a) EU Citizens

Professors and students who are EU citizens have no legal formalities to complete before coming to Spain. In accordance with current legislation (http://www10.gencat.net/agaur_web/recursos/estrangeria/ 46.pdf), all students belonging to a European Union or European Economic Area member state, as well as the Swiss Confederation, and who intend to reside in Spain for a period of time longer than three months must register at the Central Registry Office for Foreigners (Registro Central de Extranjeros) in order to be issued a certificate of registration and an identity card for foreigners (NIE).

The certificate of registration can be obtained without prior appointment and in person at any of the national police stations (Comisaría) close to your place of residence (information about registration: http://www.bcn.es/diversa/padro/ing/index.htm).

If you live in Barcelona you will need to go to the police station of the Barceloneta district (Avinguda Joan de Borbó 32). For students from Bulgaria and Romania please consult this information sheet
http://www10.gencat.net/agaur_web/recursos/estrangeria/49.pdf


b) Non-EU Citizens

If you are from outside the European Union and you want to study in Spain, either on your own or through one of the many available grants (exchange programmes, undergraduate and postgraduate studies, master's degrees, doctoral programmes, etc.), you must obtain a Type D student visa (Visado D Estudiante - Abierto) before leaving your country. You can apply for a visa through your nearest Spanish Embassy or Consulate. Without the visa you cannot obtain the Student Residence  Card you need to be a legal Spanish resident. You should check how much time you will spend in Spain,
since there is a Type D visa limited to only 180 days (Visado D Estudios hasta 180 días), and under no circumstances can you renew this visa once you are in Spain, or apply for a Student Residence Card with a limited type visa. If you are planning to stay more than six months, you will need to obtain a Type D student visa before leaving your country.

A visa can never be changed in Spain. The only visa valid is the one obtained from the Spanish Embassy or Consulate before coming to Spain. Only those with a Type D student visa will be allowed to obtain a Student Residence Card once they arrive to Spain.

The Student Residence Card (Autorización de Estancia por Estudios) is a temporary residence permit that remains valid while you are studying in Spain. This permit is valid for a maximum of one academic year and can be renewed every year until you finish your studies. Your academic performance will be taken into account when renewing your permit. This document gives you the right to remain legally in the country while you study. You will have a maximum of 30 days after entering the European Union to begin the process of applying for a Student Residence Card. For this, you will need to present your flight ticket (boarding ticket) or the stamp on your passport showing the date in which you entered the European Union.


Further information:

STUDENT RESIDENCE CARD
• Applying: Comisaria De Policia
C/ Guadalajara,1-3 (corner of Carrer Bosch)
Barcelona
Metro: Diagonal L3, L5
Phone: 93.415.97.69

• Renewing:
• Work Permit:
Sub-delegación del Gobierno
Oficina de Estranjería
C/ Murcia 42
Barcelona
Metro: Navas / Clot (red line)
Clot / Bac de Roda (purple line)

RETURN PERMIT:
Sub-delegación del Gobierno (old officce)
Av. Marquès de l’Argentera, 2-4
Barcelona - Metro: Barceloneta L4
Phone: 935201410
Times: Lu-ju.9h a 17.30h v. 9h a 14h.