INFORMATION FOR FOREIGN STUDENTS IN SPAIN

Students from the European Union have freedom of movement and residence in Spain . But if they want to study in Spain for a period of over 180 days, however they must apply for a residence card for studies called "tarjeta de residencia para la realización de estudios" at the police station closest to the university, presenting the original and one photocopy of the following documents:

1. valid passport.
2. filled in application form (available at the police station).
3. document accrediting their admission to the university where they will study and the duration of the studies.
4. bank documents accrediting their financial solvency to cover their study and living expenses.
5. document accrediting their place of residence in Spain.
6. 4 colour photographs.

EU students that only want to study one year in Spain have also the possibility to apply for EU-programmes such as Erasmus or Socrates, providing scholarships to study in the member states of the European Union. Some Universities have also bilateral agreements with Partner Universities in other countries, which often facilitates the process of applying to a University in Spain.

Non-European Union foreign students must have a current passport before arriving in Spain and must apply for the special student visa (Type D) at the Spanish Embassy or Consulate in their home countries. The conditions for obtaining a visa vary from country to country. Once in Spain they must obtain the student card called "tarjeta de estudiante" at the police station closest to the university, presenting the original and one photocopy of the following documents:

1. filled in application form (available at the police station).
2. student visa type "D".
3. document accrediting their admission to the centre where they will study.
4. document accrediting their place of residence in Spain.
5. bank documents accrediting their financial solvency to cover their study and living expenses.
6. a health insurance policy covering all risks.

There are also some scholarship-programmes for non-European foreign students, similar to the European Union programmes and bilateral agreements between different universities of different countries.

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