Sheet 5 - Student mobility within the European Union

* The content of this page is for guidance only. Only the provisions of the regulations in force at the time of submission of the application are applicable. 

Last Updated: May 2025

Index of contents

  • Types of Mobility
  • Basic regulations
  • Mobility Type 2: Mobility towards Spain with EU intramovility measures
    • Exigible documentation
    • Procedure
  • Mobility Type 3: Mobility to Spain without EU intramovility measures
    • Requirements
    • Exigible documentation
    • Procedure

TYPES OF MOBILITY

1. MOBILITY TO ANOTHER EU COUNTRY OF FOREIGN STUDENTS HOLDING A VALID VISA OR LONG-STAY AUTHORISATION FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAMMES ISSUED BY SPAIN WITH EU INTRAMOVILITY MEASURES

Persons students who hold a visa or a long-stay authorisation valid for the implementation of higher education programmes, issued by Spain, and who participate in a European or multilateral Union programme including mobility measures or who are covered by an agreement between two or more higher education institutions, shall have the right to stay in one or more Member States for a period of up to 360 days per Member State, in order to carry out part of their studies in a higher education institution after communication to the authorities of those States in accordance with their Directive 801) (EU). 

2. MOBILITY FROM ANOTHER EU COUNTRY TO SPAIN OF FOREIGN STUDENTS HOLDING A VISA OR A VALID AUTHORISATION FOR HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAMMES ISSUED BY ANOTHER MEMBER STATE WITH MEASURES OF EU INTRAMOVILITY

Persons students who hold a visa or a valid authorisation issued by another Member State in accordance with Directive (EU) 2016/801, and who participate in a Union or multilateral programme including mobility measures or who are covered by an agreement between two or more higher education institutions, shall 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 prior communication to the Aliens Office of the province in which the activity is to begin.

3. MOBILITY FROM ANOTHER EU COUNTRY TO SPAIN OF FOREIGN HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENTS, HOLDERS OF A VALID AUTHORISATION ISSUED BY ANOTHER MEMBER STATE WITHOUT EU INTRAMOVILITY MEASURES

Students who have been admitted for the completion or extension of studies in another Member State of the European Union, but who are not covered by a Union or multilateral programme including mobility measures or by an agreement between two or more higher education institutions, may submit an application for authorisation to enter and stay in Spain in order to complete or complete part of their studies in a Spanish higher education institution, visa requirements not being enforceable.

BASIC REGULATIONS 

  • Directive (EU) 2016/801 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 May 2016 on the conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals for the purposes of research, studies, internships, volunteering, pupil exchange programmes or educational projects and au pair placement.
  • Organic Law 4/2000, of 11 January, on the rights and freedoms of foreigners in Spain and their social integration (articles 25 bis and 33.6).
  • Royal Decree 1155/2024, of 19 November, approving the Regulations of Organic Law 4/2000, of 11 January, on the rights and freedoms of foreigners in Spain and their social integration (article 59).

MOBILITY TYPE 2: MOBILITY TOWARDS SPAIN WITH EU INTRAMOVILITY MEASURES

EXIGIBLE DOCUMENTATION

Note: in general, copies of the documents must be provided and the originals must be displayed at the time of submitting the application.

  • It must be accompanied to the same:
     
    • A copy of a valid and valid full passport or travel document.
    • A copy of the authorisation issued by the first Member State, covering the total period of mobility.
    • Proof that the student is carrying out part of his studies within the framework of a mobility programme or an agreement between two or more higher education institutions.
    • Proof of their admission by a Spanish higher education institution.

Important note: when documents are provided from other countries, they must be translated into Spanish or co-official language of the territory where the application is submitted by a sworn translator.

List of sworn translators.

On the other hand, any foreign public document must be previously legalized by the Consular Office of Spain with jurisdiction in the country in which the document has been issued or, where appropriate, by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation except in the case where the document has been apostilled by the competent authority of the issuing country in accordance with the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961 and unless the document is exempt from legalization under the International Convention.

Information on translation and legalization of documents.

PROCEDURE

  • Subject legitimated to present the communication of displacement by EU studies: Institutions or centres of higher education that are registered in the Register of Institutions and Centres of Higher Education.
  • Place of presentation:
     
  • Deadline for submission: The communication will be made at any time prior to the entry into Spanish territory and, at the latest, within one month of being carried out, with an indication of the expected duration and mobility dates.
  • Within 30 days, the Government Delegation or Subdelegation may raise objections to student mobility, when:
     
    • No valid and valid passport is provided.
    • No copy of the authorisation issued by the first state covering the total period of mobility is provided.
    • No proof of admission by a higher education institution in Spain is provided.
    • No is it a Union or multilateral programme or an agreement between institutions.
    • Where the documents submitted have been acquired fraudulently or have been falsified or manipulated or where one of the grounds for refusing an application for authorisation applies.
    • The maximum length of stay has elapsed.
  • In case of opposition to mobility, the student person will not be allowed to carry out part of his studies in Spain and the first State will allow the displaced foreign person to re-enter without further formalities. If the trip to Spain has not yet taken place, the refusal resolution will prevent it.

MOBILITY TYPE 3: MOBILITY TO SPAIN WITHOUT EU INTRAMOVILITY MEASURES

REQUIREMENTS

  • Not to be a citizen of a State of the European Union, of the European Economic Area or of Switzerland, or a family member of citizens of these countries to which the regime of citizen of the Union applies.  
  • Have sufficient economic means to cover the costs of stay and return to their country and, where appropriate, those of their relatives, in accordance with the following amounts:
    • For its maintenance, monthly, 100% of the IPREM, unless it is duly accredited to have paid in advance the accommodation for the entire duration of the stay.
    • For the support of their relatives, monthly, 75% of the IPREM for the first relative and 50% of the IPREM for each of the remaining people, unless it is duly accredited to have paid in advance the accommodation for the entire duration of the stay.
  • To have a health insurance, concluded with an insurance company authorized to operate in Spain, with benefits similar to those granted by the Common Basic Portfolio of assistance services of the National Health System, valid for the duration of the planned stay.
  • In the event that the duration of the stay exceeds six months and is older, have no criminal record in Spain and in the countries where he has resided for the last five years, for crimes existing in the Spanish legislation.
  • Not to pose a threat to public order, public safety or public health.
  • Have been admitted for the completion or extension of studies in another Member State of the European Union.
  • Have been admitted by an institution or a centre of higher education recognized in Spain. 
  • Have paid the registration, registration or equivalent document fees required by the corresponding institution or school.
  • Pay the fee for the processing of the procedure.

 

EXIGIBLE DOCUMENTATION

Note: in general, copies of the documents must be provided and the originals must be displayed at the time of submitting the application.

  • Application form for study stay in official model (EX – 00), duly completed and signed by the foreign person or his/her legal representative.  
  • Copy of the complete passport in force or travel title, recognized as valid in Spain, with minimum validity of the period for which the stay is requested.
  • Copy of documentation certifying compliance with all of the above requirements: 
    • Documentation proving to have the necessary economic means for the period requested and for the return to the country of origin.
    • Documentation accrediting the availability of health insurance.
    • Documentation certifying your status as a student in another Member State of the European Union.
    • Documentation proving to be admitted to a teaching centre in a recognised higher education centre in Spain, within the framework of a full-time programme leading to the attainment of a recognised higher education degree 
    • If the length of stay exceeds six months and the foreign person is over the age of criminal responsibility, a criminal record certificate issued by the authorities of the country of origin or the country in which he or she has resided for the last five years.
    • If the foreign person is 17 years old and is in charge of a third party who does not have his or her parental authority or guardianship, he or she must have the authorization of both parents or of the person who holds the parental authority or guardianship exclusively for the stay for studies in Spain.
    • Proof of having paid the fee for the processing of the procedure.

Important note: when documents are provided from other countries, they must be translated into Spanish or co-official language of the territory where the application is submitted by a sworn translator.

List of sworn translators.

On the other hand, any foreign public document must be previously legalized by the Consular Office of Spain with jurisdiction in the country in which the document has been issued or, where appropriate, by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, except in the case where the document has been apostilled by the competent authority of the issuing country in accordance with the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961 and unless the document is exempt from legalization under the International Convention.

Information on translation and legalization of documents.

PROCEDURE

  • Subject legitimated to submit the application and place of presentation:
    • If the student has not entered Spain:
      • The student, personally or through a representative, in person in the Spanish Diplomatic Mission or Consular Office in whose demarcation the foreign person resides and addressed to the Office of Foreigners corresponding to the province in which the activity is to begin.
    • If you are in Spain:
      • The student, personally or through a representative or through the electronic means enabled, with a minimum advance of two months to the date of expiration of their legal situation.
      • Institutions or centres of higher education, by electronic means, which are registered in the Register of Institutions and Centres of Higher Education.

Information sheet on legitimated subjects.

  • Deadline for submission:
    • Before entry into Spain: at any time.
    • After entry into Spain: within one month from the date of entry.
  • Corresponding fee: it will accrue at the time of submission of the application, and must be paid within ten working days:
    • Model 790 code 052, heading 1.1.1. “Initial authorization of long-term stay for studies, student mobility, volunteer services or training activities”.

The subscription form can be downloaded from this page.

  • Period of resolution: the maximum period for notifying the decision is one month from the day following the date of entry into the competent body for its processing. Once this period has elapsed without the Administration having given an express response, it may be understood that the request has been favourable.
  • Granted the authorization, if the alien is not in Spain, must enter within a maximum period of three months from the notification.
  • In the event that the stay lasts more than six months, the foreign person must personally request the identity card of a foreigner within one month of entry into Spain, at the competent Police Station or police services of his place of residence.

The documentation to be provided in the application for the alien identity card can be consulted at the following link:

https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/procedimientos/index/categoria/34

  • The long-term stay authorization obtained for higher studies will authorize to work for oneself and others, automatically and without the need for an additional procedure, provided that this activity is compatible with the performance of these studies and is not more than 30 hours per week.