Overview
- International students in full degree programs account for 5.2% of Spain’s university enrollment versus the EU‑27 average of 9.9%, placing Spain near the bottom of the bloc.
- More than 159,000 international students studied in Spain in 2023–24, with 60% enrolled for full degrees and 40% on temporary mobility, roughly double the total of eight years ago.
- Spain remains the EU’s top destination for mobility programs, receiving about 14% of Erasmus+ scholarships for students and staff.
- Private universities count roughly 21% international degree-seeking students compared with about 9% at public institutions, while public campuses host 81% of mobility students.
- University leaders and the study cite visa complexity, difficult credential recognition and opaque admissions as key barriers; a proposed non‑EU Selectividad exam is on hold after rector objections, and international students’ spending is estimated at about €6 billion per academic year.