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Students

Individuals from a third country who have been admitted to a higher education institution to follow a full-time course of studies in an EU country

For detailed information on a specific EU country, select the migration profile ‘student’ and your destination on this map.

What conditions must I fulfil to be admitted to an EU country as a student?

  • You must have been accepted by a higher education institution to follow a full-time course of studies leading to a higher education qualification, such as a diploma, certificate or doctoral degree,
  • You must have enough financial resources to cover your living and study costs for your stay, as well as your return travel costs.

Depending on the country where you wish to study, you may also have to prove:

  • That you have knowledge of the language of the study programme,
  • That you have paid the fees charged by the higher education institution.

What documents must I present to apply for a residence permit or long-stay visa?

You must present evidence that you fulfil the conditions above. You must also present the following documents to the authorities in the country where you plan to study:

  • a valid travel document,
  • parental authorisation, if you are not legally an adult under the national law of the host country – in most EU countries this means that you need proof of your parents’ agreement if you are younger than 18,
  • health insurance,
  • proof that you have paid an application fee for the residence permit/visa, if that is requested by the relevant EU country.

For more details, please check the page related to students of each Member State.

I meet these conditions and have the necessary documents. What happens next?

You need to apply for a residence permit/long-stay visa to the competent national authorities. The immigration services of the host EU country will decide on your application as soon as possible, and within a maximum of 90 days.

For how long is my residence permit/visa valid?

  • For studies that last longer than a year, you will be issued with a residence permit valid for at least one year. Your residence permit will be valid for at least two years if you are covered by a Union or multilateral programme that comprises mobility measures or an agreement between higher education institutions. Your residence permit is renewable as long as you continue to meet the necessary conditions. Your long-stay visa will be valid for one year maximum; if your stay is longer (e.g. because you are covered by such programme/agreement), you will have to apply for a residence permit before the expiry of the visa.
  • You may have to pay a renewal fee.
  • If the period of study is less than one year, your residence permit will cover the study period.
  • Applications for residence permits/visas must be made to the national authorities of the country where you wish to study.

Under what circumstances could I have my application refused or my residence permit/visa withdrawn or not renewed?

Your application for a permit/visa may be refused or your permit/visa be withdrawn or not renewed under certain circumstances, for example if:

  • you do not/no longer meet the admission conditions,
  • you do not respect the conditions related to working,
  • you do not make acceptable progress with your studies,
  • your application was based on falsified documents,
  • you represent a threat to public policy, public security or public health.

Each EU country may apply different grounds to reject your application or withdraw or not renew your permit/visa. Please check the page related to students of the Member State concerned.

If anything like this happens, the competent national authorities will inform you of a decision to refuse to issue or withdraw your permit/visa.

May I argue against a decision to refuse my application or withdraw my residence permit/visa?

Yes, you have the right to legally challenge such a decision with the relevant national authorities.

May I work during my studies?

  • Yes, you are allowed to work in parallel to your studies. Each EU country can set its own limit on the maximum amount of hours you can work but must allow a minimum amount of 15 hours per week.
  • You or your employer might have to inform the relevant national authorities that you are working.

Will I get similar treatment as citizens of the host EU country?

You will benefit from similar treatment with citizens of the host EU country as regards:

  • working conditions,
  • freedom of association,
  • education and vocational training,
  • recognition of diplomas and qualifications,
  • tax benefits,
  • advice services provided by employment services,
  • certain branches of social security, and
  • access to and supply of public goods and services (e.g. transport, museums etc.).

Depending on the EU country you reside in, there may be some restrictions.

I have been admitted as a student to an EU country. Can I continue my studies in another EU country?

  • Yes, If you are covered by an EU programme or a bilateral agreement between universities, you can study in another EU country on the basis of your residence permit/visa issued in the first country, if you fulfil the relevant conditions. Depending on the EU country concerned, you may have to send some documents to the authorities before being allowed to go there.
  • Yes, If you are not covered by such a programme or agreement, you can apply for a new residence permit in a different EU country following the same procedure as in the first country.

Can I stay in the EU after having completed my studies?

Yes, after having completed your studies, you are allowed to stay in the EU country where you were a student for at least nine months in order to look for a job or set up a business. You need however to apply for a residence permit for this purpose and fulfil the relevant requirements.

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