HomeSport & study in Spain
Spain
Sport, study and football in Spain
Spain develops some of the best footballers in the world. We offer five options there, from a trial placement to university, built around the rules that protect young foreign players.
Rules first
Three things to know before you go
No visa for compulsory schooling
Since May 2025, a foreign minor can no longer get a student visa for compulsory education in Spain, which ends at 16. In practice, sport and study in Spain starts at 16.
No official matches before 18
FIFA rules generally prohibit registering a foreign minor for official competition, with very narrow exceptions. Before 18, players train every day and play friendlies.
A responsible adult for every minor
A minor’s visa requires notarised consent from both parents, a responsible adult in Spain, Spanish health insurance and at least twenty hours of classes a week.
Five options
From a trial to university
Trial placement
One, two or four weeks in an academy: daily training, friendlies and a written evaluation by the coaches. The best way to measure the level before committing to a season.
- Short-stay visa
- Accommodation and on-site supervision
- Written athletic report at the end
Sport-study season
September to June: daily academy training and non-compulsory education, such as the Spanish baccalaureate, vocational training or an international programme, with at least twenty hours of classes a week.
- Student visa for minors
- Residence or host family, named guardian
- Friendlies, no official competition before 18
Springboard year
A full season to improve and get noticed, with intensive Spanish or vocational training. Once an adult and with the international transfer certificate, the player can compete at amateur level.
- Student visa
- Amateur competition possible
- Exposure to clubs
University and football
A bachelor’s or master’s degree at a Spanish university, playing for the university team or an amateur club. The secondary school diploma must be recognised before enrolment.
- Long-stay student visa
- Diploma recognition
- A European degree
Bridge to US scholarships
A season in Spain to raise the level and the profile, followed by applications to US college scholarships. Athletes leave in their final school year or just after graduating: in Spain they follow an academy and language classes, without enrolling at university, so the NCAA five-year clock does not start too early.
- Academy, English and NCAA or NAIA file
- Videos and statistics from the season
- Applications for the following year
A written quote after the assessment
GOAL Mobility’s fees come on top of programme costs. They depend on the option and are given to you in writing after the eligibility assessment, payable stage by stage.
Calendar and budget
When to go, what to budget
Programme costs seen on the Spanish market in 2026, paid to the academy or university. They vary by institution and do not include our fees, flights, visa or insurance.
| Option | Calendar | Indicative programme costs |
|---|---|---|
| Trial placement | Easter holidays, July or October, for 1, 2 or 4 weeks | From about €2,400 residential, up to about €5,200 depending on length |
| Sport-study season | September to June. Apply January to April, visa May to August | About 24,000 to 55,000 per season, in dollars or euros depending on the academy |
| Springboard year | September to June | About $31,000 at a club academy; about €15,000 to €20,000 with a language school and an amateur club |
| University and football | Starts in September. Apply February to June, after diploma recognition | Public university: €1,500 to €5,000 a year, plus €600 to €1,500 a month living costs. Private university: €5,000 to €20,000 a year |
| Bridge to the United States | Season in Spain from September to June, US applications in parallel | Depends on the season or springboard year chosen, plus US application fees |
Indicative amounts seen in 2026, in the currency each institution publishes. The exact budget is in your quote.
The visa file
What the family prepares
Indicative list for a minor’s student visa. The exact list depends on the consulate.
- Passport valid for over a year, apostilled birth certificate translated into Spanish
- Notarised consent from both parents, stating the length of stay and the address in Spain
- Admission letter from the school, at least twenty hours of classes a week
- Proof of monthly funds at least equal to Spain’s reference indicator (IPREM)
- Health insurance from an insurer operating in Spain, with no excess
- Recent medical certificate
Next step
Let’s look at your profile
The eligibility test takes two minutes. The discovery call is free, with no commitment.
contact@nsa-football.agency