Deborah Cater
Spain is one of the top destinations for foreign students in Europe. Over the past decade, international student numbers at Spanish universities and language schools have grown sharply.
The growth in foreign students is fuelled by a combination of factors. These include strong academic offerings, attractive living conditions, evolving immigration policies, and Spain’s role in European student mobility programmes like Erasmus+.
Erasmus+ is the European Union’s flagship programme for education, training, youth, and sport. It facilitates student and staff mobility across universities in Europe and partner countries. Spain consistently ranks among the leading host countries for Erasmus+ students.
According to the 2023 Erasmus report, Spain hosted 152,652 Erasmus+ students during 2023, an increase of 6.8% over 2022 and rebounding strongly after a dip in 2020/21 due to COVID-19 restrictions. This figure represents a steady upward trend since 2017, when Spain welcomed around 86,000 Erasmus students.
Overall, Spain’s Erasmus+ mobility numbers place it in the top three EU destinations, behind France and Germany. Spanish universities also benefit from strong participation in Erasmus’s student mobility, staff teaching and training exchanges, and joint master’s programmes.
Rising tide of degree-seeking international students
Beyond Erasmus+, Spain has experienced a significant rise in full-degree international enrolments. The Ministry of Universities reported that in 2022/23, Spain had a record 241,777 foreign students enrolled across public and private higher education institutions. This is a 7.8% increase on the previous year’s 224,080 and a 46% rise since 2015/16.
This growth is partly driven by increasing demand from non-European Union countries. Non-EU international students now exceed 100,000, nearly doubling in less than a decade. Latin American nations are the most prominent contributors, with Colombia and Ecuador among the top sending countries. Italy and France also remain major sources of international students in Spain.
What are they studying?
International students in Spain primarily study Business and Management (about 30%), Engineering and Technology (25%), Arts and Humanities (20%), and Health Sciences (15%). Spanish universities have been expanding their catalogue of programmes taught entirely in English. Approximately 40% of master’s degrees are now offered in English, making Spain more accessible to students who do not speak Spanish fluently upon arrival.
This bilingual or multilingual approach adds to Spain’s competitive appeal. It allows students to combine academic progression with cultural and linguistic immersion.
The role of language schools in attracting students
Spain’s appeal is not limited to university degree programmes. Language schools, many affiliated with FEDELE (Federación de Asociaciones de Escuelas de Español para Extranjeros), have seen remarkable growth. Post-pandemic, enrolments in Spanish language courses increased by approximately 40% between 2022 and 2024, with over 153,000 students enrolled in 2024 alone.
Total student-weeks in Spanish language schools now approach 710,000, a 36% increase from pre-pandemic figures. The student base is roughly split between individual learners and groups, mostly aged between 12 and 25. These programmes combine language instruction with cultural activities, providing a rounded immersion experience.
Other international student programmes
While Erasmus+ remains Spain’s flagship programme for student mobility within Europe, the education ecosystem extends well beyond this single initiative. Spanish universities have cultivated strong bilateral agreements with institutions worldwide, especially across Latin America, the United States, and Asia. These partnerships enable student and staff exchanges tailored to specific academic collaborations, often complementing the opportunities offered by Erasmus+. This global network is particularly robust with Latin American countries, reflecting historical, linguistic, and cultural ties that continue to attract thousands of students each year.
In addition to academic exchange agreements, Spain is a key participant in several global scholarship and research programmes. The Fulbright Programme, for instance, brings American scholars and students to Spain. For example, there are 165 English Teaching Assistant Award places available for the 2026/7 school year.
Spanish universities also benefit from participation in Horizon Europe, the European Union’s research and innovation framework, which supports mobility for doctoral and postdoctoral researchers. Technical and vocational mobility is also well supported. Spain engages actively with IAESTE (International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience), which facilitates paid internships for engineering and technical students from around the world.
Moreover, foundations such as Fundación Carolina play a pivotal role in promoting academic exchange and scholarship programmes, particularly targeting students from Latin America.
Many universities and language schools run international summer schools and intensive language programmes, attracting students who wish to combine academic study with tourism and cultural immersion.
Together, these diverse programmes form a comprehensive framework that positions Spain as an accessible, attractive, and well-connected destination for students from across the globe.
Policy changes boosting Spain’s appeal
Spain’s rising popularity among foreign students is not only a result of its academic offerings and lifestyle but also of recent shifts in immigration and work policies.
In mid-2023, Spain introduced more flexible regulations allowing international students to work up to 30 hours per week during their studies, an increase from the previous limit of 20 hours. This change aligns Spain more closely with other leading European study destinations, making it easier for students to support themselves financially and gain valuable work experience alongside their academic commitments.
In addition to expanded work rights during studies, Spain now offers graduates a post-study job search visa valid for one year. This new provision enables international graduates to remain in Spain after completing their degrees to look for employment opportunities.
These measures align Spain more closely with competitive countries like Germany and the Netherlands, increasing its attractiveness as a foreign student destination.
Key factors why foreign students choose Spain
Academic Quality and Cost
Spain offers a high standard of education at comparatively low tuition fees. Public universities charge significantly less than their US and UK counterparts. According to a Study.eu survey, 81% of international students cited “high quality of education” as a main reason for choosing Spain.
Cultural and Linguistic Immersion
The opportunity to learn Spanish, the world’s second most spoken native language, is a strong draw. Spanish universities combine academic programmes with cultural activities and language school options. The availability of programmes taught in both Spanish and English broadens access.
Lifestyle and Environment
Spain’s warm climate, energetic cities such as Malaga, Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Granada, and Seville, and welcoming student communities enhance its attractiveness. The country offers a quality of life that includes affordable living costs, excellent transport links, and cultural heritage.
Strong International Networks
Spain’s ties with Latin America, Europe, and beyond create a natural pool of incoming students, especially from Spanish-speaking countries. The country’s position as a gateway between Europe and Latin America is unique.
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