Just arrived in Spain with a student visa? Learn step by step how to register your address, get your TIE student card, work legally, bring family members and rent housing. Updated 2025 guide.

Every year, thousands of international students arrive in Spain to start a university degree, a master’s, research program or vocational training. Obtaining your student visa at the Spanish consulate is only the first step. Once you enter Spain, you must complete several legal procedures to finalise your status and avoid future problems.

In this guide, from Visal Immigration Lawyers, we explain — clearly and step by step — what you must do after arriving in Spain with a student visa, the deadlines to respect and the most common mistakes to avoid.

If you want personal guidance or legal assistance during any part of the process, you can schedule your consultation with an expert lawyer here:
https://www.visalimmigration.com/en/consulting
 WhatsApp (text only): +34 618 702 253

---

1. Register your address ("empadronamiento") — the first required step

Once you find accommodation in Spain, the very first legal step is to register your address at the local Town Hall (Ayuntamiento). This process is called empadronamiento and it proves that you officially live in a Spanish municipality.

• It is free of charge.

• You must present your passport and rental contract or housing authorization.

• You will receive a document called “certificado de empadronamiento”.

Without this document, you cannot apply for your TIE student card, so it’s essential.

---

2. Do all students need a TIE (Foreign Identity Card)?

It depends on the duration of your stay:

If your student visa is for less than 6 months:
You are not required to apply for a physical TIE card. Your visa and passport are enough to stay in Spain legally.

If your visa is for more than 6 months:
You must apply for the TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) within 30 days of entering Spain.

This is a mandatory, in-person process. Delays or failure to apply may result in fines or legal complications.

---

3. How to apply for the TIE (Student Residence Card)

Step-by-step:

1. Book an appointment (cita previa) online at the Immigration Office or Police Station (huellas).

2. Go in person on the day of your appointment.

3. Bring the following documentation:

   • Completed EX-17 form

   • Passport + copy

   • Proof of empadronamiento

   • Copy of student visa

   • Valid health insurance

   • Proof of payment of fee Form 790 code 012

   • 3 recent passport-sized photos (white background)

After the fingerprint appointment (toma de huellas), you will receive a receipt. Around 25 to 40 days later, you must return in person to pick up your physical card.

---

4. Can I work in Spain with a student visa?

Yes. Since the 2022 immigration reform, students are allowed to work up to 30 hours per week, as long as the job is compatible with their studies.

You can work without any extra permit if you are enrolled in:

• University degree

• Master’s or postgraduate studies

• Doctorate or research program

For other types of studies or if the employer requires it, a company may request an additional work authorization for students.

---

5. Can my family come with me to Spain?

Yes. Your spouse, registered partner and children under 18 can apply for an “estancia por estudios para familiares” (student family stay permit).

If their stay is longer than 6 months, they also need to apply for a TIE card.

However, family members are not allowed to work with this type of permit.

---

6. Renting accommodation: what you should know

To prove your address for empadronamiento and TIE, you need housing. You can:

• Sign a rental contract

• Live with family/friends and provide an authorization for registration

• Stay in a student residence

Tips before renting in Spain:

• Make sure the contract is written and legal

• The landlord must allow empadronamiento

• Ask for proof of deposit payment (fianza)

• Never pay in cash without receipt

---

7. Common mistakes to avoid as a student in Spain

• Not registering your address or assuming it’s optional

• Missing the 30-day deadline to apply for your TIE

• Working more than 30 hours or without a contract

• Confusing “estancia” (stay) with “residencia” (residence): your student card is not a residence permit for nationality purposes

• Forgetting to renew your student permit on time

---

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can I arrive in Spain as a tourist and then apply for the student permit?
Only in specific cases. If you enter legally and meet the requirements, you may switch to a student stay from Spain. But if you already entered with a student visa from the consulate, you don’t need to do this.

2. How long do I have to apply for my TIE?
You must apply within 30 calendar days after entering Spain. If you miss the deadline, you could face penalties or be asked to justify the delay.

3. Can I change cities or address after arriving?
Yes, but you must register your new address (empadronamiento) and update your documentation if necessary.

4. Can I work more than 30 hours per week?
No. Exceeding this could cause problems when renewing your student permit or applying for future residence permits.

5. What happens if I abandon or fail my studies?
Your student authorization may be withdrawn, as your legal stay depends on being continuously enrolled and attending classes.

---

Do you need legal help or personalized guidance?

At Visal Immigration Lawyers, we help international students with everything: empadronamiento, TIE applications, appointment booking, documentation review and legal compliance.

If you want to avoid mistakes and stay fully legal in Spain:

Schedule your consultation with an expert lawyer here:
https://www.visalimmigration.com/en/consulting
 WhatsApp (text only): +34 618 702 253
 More info: www.visalimmigration.com