86% of our Master's students come from abroad.
Many are living abroad for the first time. All international students receive personalized support from BSE staff throughout the relocation process.
Many are living abroad for the first time. All international students receive personalized support from BSE staff throughout the relocation process.
This page provides a brief overview of the most common topics international students ask us about before arriving in Barcelona and during their first days here. Admitted students will receive detailed information and individual support from BSE staff throughout the process of moving to Barcelona.
We strongly advise international students (non-EU) to apply as early as possible and allow themselves time enough to arrange relocation issues such as visas and accommodations.
Jump to any of these topics: Before you travel When you arrive Accommodation and flatmates Bank accounts and mobile phones
A bit of planning at home will ensure a smooth start for you here in Barcelona. Before you arrive in Barcelona, you should make sure you have the proper student visa and adequate medical insurance (required for your visa application). Depending on where you obtained your previous degree(s), you may need to take some steps to have them legalized and/or translated.
Citizens of the EU, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland do not need visas. Students of all other nationalities will need a student visa from the Spanish consulate in their country. You must apply for a long-term student visa and request multiple entries. A tourist visa is only valid for 90 days, and does not allow you to study in Spain.
As specific requirements vary widely, please contact the Spanish Consulate in your country directly to learn more about the visa process for your situation. For the address and phone number of the Spanish consulate in your country, visit the website of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In many countries you must make an appointment in person to both submit and pick up your paperwork. The BSE cannot make any visa inquiries on your behalf.
Do not assume that you will be able to obtain a student visa from a Spanish Embassy or Consulate outside your home country. If you enter Spain on a 90-day tourist visa, you cannot apply for your student resident permit to extend your stay, and you will be required to return to your home country to apply for the student visa.
The visa process takes at least six weeks, so we advise you to apply as soon as you receive your admission documents, even up to three months in advance. Visa applications are usually not accepted less than four weeks before departure.
Spouses or family members of BSE students should also apply for a family reunification visa if they wish to reside in Barcelona with the student. According to the 2011 Spanish immigration law revision, family members and spouses accompanying the student can apply for their entry visas at the same time as the student applies for their student visa.
In order to apply for a student visa, you must present the following documents. All documents must be originals.
While the BSE does not provide general medical care, students under 28 are covered by a compulsory student insurance that covers accidents on campus. Students over the age of 28 must get some other form of public or private insurance. (More info on the Spanish government's website)
If you are a European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) citizen and entitled to coverage under the health care system of your country, you must obtain the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) prior to your arrival in Spain. If you need medical assistance, you usually must pay for the cost up front and claim a refund later.
Please note that the EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance, since it covers neither accidents nor extra costs such as repatriation expenses to your home country. So although urgent serious medical problems can be handled at public hospitals, we strongly recommend having a private health insurance in order to get the best medical assistance in general. In many cases this will also be required when applying for your residence permit in Spain.
As a requirement for your student visa application, you must obtain private medical insurance for the duration of your stay covering medical care, hospital assistance, and repatriation expenses. If you require medical assistance while in Barcelona, simply call your insurance company and they will advise you where to receive to medical assistance. Don't forget to carry your medical insurance card when you travel.
The BSE recommends that you either contract your own insurance or contact one of the following companies to discuss comprehensive plans:
Before you arrive in Barcelona, both your grade transcripts and your final diploma of your undergraduate degree must be legalized, depending on where your undergraduate degree was issued. You will need to bring these documents with you to our course registration in September, before the academic year begins.
If you obtained your undergraduate degree from a European Union (EU) Member State, the European Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) or Switzerland, your diploma and grade transcripts only need to bear the official stamp of your university.
If you obtained your undergraduate degree from other countries, your documents must bear a Hague Apostille or other means of diplomatic legalization.
You can check if the issuing country of your undergraduate degree is part of the Hague Apostilled Convention here.
Documents authenticated by means of diplomatic legalization (in the case of countries that are not signatories to the Hague Convention) must ALWAYS bear the stamp of your local Spanish embassy or consulate.
The authentication process must be carried out in the country in which your certificates were issued. It cannot be done in Barcelona.
Documents will only be accepted in one of the following languages: Catalan, English, French, Italian, Portuguese or Spanish. Documents in any other language must be accompanied by a sworn translation signed and stamped by either:
We make every effort to keep this information up to date. Please don't hesitate to contact the BSE Admissions Office with any questions you have about these topics or other concerns you have about your preparations.
As soon as you have a home address, you will need to request two documents: the Certificate of Residency ("Padró") and the Foreigner Identification Number ("NIE"). Instructions for obtaining these required documents are provided below (based on the latest available information from administrative offices). BSE staff is happy to answer any questions and to assist you throughout the process.
Once you have a home address, you will need to visit your district's Citizens Services Office (Oficina d'Antenció al Ciutadà - OAC) to request a Certificate of Residency (certificat d'empadronament, or “el Padró”).
The Certificate of Residency is a requirement for everyone living in Spain. Each time you change your address you will need to register in the Citizens Services Office in your new neighborhood. The "Padró" is required for all other documents you will need to obtain in order to live and study in Barcelona. The most important of these documents is your student resident permit (NIE/TIE). Without the certificate of residency you will not be able to file for your student resident permit.
The procedure is fairly quick, and it is free of charge. Be sure to request extra copies of your certificate, as you will need to supply these for various other permit and contractual procedures.
Documents you will need:
If your name is not on the contract, you must provide a signed authorization from your landlord and a signed copy of the landlord's ID. Alternately, you may ask a flatmate whose name is on the contract to accompany you together with their own ID, NIE, “Padró”, and rental contract.
All foreign students are required to apply for the Foreigner Identification Number (Número de Identificación Extranjero or "NIE").
Deadlines and document types depend on your citizenship:
EU citizens
Non-EU citizens
If you reside in Barcelona, you must request an appointment via the on-line reservation system here. The page is only available in Spanish, so please let us know in the Admissions Office if you need help navigating the system. We'll be happy to assist you with the process.
If you live outside Barcelona, contact the city hall of the town where you reside and they will provide instructions for obtaining the NIE/TIE in your area.
Don't forget to register with your country's embassy or consulate in Barcelona upon arrival. This is very important so that you can get help in case of an emergency.
Download a list of consulates in Barcelona
Barcelona is a metropolitan area with several types of accommodation available including student residence halls, apartment rentals, and room shares with other BSE students. Our team can offer guidance to help you choose an option that fits your budget and preferences.
New students often choose to live together or to live with BSE alumni who stay in the city after graduation. Many alumni announce available rooms in their apartments in the BSE Facebook group. In addition to connecting you with potential roommates, the group serves as a great resource for discovering more about student life and learning about on- and off-campus events.
Remember that the BSE has two campuses, so please check where the majority of the lectures in your program will take place before beginning your search for accommodation.
Here are some tips we can provide based on our experience helping international students relocate to Barcelona during recent years.
You can either open a bank account in Barcelona, or work with your bank at home through banking or credit cards. ATM cash points are common and available at most banking locations. Before you arrive in Barcelona, check with your home bank to make sure you can use your card in Spain and under what conditions. Some ATMs, for example, do not accept PINs of more than 4 digits.
How to open a Spanish bank account
BSE has agreements with some local banks where it is easier to open a bank account. Admitted students will get more information about this and other relocation issues before arriving in Barcelona.
If you will need to use a Spanish bank, it is not difficult to open a new account with one of the many banks or savings banks ("cajas/caixes") in Barcelona. Be sure to always bring your passport and NIE papers with you when visiting bank offices.
Most general bank accounts to do not accrue interest, and annual maintenance fees may be applied but should not be exorbitant. Be sure to understand the conditions of your account and do not accept suspicious insurance plans. Students might want to ask about “Youth” or “Student” accounts, which can sometimes offer additional benefits or services.
Please note that it can take up to 7-10 days for new bank accounts (including on-line banking) to fully come into service.
Also, please note that non-resident bank accounts usually charge higher annual fees than resident accounts. Therefore, if you do not have a student resident card (NIE/TIE) number when opening your account, it is advised that as soon as you obtain your residency number that you change your account to resident status.
If you are required to obtain a student visa before arrival in Barcelona, your NIE/TIE number will be printed on the visa and you can use this to open a resident status bank account, even without the physical residency card.
Ciutadella Campus:
Bellaterra Campus:
Calling and data charges may add up fast if you are roaming while using a service plan from outside of Spain. Be sure to contact your current provider before departing for Barcelona to verify the status of your contract and discuss your options. Some providers may offer to suspended your services while you are abroad, or may be able to issue you with a Spanish phone number.
Most mobile service contracts in Spain last for two years. Therefore, consider searching for month-by-month or pre-paid plans, which are more flexible and usually include calls, text messaging, and even reasonable amounts of 4G data service.
If there is any other topic you would like us to cover here, please let us know!
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