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8 countries · shared rules

Studying in Europe — Schengen countries

Short courses of up to 90 days use one Schengen visa. Longer study needs a national visa from the country you study in — each country’s route is below.

Short-stay Schengen visa

C

389SAR ·EUR 90

Length of stay
Up to 90 days in any 180 days
Validity
Depends on nationality — see the next section
Study on it
Language courses and programs up to 90 days
Work
Not allowed
When to apply
Up to 6 months before travel, and at least 15 days before
Where to apply
The visa centre of the country where you’ll study or stay longest

National study visa

D

For study of more than 90 days. Issued by the country you study in under its own rules and fees, and lets you travel across the other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in 180.

  • Final admission From an accredited university or school
  • Proof of funds Or a financial guarantee from the attaché
  • Health insurance Covering your study period
  • Residence registration After arrival, under the country’s rules
  • Valid passport

The EU Entry/Exit System (EES): your fingerprints and photo are recorded on first entry instead of a passport stamp — allow extra time at the airport.

The short visa by nationality

  • Saudi Arabia · Bahrain · Oman

    A visa is required, and may be issued as multiple-entry for up to 5 years from your first application.

  • UAE

    Exempt from the short visa for up to 90 days — longer study needs a national visa.

  • Kuwait · Qatar

    A visa is currently required — an exemption is under EU review.

  • Residents of Saudi Arabia

    Depends on your passport, and you apply from Saudi Arabia with a valid residence permit.

19 October 2026: the EU backs the exemption track for Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar — we’ll update this page as soon as a decision is issued.

The long-stay visa in each country

How to apply for study of more than 90 days. An advisor has each country’s fee until it’s confirmed from the official source.

  • FR

    France

    Register on Études en France through Campus France, then a long-stay VLS-TS student visa.

    Fees: From your advisor

  • DE

    Germany

    A national visa through the German Foreign Office portal, with a blocked bank account or a financial guarantee.

    Fees: EUR 75 ≈ SAR 324

  • ES

    Spain

    A national study visa through a BLS centre in Saudi Arabia.

    Fees: From your advisor

  • IT

    Italy

    Pre-enrol on Universitaly, then a D study visa.

    Fees: From your advisor

  • NL

    Netherlands

    The university applies for your MVV and residence permit with the IND.

    Fees: From your advisor

  • SE

    Sweden

    A study residence permit online through Migrationsverket.

    Fees: From your advisor

  • CH

    Switzerland

    A D visa and a cantonal residence permit — in Schengen but not in the EU.

    Fees: From your advisor

  • MT

    Malta

    A D study visa through the immigration agency Identità.

    Fees: From your advisor

IEIreland isn’t in Schengen — it has its own visa and a full page.

Ireland page

Short-stay Schengen visa documents

  • Application form

    Completed and signed

  • Passport

    Valid 3 months after departure and issued within 10 years

  • Passport photo

    To Schengen specifications

  • Travel insurance

    Cover of at least EUR 30,000

  • Flight and accommodation booking

    A provisional booking is enough

  • Bank statement

    Or a financial guarantee for sponsored students

  • Offer letter

    If the visit is for a course

Frequently asked questions

Is a Schengen visa enough to study?

It covers language courses and programs of up to 90 days. Longer study needs a national visa from the country you study in.

Do I need a visa for each country?

No. One short visa covers travel across the Schengen countries, and you apply through the country where you’ll study or spend the longest time.

Are GCC citizens exempt from the Schengen visa?

UAE citizens are exempt from the short visa. Saudi, Bahraini and Omani citizens need it and may get multiple entry; Kuwaiti and Qatari citizens currently need it while an exemption is under EU review.

I live in Saudi Arabia — where do I apply?

You apply from Saudi Arabia with a valid residence permit, through the visa centre of the country where you’ll study or spend the longest time. Requirements depend on your passport.

Fees and conditions are a guide and subject to change · Last reviewed: 3 November 2026 · SAR amounts are approximate (EUR = 4.32 SAR).