To get a Spanish student visa, you must show about EUR 600 for each month you plan to stay, and once you are in Spain you may work up to 30 hours a week if the job fits around your studies.
The money figure is 100% of Spain’s monthly IPREM, a public income index that equals EUR 600 in 2026. The work limit comes from Spain’s immigration regulation, Royal Decree 1155/2024.
Below you get the rule, a worked example, and what the law does and does not allow. This is general information from official Spanish sources, not visa advice.
AIA helps students with admission applications only. We do not give visa advice outside Canada. For programs and next steps, see our Spain study guide.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- The floor is 100% of IPREM per month: that is EUR 600 a month in 2026, for each month of your stay.
- Tuition does not count: the regulation says money meant for your studies cannot be counted toward your living funds.
- Family adds more: 75% of IPREM for the first family member and 50% for each one after that.
- Work cap is 30 hours a week: going over it is a reason for Spain to end your study stay authorization.
- Check your consulate: consulates publish their own wording and requirements, so confirm the exact amount where you apply.
How much money do you have to show for a Spanish student visa?
You must show enough money to cover your living costs and your trip home for the whole stay. The regulation sets the reference amount at 100% of IPREM per month, and Spain’s consulates publish that rule on their student visa pages (Royal Decree 1155/2024, article 35).
IPREM is a public index that Spain uses for many benefits and rules. IPREM equals EUR 600 a month in 2026.
You can count scholarships, grants, a valid work contract or firm job offer if your permit allows work, and a statement from your school or host organization that it takes responsibility for you. The regulation also says the money for your tuition cannot be used to meet this living-cost test.
If you prove your housing is already paid for the whole stay, the required amount can be reduced.
Read the legal text in the Royal Decree 1155/2024 in the Spanish official gazette (BOE), article 35, letter h. The consolidated version was last updated on September 22, 2026.
What does the money rule look like in real numbers for Studying in Spain?
Multiply EUR 600 by the months of your stay. If your studies last longer than 12 months, confirm with your consulate how many months of funds you must show.
The table below is our own arithmetic from the published percentages, using the 2026 IPREM of EUR 600. It is an illustration, not an official quote, so confirm the final figure with your consulate.
| Who is applying | How it is worked out | Funds shown (EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| One student, 6 months | 6 x 100% of IPREM | 3,600 |
| One student, 12 months or longer | 12 x 100% of IPREM | 7,200 |
| Student plus spouse, 12 months | 12 x (100% + 75%) | 12,600 |
| Student, spouse and one child, 12 months | 12 x (100% + 75% + 50%) | 16,200 |
Your real budget will be higher than these numbers, because the rule is a legal floor and not a cost estimate. Ask your university for current tuition and housing costs in your city.
One detail to watch: the IPREM itself is set in euros, but consulates publish their own wording and may present the figures differently. Always read the page of the consulate that will handle your file, and confirm the exact amount with them before you apply.
How many hours can you work on a Spanish student visa?
In general, you can work up to 30 hours a week. Article 57 of Royal Decree 1155/2024 says paid work for a student must not exceed thirty hours a week, with a different rule for intensive vocational training.
That automatic work authorization applies to higher education students, the category in article 52.1(a) of the regulation. For them, the study authorization lets you work as an employee or on your own account automatically, with no extra permit, as long as the work is compatible with your studies.
Students in other study categories are not covered automatically. They must apply for work authorization under articles 74 and 84. Breaking the 30-hour limit is a reason to end your study stay authorization.
For higher education students, curricular internships that are part of your study plan, are set up through an agreement with your school, and are not an employment relationship do not need a separate permit. Having the right to work is not the same as finding a job, so do not build your budget around wages.
What else must you prove besides money to study in Spain?
Money is one of several requirements. Article 35 of the regulation also asks for a valid passport, an initial study stay authorization, payment of the visa processing fee, and health insurance.
The regulation also requires a medical certificate, and a criminal record certificate if you are an adult staying more than 180 days. Consulates publish their own detailed insurance rules, so confirm the coverage, deductible and waiting period requirements with the Spanish consulate where you will apply.
The regulation says to apply at least 2 months before your program starts. Each consulate sets its own appointment process and may set an earliest filing date as well, so check yours early and confirm the full window with them.
How do you check the Spanish Student visa rules for your own case?
- Step 1: Find the Spanish consulate that covers your place of residence and open its official student visa page.
- Step 2: Write down the monthly amount it gives and how many months of your stay it applies to.
- Step 3: Add the family percentages if your spouse or children will travel with you.
- Step 4: Gather bank statements or other proof that cover this amount, separate from your tuition payment.
- Step 5: Confirm the insurance, medical and document rules on the same page before you book anything.
Want help choosing a Spanish university and program that fits your budget?
Our team can match your profile and budget to admission options across our study abroad destinations. Check My Admission Chances.
Frequently asked questions
How much money do I need to show for a Spain student visa?
The regulation sets 100% of the monthly IPREM for each month of your stay, which is EUR 600 a month in 2026. For a stay of 12 months or longer, that works out to about EUR 7,200 for one student.
Does my tuition count toward the Spain visa money requirement?
No. Article 35 of Royal Decree 1155/2024 says the amounts used to pay for your studies or program are not counted toward the living-cost requirement.
How many hours can an international student work in Spain?
In general, up to 30 hours a week, and the work must fit with your studies. Going over that limit is a reason to end the study stay authorization.
Can I bring my spouse or children to Spain while I study?
Yes. Under article 56 of Royal Decree 1155/2024, family members of higher education students may apply for a visa to accompany them. You must show extra funds of 75% of IPREM per month for the first family member and 50% for each additional one.
Is the EUR 600 a month rule enough to live on in Spain?
It is a legal minimum for the visa, not a budget. Your real costs depend on your city, housing and tuition, so ask your university for current figures.
Amir Ismail is the founder of Amir Ismail & Associates, which helps international students plan their studies and admission applications.
Ready to plan your studies in Spain? Book a Strategy Consultation with our team.
