Student visa in Spain: Master’s vs long-term Spanish course — which is the smarter (and cheaper) way to move to Barcelona?

At a glance: Master’s vs long-term Spanish course

Master’s degree (public university)

• Pros

  • Potentially lower tuition if admitted to a public program.

  • Strong academic credential for your career.

• Cons

  • Fixed start dates (typically September) and competitive admissions.

  • Language prerequisites (e.g., B2 Spanish) for many programs; English-taught options exist but are limited by field.

  • Private options can be significantly more expensive.

Long-term Spanish course (e.g., Speakeasy BCN)

• Pros

  • Frequent year-round start dates and flexible entry (easier timing for your move).

  • Visa-eligible full-time study; stays are renewable if you continue qualifying studies (subject to current rules).

  • Rapid Spanish proficiency for daily life, bureaucracy, and future studies/work.

  • A practical “pathway year” before committing to a Master’s.

  • Flexible timetables & study breaks. Multiple schedules (morning/afternoon/evening) plus planned study breaks make it easier to balance other commitments.

• Cons

  • Tuition can exceed public Master’s fees (though still well below many private Master’s), typically €2,890–€5,754 for a full-time year.

Explore visa-eligible long-term options and pricing:

• Long-term courses (visa-eligible): https://www.speakeasybcn.com/en/spanish-courses/long-term

What the Spanish student visa lets you do

If you’re a non-EU/EEA citizen staying more than 90 days, you’ll apply for Spain’s national student visa (Type D) through your Spanish consulate. Once in Spain, you’ll obtain your local residence card (TIE). Official guidance and document lists are published by Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and consulates:

• General visa overview (Ministry of Foreign Affairs): https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Embajadas/seul/en/ServiciosConsulares/Paginas/Consular/Visados-nacionales-Informacion-general.aspx

• Long-stay visas (including studies): https://www.inclusion.gob.es/en/web/migraciones/w/estancia-por-estudios

Typical requirements include:

• An acceptance letter from an accredited institution

• Proof of full-time enrollment (often 20+ hours/week)

• Proof of funds (based on IPREM), private health insurance, a clean criminal record certificate, and (where requested) a medical certificate

Financial means (IPREM). Spain uses the public income index IPREM to calculate minimum funds for visas and permits. For 2025, IPREM is commonly referenced at €600/month (12-payment basis = €7,200/year). In practice, that means showing a bank account in your name with available funds of at least IPREM × the number of months you’ll stay in Spain (and more if your consulate requires the 14-payment figure or additional percentages for dependents). Always follow your consulate’s exact checklist and thresholds:

• IPREM data page (SEPE – data/updates): https://www.sepe.es/HomeSepe/prestaciones-desempleo/Cuantias-anuales.html

Can a language school get you a student visa?

Yes. If you enroll full-time in an accredited Spanish language program (20+ hours/week), you can apply for the same Type D student visa as university students—provided the school is recognized and issues the required documents. Your consulate’s studies-visa page will confirm eligible “educational activities” and the documentation needed:

• Long-stay visas for studies (Ministry): https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Embajadas/seul/en/ServiciosConsulares/Paginas/Consular/Visados-nacionales-Informacion-general.aspx

At Speakeasy BCN, our Long-Term Spanish Courses are designed to be visa-eligible, with start dates every two weeks year-round so you can time your move more flexibly than the traditional university calendar:

• Long-term courses (visa-eligible): https://www.speakeasybcn.com/en/spanish-courses/long-term

• Student visa support (documents, timelines, FAQs): https://www.speakeasybcn.com/en/student-visa

Cost comparison: 1 year in Barcelona (realistic ranges)

Below are illustrative annual totals combining tuition, living, and admin costs. Actual figures vary by program, housing, and lifestyle, but this gives you a grounded starting point.

Tuition (1 year):

• Public university Master’s (Catalonia example): Public university tuition is set per ECTS credit by the Catalan government. A 60-ECTS Master’s typically falls roughly in the €1,000–€2,000+ range depending on the program category and your profile. Always verify current per-credit prices for your specific Master’s:

  • Generalitat de Catalunya – Universities portal: https://universitats.gencat.cat/

  • Fees & decrees are published on gencat.cat and university pages each academic year.

• Private/specialized Master’s: Many programs range €8,000–€12,000+ per year (check each institution’s official fee page).

• Long-term Spanish course (full-time, visa-eligible): For reputable Barcelona schools, year-long full-time programs commonly range €2,890–€5,754 depending on intensity and discounts.

Living costs (12 months): Most students plan €700–€1,200/month for shared rent, utilities, transport, food, and basics. Your location (neighborhood), apartment type, and lifestyle will move this up or down.

Visa & administrative costs: Budget €200–€400 for the consular application, sworn translations/legalizations where needed, and your local TIE card/appointments. Check your consulate’s fee table and document list:

• Consular information (Ministry): https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Embajadas/seul/en/ServiciosConsulares/Paginas/Consular/Visados-nacionales-Informacion-general.aspx

IPREM-based financial proof: Expect to show at least 100% IPREM per month of stay (and more if you bring family members, per consulate rules). Always follow your consulate’s published checklist.

1-Year Cost Overview (approximate)

Notes: Totals = tuition + living + admin. Your actual spend depends on program choice, rent, and lifestyle. IPREM reference for 2025: €600/month (12-payment €7,200). See SEPE (official) for IPREM: https://www.sepe.es/HomeSepe/es/prestaciones-desempleo/Cuantias-anuales.html

Why flexibility matters: timetables and study breaks

Unlike most university calendars, long-term Spanish courses offer multiple timetables and built-in study breaks, so you can shape your week around more than just class hours. Many students use this flexibility to work remotely for their home country, advance side projects or online certifications, or travel across Spain and Europe, practicing Spanish in real settings, from ordering tapas in Granada to navigating a weekend in Lisbon.

Three realistic pathways

1) Gap year first, Master’s later
Arrive on a language-course visa, spend 9–12 months building Spanish, then apply to a public Master’s with the language and local know-how you need to thrive. This path can avoid costly private programs and gives you time to refine your academic choice.

2) Fast-track integration for future work
If your goal is to live and work in Spain, intensive Spanish from day one accelerates everything, from apartment searches to job interviews.

3) Direct Master’s—when it makes sense
If you already meet admission and language requirements and have a clear-ROI program starting soon, a public Master’s can be cost-efficient. Just plan for fixed dates, document legalization, and any language/entrance requirements set by your university and region:

• Generalitat universities portal (fees/policy hub): https://universitats.gencat.cat/

Step-by-step: Get a student visa via a language course

1. Choose an accredited school and a full-time course
   Pick a recognized center offering 20+ hours/week and issuing the documents consulates require.
   Speakeasy long-term courses: https://www.speakeasybcn.com/en/spanish-courses/long-term

2. Follow your consulate’s checklist
   Document lists vary slightly by country. Expect: application form, passport, acceptance letter showing full-time study, proof of funds (IPREM-based), private health insurance, police clearance, medical certificate (if requested), proof of accommodation, and fee payment.
   Ministry/consulates overview: https://www.exteriores.gob.es/en/EmbajadasConsulados/Paginas/index.aspx

3. Understand IPREM
   For 2025, use €600/month (12-payment €7,200) as a baseline reference; some consulates use the 14-payment annual figure in specific contexts. Check the latest official notes:

• SEPE on IPREM: https://www.sepe.es/HomeSepe/es/prestaciones-desempleo/Cuantias-anuales.html

4. Submit your application in person
   Most consulates require in-person submission and charge a fee. Processing time varies. Book early and follow your consulate’s appointment system.

• Consular network: https://www.exteriores.gob.es/en/EmbajadasConsulados/Paginas/index.aspx (find your consulate)

5. On arrival: get your TIE (student card)
   Within 30 days, complete fingerprints and obtain your residence card at the police/immigration office in your city. Your school can guide you through local steps.

Frequently asked questions

Can I renew after one year?
Yes. Student stays are renewable when you continue qualifying studies and meet the requirements in force (progress, enrollment, funds, insurance, etc.). Your school can guide you through the renewal steps and timelines published by authorities.

Can I switch from a language-course visa to a Master’s in Spain?
Yes. Many students complete an intensive Spanish year, then enroll in a university program without leaving Spain, provided they meet admissions and residence requirements at the time of the change. Consult official guidance and your future university’s admissions page.

Bottom line: When each route makes sense

Choose a public Master’s if you’re already qualified (language + admissions) for a specific program with clear outcomes and a nearby start date. It can be cost-efficient in Catalonia and beyond (verify the latest ECTS fees each year):

• Generalitat universities portal: https://universitats.gencat.cat/

Choose a long-term Spanish course if you want:

• A smoother, earlier move with frequent start dates

• Immediate immersion and practical Spanish for daily life, admin, and work

• Visa flexibility and a pathway into a Master’s after you settle

Explore visa-eligible programs and pricing:

• Long-term courses: https://www.speakeasybcn.com/en/spanish-courses/long-term

Ready to talk through your plan?

If you’re considering the language-course pathway, we’ll help you run the numbers and map the steps based on your passport and timeline.

Book a free visa consultation with Speakeasy BCN → https://www.speakeasybcn.com/en/contact

We’ll review your situation, walk you through IPREM and documentation for your consulate, and recommend the right start date and course intensity for your goals.