If you are a citizen of a European Union (EU) member state or Liechtenstein, Iceland, Norway and Switzerland, you are entitled to free movement and residence in Spain for up to 3 months. All EU citizens residing in Spain for a period exceeding 3 months must apply for registration in the Central Registry of Foreigners.

Please check the section “Upon arrival”: Certificate of registration of European Union citizens.

If you are not an EU citizen, and you do not have a residence permit, valid for your entire stay in Spain, from another EU country, you will need to apply for a study Visa. The application is submitted personally at the Spanish Embassy close to your home, or in the EU country where you reside.

Visas can only be requested in the country of which the person is a national of or in the country in which the person has legal residence.

The documents required by the Embassy are usually the following ones:

• Admission or enrollment letter issued by your School or Faculty.
• Valid passport (valid during your entire stay in Spain).
• Proof of having the financial means to cover the expenses of your stay and return to your country and your relatives, if applicable.
• Public or private health insurance arranged with an insurance entity authorized to operate in Spain.
• Color photographs with a white background, passport size (32x26 millimeters).
• Payment of fees.

In addition, if the course lasts more than 6 months, you must submit:

• Medical certificate.
• Criminal records.

Important:

• The study Visa issued must be type D. If you obtain another type of Visa, you will not be entitled to the issuance of the foreign identification card (TIE) (only for long duration visas, more than 180 days stays). You would be able to request this card when you arrive in Spain, only when having a type of Visa D 90 days.

Certificate of registration of European Union citizens

All European citizens who are going to stay in Spain for more than three months should register at the Police Station.

Procedure in Bilbao.

Procedure in San Sebastián.

*Important: Upon arrival you must obtain an Entry stamp at the airport, at the crossing border. If you do not obtain it, you will need to request it (Entry stam or Entry Declaration) at the Police station of the Airport.

• ENTRY INTO SPANISH TERRITORY WITH VISA
  Short stay Visa holder - D 180 days
  The Visa is your valid migratory statement and you do not need to apply for any other procedure while studying in Spain.
  Long saty Visa holder - D 90 days
  When your stay is longer than 6 months, you must apply for the Foreigner Identity Card (TIE) at the Police Station of the National Police within 1 month of your arrival in the country, in the city where you will be studying (Bilbao / San Sebastian).
  It is necessary to request an appointment through the appointment system. If your stay in Spain is in Bilbao Campus, please choose BIZKAIA in the “provincias” foldable or GIPUZKOA, if San Sebastián Campus. Option: POLICÍA - TOMA DE HUELLAS
  Procedure in Bilbao.
  Procedure in San Sebastian.
   
• ENTRY INTO SPANISH TERRITORY WITH RESIDENCE FROM OTHER EU CONTRY
  Mobility within the European Union (Communication of displacement)
  Students who hold a valid authorization issued by another Member State and who participate in a Union or multilateral program that includes mobility measures or who are covered by an agreement between two or more higher education institutions, will have the right to enter and stay in Spain, for a period of up to 360 days, in order to carry out part of their studies in a Spanish higher education institution, after notifying the Government Delegation or Sub-delegation in the province in which the activity is to begin, in accordance with Directive (EU) 2016/801.
  Procedure.

If your short-stay visa or your residence card issued by another EU country is about to expire during your stay in Spain, you can request an Authorization to stay for studies at the Foreign Office, as long as you can prove that your stay for studies will be extended beyond three months, since the document expires.

Procedure in Bilbao.

Procedure in San Sebastian.

The student residence permit may be renewed annually when the applicant provides proof that he/she still satisfies the requirements that initially entitled him/her to obtain a student visa and has achieved satisfactory academic results during the course preceding the one for which the renewal is being applied for.

Procedure in Bilbao.

Procedure in San Sebastian.

If you have to leave Spain and your card is in the process of being renewed, you must apply for a permit that allows you to re-enter the country showing that your card has expired and that renewal is in progress. This authorisation allows you to leave and re-enter the country within 90 days.

It is necessary to request an appointment through the appointment system. If your stay in Spain is in Bilbao Campus, please choose BIZKAIA in the “provincias” foldable or GIPUZKOA, if San Sebastián Campus. Option: POLICÍA - TOMA DE HUELLAS