How Much Does It Cost to Study in Spain? Tuition by Region and Housing
Fee figures: catalogue of 6 October 2026.
Spain prices its public universities per credit, and each of the autonomous regions sets its own price. The same degree can cost noticeably more in Madrid than in Andalusia. This guide explains how the bill is built and what to expect.
How public fees work
A standard academic year is 60 credits, and a bachelor's degree is usually 240 credits over four years. The regional government publishes a price per credit each year, often with different bands for different kinds of degree: laboratory-heavy subjects cost more than classroom ones.
For a full year, an EU student at a public university pays between €551 and €1,283 in our catalogue, with a typical figure of €875. The cheapest regions are Castile and León, Andalusia and Asturias. The most expensive are Navarre, Aragon and the Community of Madrid.
Two details change the real bill:
- Repeating costs more. The price per credit rises each time you re-enrol in a subject you failed.
- Passing can cost less. Andalusia, for example, gives a 99% discount on credits you passed at the first attempt the year before, which makes later years almost free for students who keep up.
What non-EU students pay
It depends on the region and on whether you are resident in Spain. Non-EU citizens who are residents generally pay the same price as Spaniards. For non-EU students without residence, several regions let universities add a surcharge, and some universities set their own price. In our catalogue the typical non-EU figure at public universities is €1,208 a year, and the highest is €8,186.
Because the rule is regional, check the fee on the page of the specific programme: we show the EU and the non-EU price separately wherever the region or the university has published one.
Private universities
Private universities set their own fees and do not distinguish between EU and non-EU students. In our catalogue a year costs between €5,100 and €20,400, with a typical figure of €15,800. Most English-taught programmes are at private universities, so the language of instruction and the price tend to go together.
Housing
Spanish universities run residence halls and colegios mayores, which usually include meals, and that is why their prices look high next to a room in a shared flat. For the 16 residences with a published price in our catalogue, the typical range is €545 to €624 a month. Most students rent a room in a shared flat instead; prices vary widely by city, and Madrid and Barcelona are the most expensive.
How to keep costs down
- Compare regions, not only universities. Fees and rents both vary across the country.
- Pass your credits the first time. A failed subject costs more to repeat.
- Ask about grants. The national grant system is open to EU citizens who meet residence conditions, and universities have their own aid.
Where to look next
Official sources
- Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities
- Fee decrees of each autonomous region, linked from the programme pages
Always check current information on the official website of the university before you apply.