Study in Spain from Nepal and India

Spain student visa at a glance

Visa fee

NPR 15,373

INR 9,599

Source: exteriores.gob.es (opens the official website in a new tab)

Money to show a year

NPR 12.2 lakh

EUR 7,200

Source: exteriores.gob.es (opens the official website in a new tab)

Work in term

30 hrs/wk

Work during study

Source: boe.es (opens the official website in a new tab)

Stay after study

2 yrs

Job-search / start-up residence

Source: boe.es (opens the official website in a new tab)

Short answer: To study in Spain you apply for the Study visa with long-term stay authorisation for higher education (autorización de estancia de larga duración por estudios superiores). The main visa fee is INR 9,599 (about NPR 15,373). You must also show EUR 600 per month: money that stays yours. You can work up to 30 hours a week during term. Eligible bachelor's and master's graduates can get a post-study work stay of up to 24 months (rules and longer stays for some degrees below).

How much does it cost to study in Spain?

Two different kinds of money: fees you pay (gone once paid) and funds you show as evidence (they stay in your account). Never add them together.

What do I need for the Spain student visa?

Visa and stay authorisation together

Applying for the study visa also applies for the study stay authorisation; apply at least 2 months before the programme starts. Source: exteriores.gob.es (opens the official website in a new tab)

Health insurance

Public or private insurance with an insurer authorised in Spain, covering all risks covered by Spain's public health system. Source: exteriores.gob.es (opens the official website in a new tab)

Criminal record and medical certificate

For stays over 180 days: a police certificate for the past 5 years and a medical certificate, each valid 6 months; Indian PCCs must come from the Regional Passport Office and be apostilled by the MEA. Source: exteriores.gob.es (opens the official website in a new tab)

Processing time

The legal decision period is 1 month from the day after you apply, longer if an interview or extra documents are requested. Source: exteriores.gob.es (opens the official website in a new tab)

TIE card

If the stay exceeds 6 months the visa is valid 1 year, and you must apply for a Foreigner Identity Card (TIE) within 1 month of entering Spain. Source: exteriores.gob.es (opens the official website in a new tab)

Duration and extensions

For higher education the authorisation matches the official length of studies; up to two extensions are allowed. Source: boe.es (opens the official website in a new tab)

Can I work while studying in Spain?

Work during study

Higher-education students may work (employed or self-employed) automatically, without a separate permit, up to 30 hours a week if compatible with studies. Source: boe.es (opens the official website in a new tab)

Where you can work

Work is limited to the autonomous community where your authorisation was granted (neighbouring localities allowed). Source: boe.es (opens the official website in a new tab)

Can I stay and work after graduating?

Job-search / start-up residence

Graduates at EQF level 6 or above can stay up to 24 months (not extendable) to look for work or start a business; apply from 60 days before to 90 days after your study authorisation expires. Source: boe.es (opens the official website in a new tab)

Switch to a work permit

After graduating you can move straight to a residence and work authorisation without a visa, applying 2 months before to 3 months after the study authorisation ends. Source: boe.es (opens the official website in a new tab)

What is different for Nepali and Indian students?

What are the top universities in Spain?

Compare universities across countries

What do international students study in Spain?

The most-studied fields, from official enrolment statistics. No official breakdown for Nepali or Indian students is published, so these figures cover international students.

What has changed recently?

1. 20 May 2025

   New Foreigners Regulation (Royal Decree 1155/2024) took effect; under it, higher-education students may work up to 30 hours a week without a separate permit. Source: boe.es (opens the official website in a new tab)

2. 16 Apr 2026

   Royal Decree 316/2026 took effect, keeping your student authorisation valid while an application to switch to residence and work is processed. Source: boe.es (opens the official website in a new tab)

Check these yourself

We could not confirm these on an official page when we last checked, so we do not state them as facts.

• Whether Nepal residents can file a study visa at a BLS centre in Kathmandu or must apply in India.
• Which tariff line applies to Indian and Nepali study-visa applicants (the price list does not name the study visa).
• Tuition (public prices set by regions/universities) and an official living-cost figure.

Official sources for Spain

Government and official pages we use for this guide, checked 22 Oct 2026.

1. 1Embassy of Spain New Delhi – Study visa (EN)student_visa · Docs, €600/month 2026, 2 months, 1-month decision, TIE
2. 2Embassy of Spain New Delhi – Visado de estudios (ES)embassy_nepal · Also serves Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Sri Lanka; BLS India
3. 3Embassy of Spain New Delhi – Consular price list 2026fees · Tariff 14 'Visado' INR 9,599; BLS INR 1,802
4. 4Embassy of Spain New Delhi – Legalisation/apostille procedure (ES-EN)legalisation · Nepal: MoFA + Honorary Consul Kathmandu; India: apostille
5. 5Embassy of Spain New Delhi – Contactsembassy_nepal · Honorary Consulate in Kathmandu
6. 6BOE – Real Decreto 1155/2024 (Reglamento de Extranjería)law · Arts 35, 52–57 (100% IPREM, 30 h/week), art 190; in force 20 May 2025
7. 7BOE – Real Decreto 316/2026law · Amends RD 1155/2024; in force 16 Apr 2026
8. 8BOE – Ley 14/2013, disposición adicional decimoséptimapost_study · 24-month job-search/start-up residence
9. 9Seguridad Social – IPREM/SMI tablefunds · IPREM €600/month (from 1 Jan 2023)
10. 10NMC – Equivalence of foreign medical qualificationrecognition · FMGL Regulations 2021 (India)