Is Spain the Next Big Study Abroad Hub? What Indian Students Should Know

TL;DR

• Spain is rapidly gaining attention as a compelling alternative to traditional study abroad destinations like the UK, US, Australia, and Canada. 
• With tuition fees for public master’s programs ranging from €1,600–€2,600 and a monthly living cost as low as €570, Spain offers high-quality, affordable education. 
• Top universities provide English-taught courses in medicine, engineering, data science, and more. Indian students can work 30 hours per week during studies and apply for a 12-month post-graduation job-seeker visa. 
• Spain’s political stability, welcoming atmosphere, and clear path to work permits and permanent residency make it a strategic choice. As visa hurdles grow in other countries, Spain stands out for its balanced mix of affordability, opportunity, and cultural richness.

UK, USA, Australia, and Canada – for decades, these countries have been the destinations of choice for Indian students.  Things are different now. Getting admission in universities in these countries is not the problem — Indian students can meet even the most stringent admission criteria and can afford the cost, too.  Getting a study visa is the problem. The study visa problem is related to larger issues within these countries – problems that have spun these countries into populist, nativist, political vertigo.  No student wants to put academic effort and tuition money into a situation where they can’t be certain that they will be allowed to complete their degree or avail of post-graduation work opportunities.  No wonder that the UK, USA, Australia, and Canada are no longer favoured.

 Universities in Europe have been quick to recognize the opportunity.  And make no mistake – an Indian student is an opportunity on two legs:  smart, talented, hard-working, an asset to any country’s workforce, AND he or she pays full tuition fees. In just the past year, there has been a discernible uptick in European university marketing aimed at Indian students.

The university scene in countries such as Germany, France, and the Netherlands is already fairly well known, so let’s look at a country that has so far remained ‘below the radar’ of Indian students: Spain.

We have no reliable information on exactly how many Indian students have studied in Spain in recent years. It’s safe to say that the annual numbers would not exceed two or three thousand.  Spanish government information is available on how many international students have been studying in Spain.  That number is rising, indicating that Spanish universities and the government want international students.

Indian students have preferred to study in English-speaking countries.  This is a major reason why Spain has not figured as a study destination. 

No sugar-coating it – language IS a problem.  The most recent data (October 2023) reveals that approximately 39 percent of Spanish citizens had sufficient English skills to hold a conversation. This figure places Spain among the lower ranks in the European Union for English proficiency, with only a few countries reporting lower percentages [  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_the_European_Union  ].

The low percentage of English speakers is strange in a country where international tourism amounted to 12.3 percent of Spain’s GDP in 2023, amounting to approximately €184 billion, and providing 2.5 million jobs, representing 11.6 percent of total employment.  But, strange or not, those are the facts.

Language is one factor in the decision to study – or not study – in Spain, but an even bigger factor is the quality of education offered by Spanish universities and technical institutes.  Learn the language?  Sure!  IF the degree gained is the key to multiple golden doors of opportunity.

 Let’s look at the rankings (QS and Times World Universities).

 Here’s a partial list of universities and technical institutes that offer programmes in English.  All the institutions named in the table above offer programmes in English.

Admission requirements for all universities and technical institutions are just about the same:

1. Language Proficiency: Most programs require proof of English proficiency through tests like IELTS or TOEFL.
2. Academic Qualifications: Relevant high school diploma for undergraduate programs; bachelor’s degree for master’s programs.
3. Additional Documents: Transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose may be required.

Starting in 2026, non-EU students or those from countries without agreements with Spain will be required to take a new university entrance exam (PAU) to gain admission to Spanish universities. This move aims to standardize entry requirements for international students.

 A third factor that weighs with Indian students is tuition costs.  In this area, Spanish universities are very attractive. 

 When it comes to the cost of living, Spain is a great choice.  We have calculated on the basis of a student with a modest lifestyle.

 The requirements for getting a visa to study in Spain are typical of study visa requirements in just about all countries.  Here are the requirements as of 2025

Next step: Employment.  The Spanish government allows non-EU/EEA students to work up to 30 hours per week while they are studying.  This does not involve any additional procedures or permissions, provided their student visa was issued after August 16, 2022.  The only condition is that the employment must be compatible with the student’s studies, and the working hours should not interfere with academic commitments.

After a student graduates, they can get a job search visa, valid for up to 12 months.  During this time, they can either find a job related to their field of study or start a business. 

• To get this visa, they must submit proof that they graduated from a Spanish university/technical institution. 
• They must also show that they have health insurance coverage and enough money to support themselves during the job search period. 
•  A student must apply for this visa 60 days before or 90 days after the expiration of their current student visa.
• After finding a job, the student, now an employee, can apply for a work permit. The employer typically sponsors this visa.

There is a special provision called the Highly Qualified Worker Residence Permit.  Graduates with a job offer in managerial or technical positions with a salary above €40,000 per year can apply for this.

Being a legal permanent resident of Spain confers significant rights within Spain, but it does not automatically grant the freedom to live and work anywhere in Europe. Here’s a breakdown of what it means and what options are available:

Rights of a Spanish Permanent Resident

Once you are a permanent resident of Spain, you are granted a long-term EU residence permit (residencia de larga duración-UE) IF you apply for it. This permit gives:

1. Unrestricted right to live and work in Spain
2. Access to social security, education, and healthcare
3. Protection against expulsion (with exceptions)

The long-term EU residence permit does not allow you to freely live or work in another EU country the same way EU citizens can.  What you can do is:

Apply to live and work in another EU country under certain conditions.  You must apply for a residence and work permit in that country, and you must follow immigration rules in the new country.

The host country can ask for:

1. Proof of employment or sufficient means.
2. Health insurance.
3. Sometimes proof of accommodation.

Each country has its own rules about labor market access for EU long-term residents coming from another EU country.

 For those who want to settle in Spain.  After five years of continuous legal residence in Spain, a person can apply for permanent residency.  Time spent in Spain under a student visa does not count towards the five-year requirement for permanent residency. However, half of the time spent on a student visa may be considered when transitioning to a work or other residency permit.  People who apply for citizenship must demonstrate sufficient command of the Spanish language and culture and have no serious criminal convictions.

Non-EU nationals can apply for Spanish citizenship after ten years of legal residence

 Looking at the pros and cons of studying in Spain, YUNO LEARNING concludes that universities and technical institutions in that country are a good option.  English-taught programmes, reasonable costs, and post-study opportunities make for a winning combination.  Plus, the country is tension-free, politically stable, and culturally enriching.