How much does it cost to study at a public university in Spain?

How much money do you need to study at a public university in Spain? It's one of the most common questions we get, and the answer depends on the university, the program, and the city you choose. That's why it's important to understand not just the cost of tuition, but all the expenses involved in living in Spain. TUITION • Spanish public universities generally offer more affordable tuition than private universities. • Costs vary by region, university, and program: in general, you can find tuition fees ranging from 800 EUR to 2,500 EUR per year. • Always check the current price for the specific program and university you're interested in, since it can change each cycle. COST OF LIVING Beyond tuition, you should budget for: • Housing • Food • Transportation • Health insurance • Academic materials • Personal expenses • Paperwork and documentation • Travel to Spain Cost of living varies by city. Madrid and Barcelona tend to be more expensive, while other university cities offer more affordable options. As a general reference, a student may need between 700 and 1,200 EUR per month to cover their main expenses, though this budget varies based on your spending habits and the city where you study. HOW MUCH YOU NEED TO SHOW FOR YOUR VISA To apply for a Spanish student visa, you need to show you have enough financial means to cover your stay. In 2026, the financial reference is 600 EUR per month, meaning 7,200 EUR for a full year. This amount corresponds to the visa's financial requirement and doesn't necessarily reflect the real cost of living in any given Spanish city; your actual budget may be higher depending on where you decide to live. A REAL CASE: WHAT WOULD A STUDENT ACTUALLY SPEND? To better understand these costs, let's look at the case of an international student who decided to study at the University of Burgos. At this university, tuition was about 787 EUR per year. For housing, he found a room in a shared apartment for 350 EUR per month, along with friends he already had in the city. He also budgeted around 300 EUR per month for food, transportation, and other personal expenses. In total, his monthly budget was about 650 to 700 EUR, depending on his expenses that month. His approximate budget was: • University tuition: 787 EUR per year. • Housing: 350 EUR per month. • Food, transportation, and other expenses: about 300 EUR per month. • Monthly cost of living: about 650-700 EUR. This case shows that the real cost of studying in Spain can be more affordable than many students imagine, especially when choosing a city with a more moderate cost of living and sharing housing. That said, every experience is different: your budget will depend on the city, the type of housing, and each student's lifestyle. WHAT TO KEEP IN MIND Studying at a public university in Spain can be a great opportunity, but it's important to plan your full budget: tuition, housing, food, transportation, health insurance, paperwork, travel, and personal expenses. At Estudios Internacionales, we guide you through the entire process, from choosing your university and program to preparing your documentation, the admissions process, and planning your arrival in Spain. Information about costs, dates, and requirements can change every year. We recommend scheduling a personalized consultation to confirm the most current details for your process and build a budget tailored to your situation. Want to study in Spain? Start preparing your plan with time to spare. Schedule your consultation with me and it will be a pleasure to guide you through this new step. — Betsy, specialist in public universities in Spain, private universities in Germany, universities in the United States and Ireland, and the Work & Study program in Ireland.