The Most Detailed Guide to Getting a Student Visa in Spain for Language School Studies

If you truly want to learn Spanish, experience the local culture, and gain tons of impressions and practice — but don’t want to commit to long-term obligations — your best choice is a student visa.

‍How do you choose a language school, pass the interview, and collect the necessary documents?

Most schools teach the literary Castilian dialect — the European version of Spanish as commonly understood. However, Spain is also home to other languages: Catalan, Basque, and Galician. Many autonomous regions have their own dialects as well. You can’t really compare it to other countries — for instance, if you meet someone from Andalusia (a region in southern Spain), they’ll likely understand you perfectly, but you might not understand them due to their distinct pronunciation. That said, the grammar and vocabulary base across Spanish dialects is mostly the same. So, if you’re starting out (A0–B1 level), you can confidently choose a school in any region of Spain.

Choosing an Agency and a School

You can either find a school on your own via the internet or go through an agency. Here are some advantages of using an agency:

1. All offers are already sorted and clearly presented. No need to browse Spanish websites, translate them, and figure out which schools are accredited.
2. Easy comparison of prices, programs, and locations.
3. You can choose dates and prices that work for you — hassle-free.
4. The agency will contact the school and book a spot on your behalf.
5. Agencies can also prepare your documents for the visa application and may even submit your student residence permit (TIE) request in Spain using their electronic signature. No need to go to the immigration office yourself.

What to Look for When Choosing a School

1. Accreditation from the Cervantes Institute – If the school is not accredited, you cannot apply for a student visa through it. The Cervantes Institute regulates Spanish language teaching for foreigners, and accredited schools use the most advanced methods.
2. Negative reviews – Even if a school has a 4.5 rating, if there are too many complaints, you could end up disappointed and lose your money.
3. Location – Choose based on what matters to you: close or far from the city center, proximity to the metro, historic district, modern infrastructure, etc.
4. Cultural activities – You’ll study about 5 hours a day, so check if the school offers extracurricular cultural programs. The more events, the better!
5. Housing options provided by the school – You can always rent a room yourself, but having school-arranged housing is easier, especially since landlords are often reluctant to rent to foreigners without residency.

Of course, consider the price. The cheapest doesn’t mean “worst quality,” and vice versa. For example, the average price for a 32-week Spanish course in Valencia in early 2024 is about €3,800.

Once You’ve Chosen – Pay the Fee

Schools usually require full upfront payment (via cash, card, or bank transfer) since it’s part of the visa or TIE application process. If your visa is denied, the entire amount (minus a €150 service fee) is refundable.

Enrollment Process

After applying, the school will contact you. If you already have basic Spanish knowledge, they may ask you to take a grammar test or submit a short video presentation or text in Spanish to better assess your level. Then, they’ll confirm your level and send you a class schedule and program details. Courses in Spain follow the CEFR (MCER in Spanish) system, from A1 to C1, where A1 is beginner. After each level, you can take the DELE exam and receive an official certificate recognized by Spanish government institutions. For example:

1. Spanish citizenship requires level A2
2. University admission requires level B2

How to Get a Student Visa for Spain in 2024

To enter Spain, there are two main types of visas: Type C and Type D.

• Visa C is a standard Schengen visa for stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period. You can apply at the BLS Visa Center. The document list is available on their website.
• Visa D is a national visa that allows you to stay for more than 90 days. To apply for this visa, in addition to proof of course payment, you’ll need:

1. A medical certificate in format 082 or 086
2. Police clearance certificates from all countries you’ve lived in over the past 5 years
3. A bank statement showing at least €8,000
4. Payment of the visa fee

The medical and police certificates must be translated by a sworn translator in Spain or have consular legalization. You can apply for a student residence permit (TIE) with either of the two visa types. The difference is:

1. If your course is less than 6 months, it’s better to get a standard Visa D through the visa center.
2. If your course is 7 months or more, you’ll need to request a residence permit directly in Spain.

To do this on a Visa C, you must apply with at least 30 days remaining on your visa or Schengen period. If you’re applying with Visa D, you must submit the same documents to the Spanish immigration office as you did for the original visa. Once approved, you’ll be fingerprinted at the police station to get your residence card (TIE).

Housing Options

Students typically consider three options: renting an apartment, renting a room from locals, or staying in school-provided accommodation.

Renting a Private Apartment

Good for those who want privacy. Pros: your own bathroom, kitchen, etc. Cons: cost — a studio apartment can range from €400 (Seville) to €1,100 (Barcelona) depending on the city and area. Also, it’s harder to immerse yourself in local life.

Renting a Room from Locals

An excellent and affordable option. Pros: low price (€200–€400/month), and a great way to experience everyday Spanish life. Cons: you’ll share a fridge and other amenities with housemates.

School-Provided Housing

Usually includes:

1. A private room with a shared bathroom — ~€140/week
2. A room with a private bathroom — ~€190/week

If you want to extend your stay and the room isn’t booked, you can stay a few extra days for about €45/day. Pros: easy booking and move-in process. Cons: the price. But keep in mind — you’ll only be home to sleep, since your schedule will be packed!

Classes at School

The schedule depends on the specific school, but typically, lecture-based courses with a load of 20 hours per week take place every weekday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a break of 45 minutes to an hour. That means 4 hours of Spanish every weekday. In the afternoon, modular or special courses are usually offered: DELE preparation, Spanish for business, cultural courses, conversation clubs, film clubs, and more. At first, it might feel challenging because the communicative method used in teaching doesn’t involve explaining grammar rules in other languages. Everything is explained in Spanish from the very beginning, so be prepared for full immersion in the language.

Lessons

Most often, lessons begin with conversations on everyday topics. Students are given a theme to discuss—how education works in their home country, what makes a good teacher, stressful school situations, why they are learning Spanish, what their job is, etc. Speaking is allowed only in Spanish. New words are also explained in Spanish—or with gestures. Grammar is explained the same way—"in the flow of conversation." You won’t find repetitive exercises, rote memorization, or hours of written translation like in some traditional systems. Theoretical material is presented briefly, followed by more practice: pair dialogues, games, listening activities, video tasks… There’s usually no formal homework, though sometimes you may be asked to write a short text for the next lesson. Grades aren’t typically given, but teachers record students’ progress at the end of each learning cycle. Attendance is tracked. If a student misses more than 20% of the course, they won’t receive the completion certificate—essential for renewing a student residence permit.

School-Organized Activities

These can be either free (included in the course fee) or paid. The schedule is usually posted on the schools’ websites. You should sign up in advance, as spots may be limited. Schools often organize sightseeing walks or excursions. At first, it can be hard to understand everything in Spanish, as locals speak fast and excursions may include specialized vocabulary not commonly used in everyday speech. That’s why we recommend reading about the topic in your native language beforehand to have a general understanding of the content. Schools also frequently host Friday parties or dance nights. These events help students practice speaking in a more informal and relaxed environment.

Summary

If you meet all the performance and attendance requirements, about two weeks after finishing your course, the language school will send you a certificate confirming the level(s) you completed. From there, you can either continue your studies or take the DELE exam to officially certify your current level, since the DELE diploma is issued by the Spanish Ministry of Education and Vocational Training. Unlike the regular school certificate, it is recognized internationally and has no expiration date. But the most important thing you'll gain from this trip is overcoming the language barrier. You’ll be able to confidently talk about everyday topics—even with native speakers, make local friends, and refine your Spanish pronunciation.