Since Brexit, British students planning to study in Spain for more than 90 days must apply for a Visado de Estudios (National Type D visa) at the Spanish consulate before departure. The Spanish embassy in London handles most UK applications, with a consulate also in Edinburgh. The process mirrors that of other non-EU nationalities — gather documents including financial proof, comprehensive health insurance, and criminal record check, then attend a consulate appointment.
Spanish Student Visa Application for British Students
- Book your appointment: Spanish Embassy in London (Belgrave Square) or Spanish Consulate in Edinburgh. Appointments are booked online through the consulate portal. Book well in advance — peak season (May–July) sees high demand.
- Gather documents: Completed visa application form (Solicitud de Visado Nacional), valid UK passport (18+ months validity), 2 passport photos, university admission letter, financial proof (bank statements showing ~€700/month for study duration), comprehensive health insurance covering Spain (no copayments — GHIC is NOT sufficient), proof of accommodation in Spain, DBS Enhanced certificate (or Basic DBS) — apostilled, academic certificates (A-levels, degree — apostilled where required).
- Get DBS and apostille: Request a DBS certificate from gov.uk/request-copy-criminal-record. For the apostille, use the FCDO Legalisation Office (fcdo.gov.uk/legalisation) — online service, typically 1–5 business days for digital apostille.
- Pay visa fee: ~€60–80 (non-refundable); check Spanish Embassy London for current payment methods.
- Attend appointment: Bring originals and copies. Fingerprints and photo taken.
- Wait for processing: Typically 2–6 weeks from the UK — faster than many other countries. Do not book non-refundable flights until approved.
- After arrival: Register at Oficina de Extranjería within 30 days for TIE.
Document Checklist — British Applicants
| Visa form | Solicitud de Visado Nacional — from Spanish Embassy website |
|---|---|
| UK passport | Valid 18+ months; photocopy of all pages with data |
| Passport photos | 2 recent, white background, 3.5 × 4.5 cm |
| Admission letter | Official enrollment letter from Spanish university |
| Financial proof | Bank statements (3–6 months) showing ~€700/month for study duration |
| Health insurance | Comprehensive private policy — no copay/deductible, covers Spain (GHIC not accepted) |
| Accommodation proof | Rental contract, university housing letter, or host invitation |
| Criminal record (DBS) | DBS certificate — apostilled by FCDO Legalisation Office |
| Academic certificates | A-levels / degree — apostilled as required by the specific university/consulate |
| Visa fee | ~€60–80 (non-refundable) — check current payment methods at Spanish Embassy London |
Frequently Asked Questions
Apostilles for UK documents (regardless of whether they are English, Scottish, Welsh, or Northern Irish) are issued by the UK FCDO Legalisation Office. There is one central UK apostille authority — you submit your documents (or request an online digital apostille for electronic documents) through the FCDO Legalisation Office portal at fcdo.gov.uk/legalisation.
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