University fees and study costs

It is for anyone thinking about, planning or already carrying out a move to Spain to study. You will be able to estimate your costs, plan how to pay them and find ways to bring them down.

Start with "What a year as a student in Spain really costs". It puts tuition, housing, food, transport and extras into one yearly budget. Then read "How public university fees (precios públicos) are calculated" to see how your tuition is worked out from credits and enrolment count. The other pages go deeper on regions, international students, private universities, discounts and payment.

Grants and scholarships, household budget profiles and rental rules are covered elsewhere.

Key rules

• Repeat enrolment: Failing a subject raises its price next year: the second enrolment typically costs about 1.5 to 2 times the first, the third about 2.5 to 3 times, and the fourth and later about 3 to 4 times.
• School insurance: The seguro escolar costs about €1.12 a year for students under 28.
• Large family discount: Large-family status gives a 100% tuition exemption for the especial category and 50% for the general category, with conditions varying by region.
• Disability exemption: Students with a recognised disability of 33% or more are exempt from public tuition fees, usually for first-enrolment credits.
• Full-time year: A normal full-time academic year is 60 ECTS credits, so a four-year grado is 240 credits.
• New fee prices: New-year prices are usually published between June and August for the academic year starting in September.

University fees and study costs: the whole process, step by step

• Find out which prices apply to your degree and region (Why the same degree costs different amounts in different regions): Between June and August, when new-year prices are usually published for the academic year starting in September

• Estimate your tuition from credits and enrolment count (How public university fees (precios públicos) are calculated): Once the new prices are out and before you enrol

• Check whether international status changes your price (Do international students pay higher fees in Spain?): Before you enrol, if you are a non-EU student

• Gather your official discount certificate and present it at enrolment (Fee discounts and exemptions you can claim at enrolment): At enrolment, to the university's secretary's office; without it you usually pay the full fee, and later submission deadlines are strict

• Pay the first payment (Paying university fees: instalments and payments from abroad): At enrolment, between July and October

• Pay the remaining instalments if you chose them: Usually November to January, and sometimes spring

• Fix a failed or missed payment quickly: Within the short grace period after notice, often around 10 days to a few weeks, to avoid annulment of your enrolment

Documents you may need

• Passport or ID number of the student — Paying university fees: instalments and payments from abroad

• Receipt of your transfer — Paying university fees: instalments and payments from abroad

• Valid familia numerosa title — Fee discounts and exemptions you can claim at enrolment

• Disability certificate of 33% or more — Fee discounts and exemptions you can claim at enrolment

• Equivalent EU document — Fee discounts and exemptions you can claim at enrolment

University fees and study costs: questions that cross several articles

Does failing a subject make my fees higher next year?

Yes, failing a subject raises its price next year, because each repeat enrolment costs more than the last. The second enrolment typically costs 1.5 to 2 times the first, the third 2.5 to 3 times, and the fourth and later 3 to 4 times. Read How public university fees (precios públicos) are calculated, then Why the same degree costs different amounts in different regions, since multipliers vary by region.

Do non-EU students pay more for a grado in every region?

No, in most regions non-EU students pay the same per-credit price as EU students for a grado, though some universities add a surcharge in limited cases. There is no national surcharge. Read Do international students pay higher fees in Spain?, and Why the same degree costs different amounts in different regions to see your region's prices.

When will I know next year's price for my degree?

New-year prices are usually published between June and August, in your region's official gazette. Some regions publish earlier and a few late. Check that the decree names the right academic year, then read Why the same degree costs different amounts in different regions and Paying university fees: instalments and payments from abroad for when payment is due.

Can I pay in instalments if I live abroad without a Spanish bank account?

Usually not, because instalments by direct debit generally need a Spanish IBAN, so foreign payers often pay in one payment by card or international transfer. Read Paying university fees: instalments and payments from abroad, and Do international students pay higher fees in Spain? if your status affects your price.