Cost of living in Spain for international students

Since many people are interested to know the cost of studying in Spain and living expenses in Spain, and many international students prefer to study at universities with lower tuition, we will introduce some affordable universities in Spain in this section. However, the cost of living in Spain for international students is generally cheaper and more affordable than in many European countries. The University of Jaen (UJA), the University of Uberta de Catalunya (UOC), the University of Lleida, and the University of Valencia are examples of these cost-effective universities.

Spanish universities generally have good quality, and the cost of studying in Spain at top universities is reasonable. Since the cost of living in Spain for international students and the living expenses in Spain are a concern for many international students, we will introduce the top 10 universities in Spain in this section for you to make a more accurate choice. The University of Valencia and the University of Barcelona are on the list:

The following table shows the tuition fees in Spain for international students in some fields:

The Spanish study system awards different scholarships. 27% of students studying in higher education institutions receive scholarships while studying. Because the Spanish political system is decentralized, scholarships for studying and living in Spain are granted at the national, regional, and local levels. On the other hand, Spain is not as generous in giving scholarships as other European countries. The requirement and needs are considered first in awarding scholarships, and the merit is placed in the next stage. Students’ grades must be above a certain level to receive scholarships and reduce the cost of studying and living expenses in Spain. Students must pay at least 15 to 25 percent of their tuition, depending on the circumstances in this strict scholarship program.

The following table shows examples of scholarships in Spain:

International students can work up to 20 hours a week while studying after entering this country. The students can work up to four hours a day with a special permit. It is not difficult to get this license, but students and companies prefer full-time work. For example, this license applies where the student wishes to work as a waiter to pay for one’s studies and living expenses in Spain. A full-time work permit that allows students to work full-time is only used in cases where the student does not attend classes. Therefore, students can work during the summer holidays, which provides some of the costs of living in Spain for international students. Research shows that the average part-time salary for students is 39,137 euros.

The cost of living in Spain for international students is especially critical when it comes to student accommodation. Most Spanish universities provide halls or apartments for student accommodation. Most apartment rentals vary greatly depending on the student’s chosen location, the offered facilities, and other factors. However, the housing cost is higher in Madrid and Barcelona. International students have several accommodation options in Spain:

1. Staying with Spanish families can be a rewarding experience for students to learn about Spanish culture.
2. Studio apartments, usually one-bedroom units with a small living room, bedroom, kitchen, and facilities such as a telephone, are often rented for 30 days to a year.
3. Living with a roommate, which usually reduces a person’s expenses
4. Apartments and houses in different parts of the city, which is often a more expensive option for students

The following tables show the cost of different types of student accommodation:

The cost of living in Spain for international students varies by region and city and is not the same in all parts of Spain. The living expenses, housing, and some other things are higher in Madrid and Barcelona. According to a survey conducted on the numbeo website, Barcelona ranks higher than Madrid, Valencia, Sevilla, and Malaga in the cost of living index. For the cost of living and rent index, the order of the mentioned cities is as follows: Barcelona, ​​Madrid, Valencia, Sevilla, and Malaga. The table below provides a comparison between the five major cities for living expenses in Spain.

The amount of income is in contrast to the cost of living and studying in Spain, and no doubt people want to know whether their income is enough to cover their living expenses in Spain and the cost of studying in Spain or not? In recent years, the minimum wage in Spain has grown by 22%, which is unprecedented. It has increased from 736 euros to 900 euros. Perhaps such a change is because of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s saying, “A rich country should not have poor workers.” Most Spanish employees are paid 14 times a year, estimated at a minimum wage of 12,600 euros last year.

The table below shows the annual income of five Spanish highest paid jobs: