May 2025 reform — RD 1155/2024
One national framework applies at every Spanish consulate, including Tunis. Under RD 1155/2024 (in force 20 May 2025): your passport must be valid for at least 1 year from the application date; your acceptance letter must confirm tuition has been paid in full at an authorised (Instituto Cervantes / SIELE / SACIC-accredited) school; you must show funds of 100% of IPREM — €600.00/month (€7,200/year); and health cover must come from a DGSFP-authorised Spanish insurer. The Extranjería office decides the stay authorisation within 30 days, and the Embassy issues the visa within 1 month of a favourable decision.
Jurisdiction — the Tunis Embassy
Spain maintains a single diplomatic post in Tunisia. The Embassy in Tunis is the only place to file a long-stay student visa if you are resident in Tunisia.
| Covers | All of Tunisia |
| Other posts | None — there is no separate Spanish consulate general in Tunisia |
| Libya note | The Embassy has historically also served Libya on a temporary basis; confirm current arrangements if you are resident in Libya |
How to book your appointment
National (long-stay) student visas and short-stay Schengen visas use different channels in Tunis:
1
National student visa — email the Embassy
Request your appointment by email to emb.tunez.cit@maec.es. For any visa lasting more than 90 days, BLS directs applicants to email the Embassy at emb.tunez@maec.es.
2
Schengen (short-stay) visa — BLS International
Short-stay visas are handled through BLS International at blsspainvisa.com. This is not the channel for a long-stay study visa.
- Use the national-visa email channel for a study visa over 90 days — do not book a Schengen slot via BLS by mistake
- Keep your full document list ready before you email, so the Embassy can allocate an appointment quickly
- Apply early — peak season (May–August) fills appointment slots weeks ahead
Document checklist (long-stay study)
For language courses, university degrees, master's programmes and other full-time study lasting more than 90 days. This list follows the national RD 1155/2024 framework. Confirm the exact Tunis-specific list with the Embassy before filing (see the note below).
1
National visa application form
Completed and signed.
2
Passport photograph
One recent biometric photo, white background.
3
Valid passport
Original + photocopy of the biographical page. Must be valid for at least 1 year from the application date (RD 1155/2024).
4
School acceptance letter + proof of paid tuition
From an authorised centre (Instituto Cervantes / SIELE / SACIC-accredited for Spanish-language study). Must confirm admission and that tuition has been paid in full — a letter confirming admission or a deposit only is not sufficient (RD 1155/2024).
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5
Proof of financial means
Funds of 100% of IPREM — €600.00 per month (€7,200/year) for the duration of your stay.
6
Spanish health insurance
Full cover from a DGSFP-authorised Spanish insurer, minimum €30,000, with no copayments and no waiting periods. Standard travel or Schengen health policies are not accepted.
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7
Criminal record certificate Stays over 180 days
The Tunisian Bulletin n°3 (B3), issued through the Ministry of the Interior / Justice (delivered by Rapid-Poste), covering countries you have lived in over the past 5 years. Must be apostilled by a Tunisian notary + sworn Spanish translation, and not older than 3 months at submission.
8
Medical certificate Stays over 180 days
Must state the applicant does not suffer from any disease that could have serious public-health repercussions per the 2005 International Health Regulations. Requires Apostille (Tunisian notary) + sworn Spanish translation, and must be not older than 3 months.
Confirm the Tunis-specific list before filing. It is not confirmed whether the Tunis Embassy publishes a dedicated, reform-updated study-visa checklist. The national RD 1155/2024 framework above applies, but you should check the exact document list — including any local requirements, number of copies and fee — directly with the Embassy before you file.
Apostille + sworn translation — the correct sequence
Tunisia has been a Hague Apostille country since the Convention entered into force for it on 30 March 2018. Since 1 March 2019, the Apostille is issued by Tunisian notaries — the sole competent authority. For the criminal record and medical certificate, follow this exact sequence:
1
Obtain the original document
Criminal record: the Bulletin n°3 (B3) via the Ministry of the Interior / Justice, delivered by Rapid-Poste. Medical certificate: from a hospital.
2
Get the Apostille from a Tunisian notary
Take the original to a Tunisian notary — since 1 March 2019 the notary is the only authority that can issue the Apostille in Tunisia.
3
Sworn Spanish translation
Have the apostilled document translated into Spanish by a sworn (jurado) translator.
4
Submit
Original + Apostille + Spanish translation, plus photocopies. Both the document and its Apostille should be not older than 3 months at submission.
Frequently asked questions
Do I apply to a consulate or the Embassy in Tunisia? +
There is a single Spanish diplomatic post in Tunisia — the Embassy in Tunis — and it covers all of Tunisia. There is no separate consulate general to choose between.
How do I book the appointment for a study visa? +
National (long-stay) student visa appointments are requested by email to emb.tunez.cit@maec.es. For any visa over 90 days, BLS directs applicants to email the Embassy at emb.tunez@maec.es. BLS International (blsspainvisa.com) handles only short-stay Schengen visas.
Who issues the Apostille on my documents? +
In Tunisia the Apostille is issued by a Tunisian notary — the sole competent authority since 1 March 2019. After apostilling, each document needs a sworn Spanish translation.
Which criminal record certificate do I need? +
The Tunisian Bulletin n°3 (B3), issued through the Ministry of the Interior / Justice and delivered by Rapid-Poste. It is required for stays over 180 days, must be apostilled by a Tunisian notary and sworn-translated into Spanish, and must not be older than 3 months.
Is there an official Tunis study-visa checklist I can rely on? +
The national RD 1155/2024 requirements apply in Tunis. It is not confirmed whether the Embassy publishes a dedicated, reform-updated study-visa checklist, so confirm the exact document list, number of copies and fee directly with the Embassy before you file.
How much is the visa and how long does it take? +
The student-visa fee is the equivalent of €80, paid in local currency. Once the Extranjería office in Spain issues a favourable stay authorisation (decided within 30 days), the Embassy issues the visa within 1 month. Apply well ahead of your course start date to allow for the Apostille and sworn-translation steps.