Spain continues to face a nursing workforce gap compared with the European Union average. The latest Spain Country Health Profile reports that Spain had 5.9 nurses per 1,000 population in 2023, below the EU average of 8.5. However, Spain’s figure may be underestimated because nurse assistants and support roles are not included in the nurse count. The country also faces challenges related to workforce distribution and an aging health workforce.
Despite these challenges, Spain remains an attractive option for international students who want to pursue nursing education abroad. Public university tuition is relatively affordable compared with many other European destinations, and Spanish nursing degrees are part of the European Higher Education Area. Graduates who want to work outside Spain should check the recognition, registration, and language requirements of the country where they plan to practice.
What Degrees are there for Nursing in Spain?
Following Spain’s adaptation to the European Higher Education Area, nursing education is organized into bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels.
A bachelor’s degree in nursing, also known as Grado en Enfermería, is usually a four-year program that corresponds to 240 ECTS credits. The program combines theoretical coursework, clinical training, and a final degree project.
Upon successful completion of the degree, graduates qualify for the regulated nursing profession in Spain, subject to the applicable registration and employment requirements. They may also choose to continue their studies through a master’s or doctoral program.
Cost of Studying Nursing
The choice to study at a Spanish university is popular among international students because of the high-quality higher education available at comparatively affordable prices. At public universities in Spain, bachelor’s degree tuition commonly ranges from about €700 to €1,700 per year, although the final amount depends on the autonomous community, university, number of credits, and the student’s enrollment category. For example, the University of Granada lists the nursing degree tuition at approximately €757 per year.
The cost of living in Spain varies depending on the city and lifestyle. In general, international students living in Barcelona or Madrid may need about €1,000 to €1,200 per month for expenses such as accommodation, food, transportation, books, and personal costs. Students living in smaller or lower-cost cities such as Granada, Murcia, or Salamanca may spend closer to €700 to €900 per month.
Requirements to Study Nursing in Spain
To study nursing in Spain, students should be prepared to study in Spanish because it is the main language of instruction at most universities that offer this program. Some universities in Catalonia may also use Catalan, and some courses may include English-language components. For example, the University of Granada states that teaching at the undergraduate level is mainly in Spanish and highly recommends at least a B2 level of Spanish.
For students applying to nursing as their first undergraduate degree, applicants normally need a qualification that gives access to university studies in Spain. Students who completed their studies outside Spain may need to obtain recognition, accreditation, or homologation of their previous studies, depending on their education system and the admission route used by the university. In many cases, international applicants use UNEDasiss accreditation or the Spanish Ministry of Education’s homologation process.
Please check the admission requirements on the website of the school you are applying to in order to ensure a smooth application process.
Best Nursing Schools in Spain
1. University of Barcelona (UB)
The University of Barcelona is a public university located in the city of Barcelona. Established in 1450, this higher education institution is one of Spain’s major public universities. It offers one of the widest ranges of courses in Spain and is a national leader in university research. Recent UB figures report more than 1,400 active research projects and more than 7,700 scientific publications.
This nursing school in Spain provides a wide range of higher education courses. Students who wish to study nursing in Spain can apply to the university’s Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, where the EHEA bachelor’s degree in Nursing is offered. The recommended applicant profile includes competence in Catalan, Spanish, and another language, preferably English. Applicants should also have sufficient knowledge of biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Please refer to the school website for more information on the admission requirements.
2. University of Granada (UGR)
The next top nursing school in Spain is the University of Granada, a public university founded in 1531. It is one of the largest universities in Spain and has more than 57,000 students. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across several fields of study.
Applicants can generally apply to the university’s nursing program from June to September. The duration of the program is four years, and the program is taught in Spanish. Graduates of UGR’s nursing program may work in public hospitals, private clinics, community health services, nongovernmental organizations, the military, teaching, research, management, or consultancy, depending on their qualifications and professional registration.
3. University of Salamanca (USAL)
Founded in 1218, the University of Salamanca is the oldest university founded in Spain and one of the oldest universities in Europe. Each year, the University of Salamanca attracts students from across Spain and around the world. The university has campuses and centers in several locations, including Salamanca, Ávila, Zamora, Béjar, and Villamayor, and it has 26 faculties and schools, as well as research institutes and centers.
The nursing program at USAL is taught at the Faculty of Nursing and Physiotherapy and is also offered through affiliated nursing centers in Ávila and Zamora. The degree lasts four years and is worth 240 ECTS credits. Students complete clinical training through the university’s associated health care and clinical practice network.
4. University of Murcia (UMU)
The University of Murcia traces its origins to 1272, while the modern university was established in 1915. Today, UMU is a public university with five campuses and 21 faculties. It enrolls more than 30,000 students and offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs across a wide range of academic fields.
Students who wish to obtain their nursing degree from this nursing school in Spain can apply to the university’s Faculty of Nursing. The official Degree in Nursing is taught in person, in Spanish, and lasts four years for a total of 240 ECTS credits. Applicants can visit the official website to find information about admission requirements, available places, and tuition. You can also use the tuition calculator provided on the website to estimate the total cost, as fees may differ according to registration category.
5. University of Léon (ULE)
The final candidate in our list of best nursing schools in Spain is the University of León. Although earlier studies such as Veterinary Medicine date back to 1852, the university was officially created in 1979 after separating from the University of Oviedo. ULE has campuses in León and Ponferrada and offers programs in areas such as Arts and Humanities, Sciences, Health Sciences, Social and Legal Sciences, and Engineering and Architecture.
International students can apply for the nursing program at the Faculty of Health Sciences on the León campus or the Ponferrada campus. Both nursing programs are taught in person, in Spanish, and last four years for a total of 240 ECTS credits. Depending on nationality and educational background, applicants may need to meet different admission requirements. Students with foreign pre-university qualifications should check whether they need UNEDasiss accreditation, homologation, or another recognition process through the relevant Spanish authorities.
I hope that this article was helpful. If you are interested, visit the Open Courses in Europe Page for International Students.
