Studying in Europe for more than 90 days requires a Long-Stay National Visa (Type D) from the specific country — not a standard Schengen tourist visa. Each country has its own student visa process.
- University acceptance letter
- Proof of financial means (€600–800/month depending on country)
- Health insurance
- Passport valid 6+ months beyond study end date
- German: Blocked account (Sperrkonto) required — €11,208
Germany student visa (most popular in Europe)
Germany hosts 350,000+ international students. Requirements: university admission letter, proof of €11,208 in a German blocked account (Sperrkonto — open with Deutsche Bank, Fintiba, or Expatrio), health insurance, motivation letter, CV, and language proficiency. Apply at German embassy 4–6 months before semester start.
France student visa via Campus France
Mandatory pre-application via CampusFrance (campusfrance.org) for most non-EU applicants. Campus France interviews you about your study project, then issues a permit to proceed to the embassy for the visa application. French student visa fee: €99. Long-stay visas convert to residence permits via the OFII process after arrival.
Netherlands student visa via IND
Dutch student visas (MVV) are applied for by your university on your behalf via IND (Dutch Immigration). Your university’s International Office handles the application. You pay your own IND fee (€210). The university issues you an authorization letter once approved, then you travel.
Spain student visa (popular for Spanish language learners)
Apply at the Spanish Consulate with your student visa application form, university admission letter, bank statements showing €6,000–7,000 per year, criminal background check, and medical certificate. Processing: 1–3 months.
After arrival: register with local authorities
All European student visa holders must register with local authorities after arriving: Germany (Anmeldung at Bürgeramt), France (OFII registration for APS sticker), Netherlands (municipality registration), Spain (NIE registration at Foreigners Office).
Frequently Asked Questions
Most EU countries allow international students to work part-time: Germany (120 full days or 240 half days per year), France (964 hours per year ≈ 20 hours/week), Netherlands (16 hours/week during semester), Spain (up to 30 hours/week with work authorization).
Erasmus Mundus is one of the most competitive and prestigious scholarships globally — full funding (€1,400/month + travel + tuition) for 1–2 year joint master’s programs across multiple EU universities. Application competition is extremely high (2–5% acceptance rate). It is worth applying if you meet the academic requirements.