Telegram and Instagram to stay up to date with all the news and updates.
And if you want to make your dream of living and studying in Spain a reality, contact Dreamlife—we’ll be happy to assist you every step of the way!