Erasmus in Spain 2026-2027: a complete step-by-step guide
If you're coming from another European university to study a semester or a full year in Spain, this guide covers everything you need: how to apply step by step, what the Learning Agreement is, what paperwork to sort out on arrival, where to live, how much it costs, and which universities teach the most in English. Every figure is either officially sourced or clearly labelled when it isn't.
What Erasmus+ is and who can apply
Erasmus+ is the European Union's education mobility programme, letting you study a semester or a full academic year abroad without paying extra tuition at the host university. For 2026 it has a reference budget of around €5.2 billion at EU level, according to the European Commission. To come to Spain on Erasmus, your home university needs to hold the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (ECHE) — nearly all public EU universities have it, along with a significant number of private ones. Most home universities require at least one full academic year completed before you can go on Erasmus as an undergraduate; master's and PhD students can generally apply from their first semester.
Important: you apply through your own university's international office, not with the Spanish university directly. They handle the bilateral agreement, your Learning Agreement, and the grant payment.
How to apply, step by step
The application follows the same route regardless of your home university or destination country:
- Check your faculty's bilateral agreements. You can't choose just any Spanish university — only the ones your home faculty has a signed agreement with for your specific degree. Your university's international office publishes the updated list each year.
- Submit your application at your home university. Deadlines vary a lot by country and university, but applications usually open between January and March of the year before your mobility — check early, since the most popular spots fill up fast.
- Sign the Learning Agreement. This is the agreement listing the courses you'll take in Spain, approved by both your home Erasmus coordinator and the coordinator at the host university. Explained in detail below.
- Wait for your admission letter from the Spanish university. You'll need it to apply for a visa or study stay authorisation if you're not an EU citizen.
- Finalise enrolment and plan your arrival. Travel, housing, and the paperwork covered in the next section — start looking into this at least a month in advance.
Paperwork on arrival in Spain
The paperwork depends mainly on whether you're an EU citizen or not, and it's where most of the confusion comes from among international students.
If you're from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland
You don't need a visa or a Foreigner Identity Card (TIE). If your stay is longer than three months, it's worth applying for a NIE (Foreigner Identification Number) at a police station or by appointment, since you'll be asked for it to open a bank account, sign a rental contract, or complete some university procedures.
If you're NOT from the EU
If your study stay is longer than 6 months, you need to obtain the Foreigner Identity Card (TIE). Under Royal Decree 1155/2024, in force since 20 May 2024, applications for a long-term study residence authorisation must be submitted at least two months before your studies begin. The TIE process requires: form EX-17, proof of payment of the fee (form 790, code 012, currently €16.08), the favourable resolution of your study stay authorisation, and a passport-style photo with a white background. Appointments are booked online through the National Police's electronic office.
Other common procedures on arrival
- Padrón registration (empadronamiento): registering at your city's town hall. Many procedures (NIE, health centre registration, some transport discounts) require this as proof of address.
- Spanish bank account: banks usually ask for your NIE or TIE plus proof of enrolment. Some offer fee-free accounts specifically for international students.
- Spanish phone line: carriers require a NIE, TIE, or passport to sign you up, whether on a contract or prepaid plan.
Health insurance: what you need depending on where you're from
Health insurance is mandatory for every Erasmus student in Spain, but the exact type depends on your nationality and how long you're staying:
| Situation | What you need |
|---|---|
| EU/EEA citizen, short stay | European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), issued in your home country before you travel. Gives you access to Spanish public healthcare under the same conditions as a resident. |
| EU/EEA citizen, long stay | The EHIC doesn't cover repatriation or lost luggage: a supplementary travel insurance policy is recommended. |
| Non-EU, or stay longer than 90 days | Full private health insurance with no co-payments or waiting periods, including repatriation cover — this is a mandatory requirement for the study stay authorisation. |
The Learning Agreement and credit recognition
The Learning Agreement is the document that guarantees the courses you pass in Spain will be automatically recognised on your home transcript. You, your home Erasmus coordinator, and the coordinator at the Spanish university sign it before the term starts, and it lists the specific courses, their ECTS credits (European Credit Transfer System, the common credit system used across the EU), and their equivalence with courses in your home degree plan.
During the first few weeks of term — usually between two and four, depending on the university — you can typically request changes to the Learning Agreement if a course doesn't fit your schedule or turns out not to match what you expected. After that window, changes are generally no longer possible. If you fail a course, it typically won't be recognised and you'll need to retake it at your home university once you're back; courses you pass are added to your transcript as agreed in the document.
Housing: options and how to find it
Most Erasmus students in Spain go for a shared flat, though there are several alternatives depending on budget and preferences:
- Shared flat: the most common and flexible option, found through platforms like Uniplaces, Pepe Housing, Idealista, or city-specific Facebook groups.
- Colegio mayor or student residence: pricier, but usually includes meals and organised social activities — very useful if you're arriving without knowing anyone. Places are limited, so apply several months in advance. See indicative prices in our guide to colegio mayor prices in Spain.
- Homestay with a Spanish family: less common for university Erasmus than for language courses, but some universities offer it — especially useful if you want to practise the language.
Watch out for scams: never wire money or pay a deposit for a flat you haven't viewed (in person or via a live video call) or without a proper contract. International students are a common target for fake listings, especially in July and August.
Cost of living in Spain as a student
Cost of living varies a lot by city, and accommodation is usually the biggest part of the budget. These figures come from student housing platforms (Uniplaces, Pepe Housing) with 2026 data, not an official government statistic, so treat them as a guide rather than a fixed price:
| City | Room in a shared flat | Estimated monthly budget |
|---|---|---|
| Madrid | €500 – 900/month | €900 – 1,300/month |
| Seville | from €200/month | €450 – 500/month (cheaper than Madrid or Barcelona) |
As a general industry reference, some platforms put the average total monthly spend for a student in Spain at around €1,300, including rent (~€850), food (€200-250) and transport (€60-100). As a rule of thumb, Madrid and Barcelona are the most expensive cities; mid-sized cities like Valencia, Zaragoza, Bilbao or Málaga cost noticeably less; and smaller university towns — Salamanca, Granada, or Santiago de Compostela — tend to be the cheapest, especially for housing.
Getting around the city
Most Spanish university cities offer discounted transport passes for students under 26. Check your city's transport authority (metro, bus, or tram) as soon as you arrive, since it's usually the cheapest way to get around day to day. For travel between cities, Renfe (the state rail operator) offers a youth pass with significant discounts for under-30s on medium-distance trains, handy if you want to use weekends to explore other parts of Spain.
Which universities teach the most in English
Spain has more than 250 bachelor's programmes taught entirely in English, according to specialised education sector roundups. The offer is concentrated mainly in private universities and a group of internationally-oriented public ones, including Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Universidad Pompeu Fabra, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, and Universidad de Navarra. You can browse and compare university profiles, with real cutoff grades and prices, on Vocaria's search tool.
Working during your Erasmus exchange
EU students can work in Spain with no additional restrictions during their Erasmus exchange. Non-EU students need to check the specific conditions of their study stay authorisation, which generally allows combining studies with part-time work within certain hour limits. Immigration rules are updated fairly often, so confirm with the immigration office or your university's international office before signing any contract.
Social life and the Erasmus community
The Erasmus Student Network (ESN) is the largest international student association in Spain, with local sections (named "ESN" plus the city or university) at most campuses hosting exchange students. They organise welcome activities in the first weeks of term, trips, cultural events, and language exchanges ("tandems"), and are usually the fastest way to meet other international students as soon as you arrive. Many Spanish universities also run their own buddy programme, pairing exchange students with local students.
Duration and extending your stay
Erasmus+ study mobility has a maximum combined duration of 12 months per study cycle (bachelor's, master's, or PhD), split between studies and traineeships if you combine both. It's possible to extend a semester into a full year if a place is available and both universities approve it — apply several weeks before the original end date, since it depends on place availability and the programme's budget.
Compare Spanish universities, their degrees and their prices on Vocaria →
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to apply for an Erasmus exchange in Spain?
You need to be enrolled at a university holding the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (ECHE), which covers nearly all public European universities and many private ones. You always apply through your home university's international office, never directly with the Spanish university.
Can I choose any Spanish university for my Erasmus exchange?
No. You can only go to universities your home faculty has a signed bilateral agreement with for your specific degree. Your university's international office publishes the list of available agreements.
What is the Learning Agreement?
It's the document listing the courses you'll take at the Spanish university, guaranteeing that if you pass them they will be automatically recognised on your home transcript. It's signed by your home Erasmus coordinator and the coordinator at the host university before the term starts.
Do I need a NIE or a TIE to study in Spain?
EU citizens don't need a TIE, though it's worth getting a NIE for things like opening a bank account. Non-EU citizens staying longer than 6 months need the Foreigner Identity Card (TIE).
Is health insurance mandatory for Erasmus students?
Yes. EU students need the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC); non-EU students, or anyone staying longer than 90 days, need full private health insurance with no co-payments or waiting periods.
What happens if I fail a course during my Erasmus exchange?
It depends on your home university's rules: typically that specific course won't be recognised and you'll need to retake it once you're back, while courses you passed are recognised as agreed in the Learning Agreement.
Can I work while doing my Erasmus exchange in Spain?
EU students can work with no additional restrictions. Non-EU students need to check the conditions of their study stay authorisation, which generally allows combining studies with part-time work within certain hour limits — confirm with the immigration office before signing any contract.
How long does an Erasmus exchange last and can it be extended?
Erasmus+ study mobility has a maximum combined duration of 12 months per study cycle (bachelor's, master's or PhD). It's possible to extend a semester into a full year if a place is available and both universities approve it, applying several weeks before the original end date.