The New Immigration Regulation and Study Stays in Spain: Key Changes After the Entry into Force of Royal Decree 1155/2024
10 Febrero, 2026
On 20 May 2025, the new Spanish Immigration Regulation entered into force, approved through Royal Decree 1155/2024, which develops Organic Law 4/2000.
This new legal framework introduces significant changes to study stays, particularly regarding their duration, maintenance requirements and the transitional regime.
In recent weeks, our firm has received several resolutions from the Madrid Immigration Office that shed light on how the new Regulation is being applied in practice. Below, we share two real cases that clearly illustrate these changes.
University Study Stay: Authorisation Covering the Full Duration of the Degree
In the first case, the Immigration Office granted a study stay authorisation covering the full academic duration of a university programme.
The applicant was a student who had already completed one year of higher education in Spain and, after the new Regulation entered into force, submitted —through our firm— a request to update his status. The programme was an accredited four-year official university degree.
Applying the new Regulation, the Administration granted an authorisation from September 2025 until July 2029, confirming in practice one of the most important changes introduced by the new legal framework:
for higher education studies, annual renewals are no longer necessary if the official duration of the programme is properly accredited.
However, the resolution reminds the student that they must prove academic continuity each year by submitting the corresponding academic documentation. Failure to comply may result in the termination of the authorisation.
The resolution also notes that the authorisation allows the student to work as an employee or self-employed, as well as to participate in curricular and extracurricular internships, without any additional procedures, provided that the activity is compatible with their studies.
Transitional Regime: Exceptional Extension for Cases Initiated Under the Previous Regulation
In a second case, the Immigration Office examined the extension request of a minor who held a study stay granted under the previous Regulation.
The new Regulation introduces age limits for certain scenarios, creating uncertainty regarding the continuity of some study stays. However, the Administration applied the transitional regime established by the Ministry and granted a non-renewable, exceptional one-year extension.
Thanks to this interpretation, the student was able to complete the ongoing academic year and gained additional time to properly plan their future administrative situation, avoiding an unexpected irregular status.
Conclusion
Recent resolutions confirm that Royal Decree 1155/2024 is already being applied effectively, particularly in matters related to study stays.
From a practical standpoint, four key aspects stand out:
- Authorisations granted for the full duration of official university studies.
- Ongoing annual academic control requirements.
- Consolidation of the right to work and undertake internships without additional procedures.
- A reasonable and protective application of the transitional regime for situations initiated under the previous Regulation.
Each case still requires individualised assessment, especially in transitional legal scenarios.
If you are a student or a family member and wish to ensure that your administrative situation complies with the new Regulation, please do not hesitate to contact our firm for a personalised evaluation.
