A Master’s degree in Spain is attractive for students from Germany because tuition at public universities is comparatively moderate. Prices depend on the university and the region, and administrative fees are added. This guide gives you a worked example and the main funding routes.
Quick answer: At the University of Barcelona (UB), EU students pay EUR 17.69 or EUR 19.37 per ECTS credit in 2026/27, depending on the Master’s programme. For 60 ECTS credits this is about EUR 1,061 to 1,162, plus administrative fees. Other universities set their own prices. Last updated: October 2026.
Key points
- At the UB, EU students pay EUR 17.69 or 19.37 per ECTS credit in 2026/27, depending on the programme.
- Additional fees apply for administration of the study record and for services.
- Prices are set by universities and regions, so they differ from one university to another.
- A Master’s degree usually comprises 60 ECTS credits in one academic year.
- Your health insurance depends on your main place of residence. The EHIC does not replace full study-abroad insurance.
What does a Master’s degree in Spain cost?
The University of Barcelona publishes its Master’s prices per credit. According to the UB, the basis is decree 96/2026 and the distinction between EU and non-EU students.
| Item at the UB (2026/27) | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition for EU students, professionally qualifying Master’s programmes | EUR 17.69 per ECTS credit | includes chemical engineering |
| Tuition for EU students, other Master’s programmes | EUR 19.37 per ECTS credit | applies to most programmes |
| Administration of the study record (annual enrolment) | EUR 69.80 | semester enrolment EUR 54.54 |
| Servicios específicos | EUR 70.00 | charged at enrolment |
| School accident insurance | EUR 1.12 | only for students under 28 |
Assumption: 60 ECTS credits, other Master’s programmes, annual enrolment and age over 28. This gives EUR 1,162.20 in tuition, plus EUR 69.80 administration and EUR 70.00 services, a total of EUR 1,302.00. These figures apply to the UB, and other universities in Spain set their own prices.
How can you fund a Master’s degree in Spain?
For a Master’s degree abroad, savings, a student loan, scholarships and Auslands-BAföG (German state student aid for study abroad) are possible. The competent German office for training support decides case by case. The guide on Auslands-BAföG (in German) explains the rules.
| Funding route | Suitable for | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Auslands-BAföG | Living and study costs within the rules | Submit the application before the start of studies |
| Student loan | Bridging rent and living costs | Calculate interest and repayment in advance |
| Erasmus+ | Funding within university partnerships | ask your university whether a full-time Master’s is eligible |
A monthly budget keeps your spending under control. The budget planning guide (in German) shows how to build one.
Which health insurance do you need in Spain?
You request the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from your German statutory health insurer. It is valid in the EU, but only for the services that residents of the host country receive. Outpatient and emergency treatment are covered, repatriation is not. This is described in a guide published by Hochschule Offenburg (in German).
Whether you remain in the German statutory system depends on where your main residence is and how long you live in Spain. Clarify this with your health insurer before you start. Even within the EU, an additional study-abroad insurance is recommended, as the guide on health insurance for studies in the EU (in German) explains.
Frequently asked questions
What do I pay as an EU citizen for a Master’s degree at the UB?
In 2026/27 it is EUR 17.69 or 19.37 per ECTS credit, depending on whether the programme is professionally qualifying. Administration and service fees are added.
Is the same price charged at all Spanish universities?
No. Universities and regions set the prices, so check the figures of the university you are applying to.
Do I have to take care of the school accident insurance?
The UB charges the EUR 1.12 school accident insurance only for students under 28. Older students do not pay this item according to the UB figures.
Do I need additional health insurance?
The EHIC does not cover everything and does not include repatriation. The guide from Hochschule Offenburg therefore recommends additional insurance, even within the EU.
Next steps
- Calculate your tuition: ECTS credits times the price per credit, plus administration fees.
- Ask your German statutory health insurer whether you can request an EHIC and how your insurance is handled during studies.
- Plan a budget for the whole academic year, including rent, living costs and travel.
- Check funding routes such as Auslands-BAföG, scholarships and student loans before you accept a place.
- If needed, take out study-abroad health insurance that covers repatriation and the whole stay.
Before you apply, check in which language the Master’s is taught. Many Spanish programmes are in Spanish, others in English. Admission may require a language certificate, whose requirements the university sets. Plan a test in good time.
Related reading
- Master’s Degree Abroad: Countries, Applications and Costs
- Master in Frankreich: Kosten, Finanzierung und Krankenversicherung
- Master in Irland: Kosten, Finanzierung und Krankenversicherung
- Auslandssemester Spanien: Krankenversicherung, Kosten und Erasmus-Förderung (in German)
- EHIC: Europäische Krankenversicherungskarte (in German)
Sources: University of Barcelona, Master tuition fees 2026-2027 (accessed October 2026), Hochschule Offenburg, guide to insurance cover abroad (accessed October 2026).
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
