If you want to study nursing in Spain, you usually start with a bachelor’s degree in nursing, then you can later continue with a master’s if you want a specialism or research path. Spain can be a good choice if you want a clear health degree, but you should check language, entry rules and costs carefully before you apply.
What nursing study looks like in Spain
The main first degree is the Grado en Enfermería, which is the usual route to become a nurse in Spain. After that, you may look at a master’s degree in a topic such as public health, emergency care, elderly care, clinical management or research.
- Bachelor’s degree: usually 4 years, full time.
- Master’s degree: usually 1 year, sometimes 1.5 to 2 years.
- Doctoral study: for research, not for basic nurse registration.
In Spain, nursing is a regulated health profession. If you want to work as a nurse after graduation, check the official rules from the Spanish ministry or the professional body for nurses, because recognition can depend on your nationality and your exact qualification.
Admission requirements
For a bachelor’s in nursing, universities usually ask for a secondary school diploma that gives access to higher education in your home country. If you already studied at university, some schools may still ask for your school leaving qualification as part of the process.
Typical requirements are:
- Secondary school diploma or equivalent.
- Academic transcript with grades.
- Passport or national ID.
- Proof of language level.
- Sometimes an entrance exam, interview or ranking based on grades.
For non-EU students, you may also need your documents recognised or converted for Spanish admission. The exact step depends on the university and your country. Always check the university admissions page and, when needed, the Spanish ministry or consulate guidance.
For a master’s degree, universities usually ask for a related bachelor’s degree, such as nursing, medicine, public health or another health field. Some master’s programmes are open only to students with a nursing degree.
Language: Spanish or English?
Most nursing degrees in Spain are taught in Spanish or in a mix of Spanish and the local regional language. This is important because clinical placements are often in hospitals or care settings where Spanish is needed.
Some universities offer parts of the programme in English, or a few modules in English, but fully English-taught nursing bachelor’s degrees are less common. If you find one, check very carefully whether the clinical practice is also possible in English. In many cases, it is not.
What to do:
- Check the programme page for the teaching language.
- Ask if hospital placements require Spanish level B1, B2 or higher.
- See whether the university accepts IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge, DELE or another proof.
- Do not assume that an English page means the whole degree is in English.
If you want the safest path, plan to learn Spanish before you start or while you prepare your application.
Tuition and living costs
Fees in Spain vary a lot by university type, region and whether you are an EU or non-EU student. Public universities are usually cheaper than private ones. For health degrees, total tuition can still be significant, especially at private universities.
Typical yearly tuition ranges are often around:
- Public universities: roughly 700 to 2,500 euros per year for EU students, but it can vary by region and credits.
- Public universities for non-EU students: sometimes similar, sometimes higher depending on the region and university rules.
- Private universities: often about 5,000 to 15,000 euros per year, and sometimes more for health programmes.
Living costs depend on the city. Bigger cities such as Madrid, Barcelona or Valencia are usually more expensive than smaller university towns. As a rough guide, many students budget about 700 to 1,200 euros per month for housing, food, transport, phone and daily needs, but your real cost can be lower or higher.
Also check extra costs:
- Application or enrolment fees.
- Health insurance, especially for non-EU students.
- Residence permit costs if you need one.
- Books, uniforms or lab and placement materials.
Timeline and documents
Start early. Many students begin planning 6 to 12 months before the first semester. Some universities close applications earlier for non-EU students because of visa and document time.
A simple timeline is:
- 6 to 12 months before - check programmes, language and recognition rules.
- 4 to 8 months before - prepare transcripts, diploma, passport and language proof.
- 3 to 6 months before - apply to universities and wait for admission results.
- After acceptance - start visa and residence steps if needed.
Common documents include:
- Passport.
- School diploma or bachelor’s degree.
- Official transcripts.
- Language certificate.
- Motivation letter, if requested.
- CV for master’s applications.
If you need a student visa, check the official Spanish immigration authority or the Spanish consulate in your country. Do not rely on old blog posts, because visa rules and document lists can change.
How universities choose candidates
Universities do not all use the same method. Some rank applicants mainly by grades. Others may also consider the subject match, language level, an interview or extra documents. For public universities, places can be limited, so the competition can be strong.
To improve your chances, make your application clear and complete:
- Show strong grades in biology, chemistry, maths or related subjects if you have them.
- Meet the language requirement early.
- Explain why you want nursing, not just why you want to study in Spain.
- Send clean, translated and certified documents if the university asks for them.
For master’s degrees, your profile matters more. Universities may want your academic record, practical experience, area of interest and fit with the programme.
Common questions
Can I study nursing in Spain in English only?
Sometimes you can find partial English options, but fully English-taught nursing bachelor’s degrees are uncommon. Always check whether hospital practice is in Spanish, because that is often the real limit.
Do I need Spanish before I apply?
Not always for the application, but usually yes for the actual studies and placements. Many students apply with basic Spanish and then continue learning before classes start. Check the programme page for the required level.
Can I work as a nurse after graduation?
Possibly, but you must follow the professional registration and work rules for your case. Check the Spanish health profession authorities, the regional health system and, if you are from outside the EU, the immigration rules too.
How Eduuro helps
Create a free profile with your field, education, English level and documents, and admissions offices that search for exactly that can find you and write first.
This can save time if you are comparing nursing programmes in Spain and want universities to contact you directly.
Rules, fees and deadlines change. Check the university's own admissions page and the official immigration site of the country before you act on anything here.