PREPARING FOR THE GLOBAL COLLEGE
The Global College requires that all enrolled students must have appropriate visa and/or other residency documentation to remain and study in Spain throughout the duration of their time at the school. Additionally, Spanish law requires that any unaccompanied student in Spain (i.e. those whose parents or legal guardians do not reside in our country, irrespective of the child’s nationality) must have a designated guardian here, named through a notarized agreement.
For all students, particularly non-Spanish students, we kindly ask families
- To start early
- To understand the process, requirements, and processing times
- To promptly consider seeking support from a knowledgeable immigration attorney to help with immigration procedures or requirements (highly advisable if a student visa is necessary)
- And to be thorough in the preparation of all required paperwork.
All students who are under the age of 18 and whose parents do not reside in Spain, are required by Spanish Law to have a designated Guardian while studying in Spain. Boarders are not exempt from this obligation.
- The guardian (also referred to as “tutor”, “academic or educational guardian”) must be an adult residing in Spain (preferably in Madrid), duly appointed by the parents, through a notarized document.
- The guardian is required to act on behalf of the parents in all immigration procedures or in any procedure to be followed in Spain for which parental authority is required. More generally, the guardian is entrusted with the responsibility to ensure the child´s adequate care, well-being and welfare while studying in Spain.
- The guardian will remain on file with the Spanish Authorities as the child’s local representative and therefore becomes the primary point of contact for any emergency, accidents, or incidents where Police or other State Authorities are involved.
Families who do not have the option of appointing a guardian who is a family member or a close friend residing in/near Madrid, have the option of securing guardianship services from a professional provider.
VISA AND RESIDENCE PERMIT
All Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals -including those currently residing in a European country other than Spain- are required to follow several immigration procedures to obtain and maintain legal status in Spain throughout their studies, both BEFORE ENTERING SPAIN (student visa) and ONCE IN SPAIN (student residence permit for year 1, and renewal for year 2).
KEY TIPS:
1. Start Early
Preparing for the visa requirements and related paperwork can easily take 1 month.
2. Immediately check your passport expiration date.
Your passport should be valid for at least 1 year after the proposed arrival date in Spain.
3. Get acquainted with the student visa process and specific requirements.
In view of the complexity of the requirements, it is highly advisable you seek legal support from an immigration professional.
MANDATORY PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE
Students must be covered by an insurer for the duration of their studies, and must not arrive in Spain before their health insurance starts. Please note that travel insurance is not accepted. Additionally, The Global College does not accept reimbursement policies for our boarding students. Proof of having adequate and fully compliant private health insurance is a requisite for a student visa.
REGISTRATION UPON ENTRY IN SPAIN
All incoming students from an EU member country, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland are required by law to register as a resident in Spain with the Central Register of Foreign Citizens (Registro Central de Extranjeros) of Madrid, within one month of arrival to Spain.
Upon registration, the student will receive a registration certificate valid for 5 years and a Foreigner Identification Number (NIE).
While registering should be simple, it can end up cumbersome. It is administratively demanding (appointment arrangements must be done well in advance and in person attendance is required at each step); and frustrating if documents required are not fully compliant with what Spanish Authorities demand, including the necessary guardianship agreement if the child is underage.
HEALTH INSURANCE
EU, EEA and Swiss students studying in Spain have the advantage of accessing the Spanish public health system through their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or the newer Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). Both cards provide essential coverage for healthcare services during their stay in Spain.
The EHIC and GHIC ensure that these students can receive medically necessary treatments and services that are covered by the Spanish national health system. If you plan to have your child only covered through their EHIC or GHIC, you will need to confirm that the card will be valid for the entire duration of their stay in Spain. It is therefore recommended you check the expiration date and any specific requirements from the home country’s healthcare system to ensure seamless coverage while studying here.
While the EHIC or GHIC is an option, it is important to note that these cards only provide coverage for publicly funded treatments and services. While the public healthcare system in Spain provides good coverage, having additional private health insurance is highly recommended for international students. Private health insurance can offer added benefits, such as faster appointments and access to private hospitals and specialists.
Please be advised that all boarding students, regardless of nationality, are required to have medical coverage, and we do not accept reimbursement policies.
The Global College has arranged with SANITAS and ADESLAS, both leading Spanish private healthcare providers, to offer our international students moving to and living in Spain medical insurance plans.
Plans offered by these two companies are fully compliant with all areas of coverage required by the Spanish authorities for Non-EU/EEA/Swiss students. Spanish Law requires continuous coverage throughout the student academic journey.
Please note that the school has no financial interest in these arrangements, other than seeking better fees for members of our community.
Families are encouraged to contact the companies directly to discuss about policy specifics, terms and conditions, the contracting process and payment requirements. They should also compare plans, including other Spanish providers, before making a decision.
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