Indian students admitted to a Spanish university, business school or accredited course of more than 90 days apply for a national student visa at BLS International. The fee is EUR 80 for Indian nationals, the funds to show are 100 per cent of the IPREM, EUR 600 a month (EUR 7,200 a year) in 2026, and the file needs health insurance, a medical certificate and, for stays over six months, an apostilled police clearance. Consulates decide within about a month, students collect the TIE card within 30 days of arrival (EUR 16), may work up to 30 hours a week and can stay up to 24 months after graduating to look for work.
The short version with the price card and checklist is on the Spain student visa route page. This article is the long version: who qualifies, what the consulate checks, what Spanish study costs, the sequence for a September intake and the reasons files are refused.
Who qualifies for a Spain student visa?
Students with an admission letter from a Spanish institution recognised by the Ministry of Universities or the regional education authority for a full-time programme of more than 90 days. That covers public universities (Complutense, Barcelona, Autónoma de Madrid, Valencia, Granada), private universities and business schools (IE, ESADE, IESE, EAE), vocational and language courses of at least 20 hours a week, and research stays. Indian students most often take English-taught master's degrees in business, data science, engineering and hospitality. Tuition at public universities runs EUR 1,500 to 4,000 a year for master's degrees and EUR 15,000 to 40,000 at business schools.
The admission letter must state the programme, dates, weekly hours and tuition status. Minors need parental authorisation and a guardian in Spain. Since the 2025 regulation (RD 1155/2024, in force 20 May 2025) the consulate decides within one month, the student's authorisation covers the whole programme, and renewals are filed in Spain up to 60 days before expiry.
What does the consulate check?
Funds. 100 per cent of the IPREM for each month of stay, EUR 600 a month in 2026 (EUR 7,200 for a year), through bank statements in the student's own name or a parent's with a sponsorship letter, an Indian education loan or a scholarship award; tuition must be paid or shown as available separately.
Health. Insurance from a company authorised in Spain with full cover and no co-payments, and a medical certificate from a registered doctor stating no disease with public-health implications under the 2005 International Health Regulations, translated into Spanish.
Conduct. For stays over six months, a police clearance certificate from India (Passport Seva PCC) and from any country lived in during the last five years, apostilled by the Ministry of External Affairs and translated by a sworn translator (traductor jurado).
Academic record. Marksheets and certificates for the 10th, 12th and degree, translated if requested, and a short study plan where there is a gap after the last qualification or a change of field. The approach mirrors the one described in the Spain Schengen visa guide: consistent documents and a steady financial picture carry the file.
How much does it cost to study in Spain?
| Item | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| National student visa (Indian nationals) | EUR 80 | Paid in INR at BLS; not refunded |
| BLS International service fee | About INR 1,700 | Per application |
| TIE card (tasa 790-012) | About EUR 16 | Within 30 days of arrival, at the police station |
| Apostilled police clearance certificate | About INR 1,500 plus translation | Stays over 6 months |
| Medical certificate | INR 500 to 2,000 | From a registered doctor; translated |
| Health insurance | EUR 400 to 800 a year | Authorised in Spain, no co-payments |
| Tuition | EUR 1,500 to 4,000 (public master's); EUR 15,000 to 40,000 (business schools) | Paid to the institution |
Vistolane charges the EUR 80 government fee at the official rate and shows the BLS, insurance and legalisation costs separately on the Spain destination page.
How does the application run?
- Secure admission and pay the deposit; obtain the admission letter with programme, hours and dates.
- Prepare the file: funds of EUR 600 a month, insurance, medical certificate, apostilled and translated PCC for stays over six months, accommodation and academic documents.
- Book BLS International and lodge the national visa with the form, photo, passport and biometrics; pay EUR 80 and the BLS fee, up to 90 days before the course.
- Wait about a month for the decision and collect the passport; the visa is valid for entry and, for stays under six months, serves as the stay authorisation.
- Arrive and, within 30 days, book the police appointment for the TIE (tasa 790-012, EUR 16, fingerprints) and register your address (empadronamiento) at the town hall.
What is the timeline for a September intake?
| Stage | Typical time | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Admission | January to June | Offer and deposit |
| PCC, apostille, translation | 3 to 6 weeks | Passport Seva, MEA, sworn translator |
| BLS appointment and decision | 3 to 6 weeks | Peak in July and August |
| Travel | Before the course start | Visa window of 90 days |
| TIE card | Apply within 30 days; card in 30 to 45 days | Needed to travel out and back |
Start the PCC and apostille as soon as the offer arrives: the consulate will not accept a file for a stay over six months without it. The processing times page tracks the current consulate turnaround.
What happens after arrival?
Register your address at the town hall and apply for the TIE within 30 days; the card is renewed each year with proof of enrolment, academic progress and funds, filed in Spain up to 60 days before expiry. Students may work up to 30 hours a week and are registered with social security by the employer. Spouses and children may apply to accompany the student on a family stay authorisation with funds of 75 per cent of the IPREM for the first relative and 50 per cent for each further one.
Graduates apply in Spain for residence to seek employment or start a business for up to 24 months under the 2025 regulation, and then for a work authorisation; the Spain work visa guide covers the highly qualified, EU Blue Card and general routes, and Indian graduates of Spanish institutions are exempt from the labour-market test. Time on a student authorisation counts half toward the five years for long-term residence.
Why are Spain student visas refused, and what fixes each reason?
Funds not shown. Statements below EUR 600 a month or a lump sum days before applying. Hold the balance for three months and add the parent's sponsorship letter, loan or scholarship.
PCC missing or not legalised. No apostille or no sworn translation. Order the PCC early, apostille through the MEA and use a traductor jurado.
Insurance with co-payments. A policy not authorised in Spain or with excesses. Buy a full-cover policy from an insurer authorised in Spain.
Course not eligible. A part-time or unaccredited programme under 20 hours a week. Choose an accredited full-time programme and obtain a detailed admission letter.
Academic gap or purpose doubted. Years since the last degree without explanation. Add a study plan and employment records.
How Vistolane files it
Vistolane prepares the funds, insurance and PCC documents, books BLS, charges the EUR 80 fee at the official rate and sets reminders for the 30-day TIE appointment. Start with the free eligibility check or the Spain student visa route page. Students comparing European options can read the Italy student visa guide and the Germany student visa guide.
