How much does a Spanish student visa really cost?
Budget roughly £280 to £1,000 or more for the whole process. The consular fee for UK citizens is about £345 plus a £15 BLS fee, and the documents around it add up: ACRO certificate £65-£125, apostilles £45-£170, sworn translations £30-£80, medical certificate £30-£120, plus small costs like photos and the TIE card fee in Spain. The wide range comes down to whether you use standard or fast services and whether your consulate requires the optional extras.
Itemised estimate
- Consular visa fee (long-term, UK citizens): about £345
- BLS service fee: about £15
- ACRO certificate: £65-£70 standard, £115-£125 premium
- FCDO apostilles: £45 per document official, £82-£95 via fast agencies
- Sworn translations: £30-£80 per document
- Medical certificate: £30-£120 private
- Passport photos: £5-£15
- Health cover: usually free with the GHIC
- In Spain: TIE card fee about £14-£22 equivalent, paid in euros
Where people overspend
The premium versions of everything (fast ACRO, agency apostilles, rush translations) can double your document costs. They're worth it if you started late; they're wasted money if you start 4+ months before your course, because the standard services fit comfortably in that window. The other classic overspend is buying private health insurance when your consulate accepts the free GHIC.
Streamline the whole process
Visado puts every step in the right order for your course date and walks you through them one at a time. Nothing missed, nothing late.
Start my free planFrequently asked
Why is the Spanish visa fee £345 for UK citizens?
The UK fee is set on a reciprocity basis and is higher than the ~€80 base national visa fee other nationalities pay. It's paid at the appointment and is non-refundable.
What's the minimum realistic total?
Around £280-£450 if you start early, use standard services and your consulate accepts the GHIC. Estimates only; fees change.
Are the fees refunded if the visa is refused?
No. The consular and BLS fees are non-refundable regardless of outcome.