Planning to change your studies in Spain in 2026? Learn the deadlines, documents and legal steps required to protect your student status.

Changing university, leaving a master’s programme, starting vocational training or replacing one academic course with another can have significant immigration consequences for an international student in Spain.

It is not always enough to enrol in the new institution. Depending on when the change takes place and the legal category of the new programme, you may need to apply for a completely new long-term study authorisation.

One of the most important issues is timing. As a general rule, when the application is submitted from within Spain, it must be filed at least two months before the new studies begin and while the applicant still has sufficient legal stay remaining.

Exceptions may exist when the admission or enrolment process makes compliance with this deadline impossible, but students should not rely on an exception without preparing strong documentary evidence.

This guide explains how to change studies in Spain in 2026, when a new authorisation is required, when an extension may be possible, which documents must be submitted and which mistakes could place your legal status at risk.

The main rules are contained in Spain’s Immigration Regulations approved by Royal Decree 1155/2024, together with the administrative criteria and instructions applied by the Spanish immigration authorities.

Before leaving your current programme, you can schedule your consultation here with one of our immigration lawyers.

Can an international student change studies in Spain?

Yes. An international student can change university, educational institution, degree or academic programme in Spain.

However, from an immigration perspective, it is not enough simply to inform the previous institution or complete a new enrolment.

A student authorisation is granted for a specific academic activity. The application normally identifies the institution, programme, starting date, duration and place where the studies will take place. For that reason, abandoning the authorised studies and beginning a different programme may affect the conditions on which the permit was originally granted.

The Spanish immigration authorities have clarified that a substantial change of studies is not automatically covered by the existing authorisation. If the student wishes to change programme while the current permit is still valid, the usual procedure will be to apply for a new long-term study authorisation.

For example, a student who obtained an authorisation to complete a master’s degree in business administration cannot automatically use the same permit to abandon that programme and begin a completely different degree at another institution.

The student must first determine whether the change requires a new authorisation or whether it can be processed as part of an extension.

This distinction should be analysed before paying a non-refundable enrolment fee or formally withdrawing from the current programme.

New study authorisation or student permit extension?

The central question is not simply whether you are changing studies. It is also necessary to examine when the change will occur and whether the new programme belongs to the same immigration category.

Changing studies while the current authorisation is still valid

If you are still undertaking the studies for which your permit was granted and decide to leave them in order to begin a different programme, the ordinary solution will generally be to apply for a new initial study authorisation.

You should not assume that the old authorisation will automatically cover the new course simply because the TIE card remains valid.

The immigration authorities could consider that the original conditions of the authorisation are no longer being fulfilled. This may affect the validity of the permit and could cause problems with future extensions, modifications or residence applications.

For instance, if a student received an authorisation to complete a university master’s degree but leaves after several months to begin vocational training, the student should normally obtain a new authorisation before starting the new programme.

The new application must demonstrate that the new studies satisfy the legal requirements and that the applicant continues to meet the financial, medical and immigration conditions.

Changing studies when the permit is about to expire

The position may be different when the student has completed the current programme and the change coincides with the expiry of the existing authorisation.

According to the administrative criteria applied under the current Immigration Regulations, an extension may sometimes be used to begin a different programme, provided that the new studies fall within the same regulatory category.

This means that a student extension does not always require the applicant to continue exactly the same degree.

For example, a student who has completed one university master’s degree may be able to request an extension to complete another higher education programme. However, changing from a language course to a university degree would normally involve a change of legal category and may therefore require a new initial authorisation.

The number of previous extensions must also be considered. Under the current rules, the number of extensions available may be limited depending on the type of studies or training activity.

If the student has already reached the maximum number of permitted extensions, a new initial authorisation may be required even when the new programme belongs to the same category.

To determine whether you need an extension or a new application, you can schedule your consultation here.

What does “the same category of studies” mean?

Spain’s Immigration Regulations distinguish between several types of long-term study and training activities.

The principal categories include higher education, post-compulsory secondary education, training activities, student mobility programmes and volunteering activities.

Higher education can include university degrees, official master’s degrees, doctoral programmes, higher-level vocational training and certain recognised higher artistic education programmes.

However, the name used by the school or training provider is not decisive.

The immigration authorities will examine the legal nature of the institution, the recognition of the programme, the qualification awarded, the academic workload and whether the studies are genuinely full-time.

A private course advertised as a “professional master’s degree” may not necessarily qualify as higher education for immigration purposes.

Similarly, a Spanish language course does not normally belong to the same category as an official university master’s programme.

Before enrolling, the student should confirm that the new institution and programme are eligible for a Spanish long-term study authorisation.

The fact that a school accepts international students does not necessarily mean that every course it offers is valid for immigration purposes.

The two-month deadline for changing studies

One of the most common mistakes is to focus only on the expiry date printed on the TIE card.

When a new study authorisation is submitted from within Spain, two separate deadlines may need to be respected.

As a general rule, the application must be submitted:

• At least two months before the new programme begins.
• At least two months before the applicant’s current legal status in Spain expires.

Therefore, it may not be enough for the TIE to be technically valid on the day the application is filed.

If fewer than two months remain before the expiry of the current authorisation, the immigration authorities may consider that the application was filed outside the ordinary legal deadline.

Likewise, the application should not normally be submitted only a few days before the new programme begins.

The purpose of the deadline is to allow the authorities to examine the application before the academic activity starts.

Are there exceptions to the two-month deadline?

Yes. Certain exceptions may apply when the admission or enrolment process prevents the student from applying two months in advance.

For example, an applicant may receive a university place through a waiting list shortly before the course begins. A scholarship may be awarded after the ordinary application period, or the educational institution may only confirm final admission during a late enrolment window.

In such cases, the student should provide official documentary evidence showing why an earlier application was impossible.

Useful documents may include the institution’s admissions calendar, the notification of the place being awarded, evidence of a waiting-list procedure, a scholarship decision or an official letter explaining the enrolment timetable.

The exception is not automatic.

It is not normally sufficient to state that the student did not know about the deadline or decided to change studies at the last moment. Personal delay or lack of planning will not necessarily be accepted as a justified reason.

If your studies begin soon or your TIE is approaching expiry, schedule your consultation here so that your situation can be reviewed before the application is filed.

Who can apply for a new study authorisation from Spain?

Not every type of study authorisation can be requested from within Spain under the same conditions.

An adult who wishes to undertake higher education may generally submit the application while legally present in Spain.

This allows a student who already holds a valid study authorisation to apply for another higher education programme without necessarily returning to their country of origin.

However, the applicant must remain legally present in Spain and comply with the relevant deadlines.

Different rules may apply to other categories, including certain post-compulsory secondary education programmes or training activities.

In some cases, an initial application from within Spain may only be available to applicants who hold a residence authorisation rather than a stay authorisation.

This distinction is important because a Spanish student authorisation is legally classified as a stay, not as residence.

Therefore, a person who wishes to change from higher education to another category of training may not always be able to complete the entire procedure from Spain.

Depending on the programme and the applicant’s status, it may be necessary to apply for a visa through the Spanish consulate in the country of residence.

The competent Immigration Office will normally be the office of the province where the new studies will take place.

Requirements for the new academic programme

The new course cannot be selected solely on the basis of personal preference or convenience.

The applicant must have been admitted to a recognised or authorised educational institution to complete a full-time programme leading to an officially recognised qualification, diploma or certificate.

For higher education, the authorities generally expect the student to enrol in a substantial academic workload. Administrative criteria commonly refer to enrolment covering at least 90% of the credits scheduled for the corresponding academic year.

For other programmes, the authorities may examine the weekly timetable, total teaching hours, course duration, content and level of attendance required.

The student must also demonstrate that the enrolment is genuine.

The admission letter should clearly identify:

• The student.
• The institution.
• The name of the programme.
• The start and completion dates.
• The study method.
• The academic workload.
• The qualification or certificate awarded.

It is also necessary to provide evidence that the enrolment fee, tuition deposit or amount required to secure the place has been paid.

It may not always be necessary to pay the entire course fee in advance, but the student must prove that admission and enrolment are effective.

Inconsistencies between the admission letter, payment receipt, academic calendar and application form may result in a request for additional documents or a refusal.

Documents required to change studies in Spain

The exact documentation will depend on the student’s nationality, current status and new programme.

A typical application may include:

• The completed and signed EX-00 application form.
• A full copy of the valid passport.
• A copy of the current TIE.
• A copy of the resolution granting the existing authorisation.
• An admission letter from the new educational institution.
• Evidence of enrolment or payment of the required fees.
• Information about the programme, timetable, duration and qualification.
• Evidence of sufficient financial resources.
• Evidence of valid medical coverage in Spain.
• A criminal record certificate when legally required.
• Evidence that the corresponding administrative fee has been paid.
• An explanatory letter describing the reasons for the change.

Foreign documents may need to be legalised or apostilled, depending on the country of issue.

They must also be translated into Spanish by a sworn translator recognised by the Spanish authorities when they are not already issued in Spanish.

Applications submitted from within Spain do not generally require the medical certificate that may be requested in consular visa procedures. Nevertheless, the exact documentary requirements should always be checked according to the procedure being used.

To have your documents reviewed before submission, schedule your consultation here.

How to explain the change of studies

The immigration application should present the academic change clearly and coherently.

Although an extensive legal statement is not mandatory in every case, it is advisable to explain why the student is leaving the previous programme and how the new studies fit into their academic or professional plans.

The explanation may include the original programme, the reason for changing, the date on which the previous studies will end, the relationship between the two programmes and the applicant’s future career objective.

A well-prepared explanation is particularly important where the student has already changed programme on previous occasions, has failed to complete the authorised studies or is moving to a course that appears unrelated to their academic background.

The authorities may examine whether the student’s principal purpose in Spain continues to be genuine education.

A change supported by a logical academic or professional reason will generally be easier to justify than an unexplained series of short courses.

For example, a student who begins a general business course and later gains admission to an official university master’s degree in finance can explain the academic progression clearly.

By contrast, abandoning several unrelated programmes after short periods may create doubts about the genuine purpose of the stay.

Financial means required for the new application

The student must demonstrate sufficient financial resources to cover living expenses throughout the requested period.

The general reference is 100% of the monthly IPREM for the main applicant.

Where family members accompany the student, the amount is increased by 75% of the IPREM for the first family member and 50% for each additional family member.

Money allocated to tuition fees cannot normally be counted twice as financial support.

For example, if part of the applicant’s savings must be used to pay outstanding tuition fees, the Immigration Office may deduct that amount when calculating the funds available for living expenses.

Financial resources may be demonstrated through savings, scholarships, regular income, financial support from relatives or other legally accepted sources.

Bank statements should clearly identify the account holder and show the balance and recent transactions.

Large transfers made shortly before the application may raise questions if their origin is not explained.

Where financial support is provided by a parent, relative or another person, it may be necessary to provide evidence of the relationship, a formal commitment to cover the student’s expenses and proof of the sponsor’s financial capacity.

The funds must be genuinely available to the student during the authorised period.

Medical insurance requirements

The applicant must have public or private medical coverage valid in Spain.

The insurance should provide coverage comparable to that offered by the Spanish public healthcare system during the entire requested period.

Policies with significant co-payments, waiting periods, important exclusions or low coverage limits may not be accepted.

A standard travel insurance policy intended for tourists will not normally be sufficient for a long-term study authorisation.

The policy should cover ordinary medical treatment, specialist care, hospitalisation and other necessary healthcare services in Spain.

Where the student is correctly registered with the Spanish Social Security system as a result of authorised employment, that public coverage may be relevant.

However, it is necessary to verify that the coverage will remain valid for the entire duration of the requested authorisation.

Students should not automatically cancel private insurance after starting work without first confirming that their Social Security coverage satisfies the immigration requirement.

Criminal record certificate

A criminal record certificate may be required where the requested authorisation exceeds six months and the applicant is of criminal responsibility age.

The certificate will normally need to cover the countries in which the applicant has lived during the legally relevant period before the application.

The exact requirement may depend on the documents already submitted in a previous procedure, the time that has passed and whether the Spanish authorities are able to verify the information through their records.

A foreign criminal record certificate may need an apostille or consular legalisation and a sworn translation into Spanish.

Because obtaining, legalising and translating this document can take several weeks, it should be requested well before the application deadline.

Students should not assume that a certificate filed several years earlier will automatically remain valid for the new application.

How is the application submitted?

A new study authorisation can be filed with the competent Spanish Immigration Office.

Applications submitted from within Spain are commonly filed electronically through the Mercurio platform, either directly by the applicant or through an authorised representative.

Electronic submission allows the applicant to obtain immediate evidence of registration and monitor notifications during the procedure.

In certain cases, a higher education institution registered for this purpose may submit the application electronically on behalf of the student.

The application must be complete and properly structured.

Submitting only the EX-00 form, passport and admission letter is rarely sufficient.

The Immigration Office will normally need to verify the applicant’s legal status, financial resources, medical insurance, academic admission and compliance with the filing deadlines.

A legal representative can also prepare an explanatory submission and respond to any request for additional documentation.

What happens while the application is pending?

The general decision period for a study authorisation submitted from within Spain is two months.

If no decision is notified within that period, the application may be considered refused by administrative silence. However, the authorities remain obliged to issue an express decision.

When the application is submitted correctly and within the legal deadline, the previous legal status may be extended until the procedure is resolved.

This protection is important because it can prevent the student from becoming irregular solely because the existing TIE expires while the application is pending.

Nevertheless, the mere filing of an application does not mean that the new programme has already been formally authorised.

The student should keep the electronic filing receipt, copies of all submitted documents and any communications received from the Immigration Office.

It is also essential to check electronic notifications regularly.

Failure to open or respond to a notification within the relevant period may lead to the application being treated as abandoned or refused.

Duration of the new study authorisation

The duration of the authorisation will depend on the type and official length of the programme.

For higher education, the authorisation may be granted for the official total duration of the studies.

For other categories, the duration may coincide with the academic activity and may be subject to a maximum period, without prejudice to any extensions legally available.

The authorisation may begin shortly before the programme starts and may include a brief additional period after the official completion date.

Where a higher education authorisation is granted for more than one year, the student may be required to demonstrate periodically that enrolment continues and that the financial and medical requirements remain satisfied.

If the authorisation exceeds six months, the applicant will normally need to apply for a new Foreign National Identity Card, known as the TIE.

The fingerprint appointment and TIE application should generally be completed within one month of the granting decision.

You may also wish to read our guide to the mandatory steps after receiving a Spanish study authorisation.

Can you work after changing studies?

Authorisations granted for higher education generally allow the student to work as an employee or on a self-employed basis without applying for a separate work permit.

The employment must remain compatible with the studies.

As a general rule, the professional activity should not exceed 30 hours per week and must not prevent attendance or satisfactory academic progress.

However, the right to work will depend on the authorisation that is actually in force.

A student who has applied for a new authorisation should not automatically assume that every right attached to the future permit applies from the date of submission.

It is necessary to review the conditions of the current authorisation and the legal effects of the pending application.

The main purpose of the permit remains study.

Abandoning the academic programme or failing to comply with attendance and progression requirements may affect the authorisation even if the student is working and paying Social Security contributions.

After completing your studies, you may also be interested in our guide on changing a Spanish student authorisation into a residence and work permit.

Common examples of changing studies in Spain

Changing from one master’s degree to another

If the student leaves the first master’s degree while the current authorisation still has several months remaining, a new study authorisation will normally be required.

If the first master’s degree has been completed and the new programme begins when the current permit expires, an extension may be possible because both programmes may fall within higher education.

The number of extensions already used and the legal status of the new programme must still be checked.

Changing from a language course to a university degree

These programmes will normally fall within different legal categories.

Even if the student is legally present in Spain, a new initial authorisation for higher education will usually be necessary.

The student must also comply with the two-month filing requirements, unless a documented exception applies.

Changing from a university degree to higher vocational training

A university degree and recognised higher vocational training may both be classified as higher education.

If the change takes place when the current permit expires, an extension may be possible.

If the student leaves the university degree during the validity of the permit, a new initial authorisation will generally be the safer procedure.

Changing university while continuing the same degree

A transfer to another university may still constitute a significant change because the institution identified in the original application will be different.

The student should review the granting decision, the academic transfer documents and the conditions of the existing authorisation.

A transfer of academic records does not automatically update the student’s immigration status.

Leaving studies without enrolling in a new programme

Stopping attendance without obtaining another authorisation may mean that the conditions supporting the permit are no longer fulfilled.

It can also create difficulties in future extension, modification or residence applications.

The student should obtain legal advice before formally withdrawing from the programme.

Common mistakes to avoid

The first major mistake is assuming that a valid TIE allows the student to complete any academic programme in Spain.

The card proves the holder’s administrative status, but the underlying authorisation was granted for a specific purpose and programme.

Another common mistake is waiting for final admission without monitoring the expiry date of the existing authorisation.

By the time the admission letter is issued, fewer than two months may remain before the permit expires or the new course begins.

Students also frequently enrol in institutions or programmes that are not eligible for immigration purposes.

A professional website, international marketing campaign or acceptance of foreign students does not guarantee that the programme meets the requirements for a Spanish study authorisation.

Using the wrong procedure is another serious problem.

An applicant may submit an extension when a new initial authorisation is legally required. Even if the applicant has sufficient funds and valid medical insurance, the application may still be refused because the incorrect procedure was used.

Other frequent problems include incomplete bank statements, tourist medical insurance, missing apostilles, non-sworn translations and admission letters that do not clearly state the dates or academic workload.

The safest approach is to plan the immigration procedure before leaving the current studies.

To avoid these mistakes, schedule your consultation here.

Authorisations granted under the previous Immigration Regulations

Spain’s current Immigration Regulations entered into force on 20 May 2025.

Some students may still hold authorisations that were applied for or granted under the previous regulations.

Transitional provisions may therefore be relevant, particularly regarding the duration of the permit, extension rules, employment rights and the correct procedure for changing studies.

Students should not assume that an authorisation granted under the former system is governed entirely by the current rules.

The date of the original application, the granting decision, the type of authorisation and any previous extensions should be reviewed carefully.

This can be particularly important for students whose permit was granted before 20 May 2025 but who are now planning an extension or change of programme in 2026.

Frequently asked questions about changing studies in Spain

Can I change university without applying for a new authorisation?

It depends on the significance and timing of the change. If you leave the authorised programme and begin another while your permit remains valid, a new authorisation will usually be required. If the change coincides with an extension and remains within the same legal category, an extension may be possible.

Can I apply if fewer than two months remain?

An application may be accepted in exceptional circumstances, such as late admission, a waiting-list place or an enrolment calendar that made earlier filing impossible. You must provide official evidence. A late personal decision or lack of knowledge of the deadline will not normally justify non-compliance.

What happens if my TIE expires while the application is pending?

If the application was filed correctly and within the legal period, your previous status may be extended until a decision is issued. Keep the filing receipt. An out-of-time application or an application submitted through the wrong procedure may not offer the same legal protection.

Can I work while changing studies?

Higher education authorisations normally allow employment of up to 30 hours per week when compatible with the studies. However, filing a new application does not necessarily activate all the rights of the future authorisation immediately. The conditions of the permit currently in force must be reviewed.

Can I request an extension if I am starting a different programme?

Yes, this may be possible when the new programme belongs to the same regulatory category and you have not reached the maximum number of extensions. If the category changes, you leave your studies during the permit’s validity or extensions are exhausted, a new initial authorisation will normally be required.

Plan the change before leaving your current programme

Changing studies in Spain is possible, but the academic and immigration procedures must be coordinated.

A new university enrolment does not automatically modify the conditions of the existing study authorisation.

The correct strategy will depend on the expiry date of the current permit, the starting date of the new programme, the legal category of the studies, the recognition of the institution, the number of previous extensions and the student’s current immigration status.

When the change is planned sufficiently early, it may be possible to preserve the student’s legal status without interruption.

By contrast, leaving the current programme, allowing the TIE to expire or using the wrong procedure may lead to a refusal and, in some cases, make it necessary to return to the country of residence to apply for a new visa.

Students should therefore review their immigration position before formally withdrawing, signing a new enrolment agreement or making a substantial non-refundable payment.

Do you need personalised legal advice?

At Visal Immigration Lawyers, we are immigration lawyers who regularly assist international students changing university, degree, master’s programme or educational institution in Spain.

We can review your current authorisation, the dates of the new programme, the legal category of the studies and the documentation required to determine whether you need a new authorisation or can use an extension procedure.

You can schedule your consultation here to receive personalised advice and prepare your application correctly.

You may also contact us by WhatsApp message only at 618 702 253, or visit www.visalimmigration.com for further information.

Do not leave your current studies or pay a significant non-refundable enrolment fee without first confirming how the change will affect your immigration status.

Good planning can prevent requests for additional documents, refusals and periods without valid legal status.

Schedule your consultation here and our team will review your situation professionally, clearly and individually.

This article is provided for general information only and does not replace personalised legal advice. Immigration criteria may vary depending on the circumstances of the application and the competent Immigration Office.