Cost of Living in Spain for International Students

One of the top factors to consider when planning your studies abroad in Spain is the cost of living. Being a full-time student is always challenging, but add the stress of being in a foreign country and it can get overwhelming. Speaking of challenges, having to specifically think about the financial aspect of studying abroad is not fun at all. 

Both low tuition fees and affordable living expenses greatly influence students' choice of where to study, with Spain being at the top of the list. Spain’s affordability compared to other European countries and the United States, make it an attractive destination for international students. 

However, you should know that not all cities in Spain are the same, and sometimes you may need to live just a little outside the city to find lower rent. Popular destinations like Milan and Barcelona can be expensive to study in, however this all depends on your goals, and the lifestyle you can afford. Therefore, we recommend doing a lot of research on the housing options, food and shopping, transport and other essential living expenses. 

It is expected that you as a student are looking for the most affordable options when studying abroad. Removing any financial burden ensures that you can completely focus on your studies without the pressure of financial stress. 

Continue reading for a thorough overview on the living costs as a student in Spain:

Breakdown of Student Living Costs

It is an understatement to say that you might be overwhelmed with the idea of managing your finances above everything else that comes with studying abroad. There is a lot to think about, from finding accommodation that fits your budget to calculating your daily costs as an international student. 

Here are the essential expenses as an international student, along with the average budget in comparison with other countries:

Everyday Expenses

A typical student studying abroad in Spain spends an average of €900 to €1,500 on general living costs including rent, utilities, food, leisure, transport, bills, academic materials, travel, health insurance, phone plans, and personal expenses like shopping or entertainment. This average does not include tuition fees. 

Compared to other European study-abroad destinations, Spain is on the more affordable side, though its overall cost stays around the European average. Students typically spend at least €10,000 per year, which is the minimum budget for most studying in Europe. 

However, if we add the tuition fees, Spain remains one of the most affordable options, with costs ranging from €750 to €2,000 per semester. In comparison, most European countries have tuition fees starting at €1,000 or higher, except for Italy, which is slightly more expensive but still close to Spain’s range (€900 and €4,000 per year).

On the other hand, the overall cost for students studying abroad in the United States is significantly higher than in Europe. The average living cost for students in the US ranges from $1,500 to $2,000 (€1,390-€1,850) per month for general expenses, excluding tuition fees.

Here is an average monthly living costs for students in Spain in some of the most popular cities:

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Food and Grocery Shopping

This is both the most fun and the essential aspect to consider and research before studying abroad in Spain. Lucky for you , Spain is home to one of the best cuisines in Europe—and even the world. Surprisingly, the food is not only delicious but also very affordable. 

As a student you might not want to and have time to cook all the time, so you will enjoy the low prices of eating out whenever you can, with an average meal costing between 10€ and 15€. 

On the other hand, grocery shopping is often a cheaper and more practical choice. Here is a list of the basic food items you will likely buy:

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On average, a student in Spain will spend around €150 – €500 per month in grocery shopping whereas in the US the typical student will spend around $272 – $429 (€252-€400) a month in groceries. Compared to other popular study abroad cities in Europe, grocery costs for students in Germany range from €150 to €250, while in France, they average around €300.

Transportation 

Public transportation in Spain is among the cheapest in Europe, with a one-way trip costing just €1.50, regardless of the transport type. It’s the most popular way for students to get around.

It is recommended for international students to get a monthly or yearly pass so it is cheaper than buying a ticket every time, especially if you are going back and forth from your university to your apartment. The monthly public transport ticket costs €40 and a taxi costs €0.11 (per km).

The good news is that Spain offers the Youth Travel Card for students, providing continuous discounts. With this card you already benefit from a 30% general discount, and there is a 20% additional discount for single tickets in larger areas. Plus, students from large families may be eligible for a complete waiver of public transport fees, but it's best to check with the relevant local transport authorities for details.

Here is a list of monthly transport cards in the US and other European countries:

• Germany: €80 - €90.
• Italy: €25 - €45.
• France: €80.
• United States: $42 to $366 (€39 - €340).

Leisure & Entertainment

If you are an outgoing person who loves to go out and enjoy a good weekend adventure, Spain is THE place for that. Finding fun things to do is one of the easiest things you will have to do as a student in the country. Even if you consider yourself introverted, Spain has something for you too. From a large number of museums and zoos to flea markets,cinemas, shopping and great nightlife, all of these activities are affordable choices for students. 

Depending on how much you go out, the average amount of money you can spend on entertainment is around 50 to 100 EUR per month. You can see a movie in Spain for only 5€, lower than in the US (12$-20$/ 11€-18€). 

Nightlife is another topic of comparison, you can get a drink in Spain for anywhere between 2 and 6 EUR, a bargain compared with the US where you get charged 12$ (11€) for the cheapest drink. 

Student Accommodation: Costs, Types & Tips

Finding housing and accommodation should be on top of your checklist for planning your future studies in Spain. This aspect of studying in Spain should be figured out way before you actually start to pack your bags. There are plenty of housing options for students in Spain, but make sure you start the search as early as possible so you have time to make a list of the best choices for you.

Types of Student Accommodation

The types of student accommodation available in Spain depends on the city and location, which is also a factor for pricing. Most universities in Spain offer student accommodation upon admission and residence halls have shown to be the cheapest options for international students. 

Here are the types of housing you can consider according to your budget and lifestyle choices:

1. Residence Halls

Residence halls are the most popular choice among foreign students who are studying in Spain. They are also the cheapest option with the price ranging from €365 - €660 per month. 

2. Shared Apartments

Getting a room in a shared apartment with other roommates will depend on the city you are studying in, proximity to the city center and university campus. With that being said the price range for a room in a shared apartment is around €500-€900. 

This could however be the most difficult option for students since you have to find the apartment by yourself which takes more time and they fill up quickly so you need to be efficient and early. Online websites are your best friend if you wish to go with this option.

3. Studio Apartment

Many students settle on a studio apartment rental, especially international students who are not very familiar with the housing situation and the surroundings. With a studio apartment you get everything you need in a small space, however you get the luxury of privacy, which not many students are lucky to experience. 

You can rent a studio apartment for up to a year with a price range of €650-€1,500 per month, with higher prices in most popular cities such as Madrid and Barcelona.

4. University Dormitories

The majority of universities in Spain offer in campus and off campus dorms for students. With this option you will probably have more luck to find something quick and safe, since they have a lot of availability. 

Another advantage of living in a dorm is the affordability and not having to think about bills, utilities and other responsibilities that come with renting an apartment. 

Cost of student dormitories: €300 - €700 per month.

5. Host Families

Another very affordable option for international students is staying with host families. Not only will it save you a lot of money but you will also be able to experience the authentic lifestyle and soak up the Spanish culture. 

The cost of staying with a host family ranges from €30-€40 per night depending on the host family and what the stay offers.

How Does the Cost of Student Housing in Spain Compare 

Compared to other European countries, housing in Spain is considered among the cheaper side of the coin, which is similar to Germany where student dormitories can cost from €200-€400 per month. Renting an apartment in Germany is similar in cost to Spain, with private apartment rents ranging from €500 to €1,200.  

France also offers affordable student housing for students with a room in a shared apartment costing around €400 per month. The United States however begs to differ, with the cost of student housing being as expensive as $3,000 to $10,000 (€2,770 - (€9,260) per academic year for on-campus dorms, which is not the cheapest option. 

However you can choose to stay in off-campus locations with a much lower cost ranging from $1,200 to $2,500 per month (€1,100-€2,300).

Additional Expenses  

Last but not least, you should know how much you will have to pay for bills, utilities and extra unexpected fees. For starters, an average person In Spain pays around 110€ in utility bills per month, which usually includes electricity, heating, internet, water bill, telephone and other bills that might come with renting an apartment. 

However this still depends on where in Spain you are living and which area, since they may differ drastically from place to place. 

Here is an overview of utility costs in Spain based on the most popular cities:

Although cheaper, the average monthly utility cost in Spain is similar to Germany where typically they pay €150 minimum for utility bills. In Italy, monthly utility costs range from €110 to €200. 

In the U.S., however, utility bills are typically paid separately, with the total cost ranging from $195 to $450 (€180-€450) per month.