Fully Funded Scholarships in Spain for international Students 2025-2026

Fully Funded Scholarships in Spain for international Students 2025-2026

Are you looking to study in Europe without the burden of tuition fees and living expenses? Spain offers fully funded scholarships for international students in the academic year 2025-2026, opening doors to world-class education, vibrant culture, and affordable living. Whether you’re aiming for a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD degree, Spanish universities and government bodies provide a wide range of scholarship opportunities that cover tuition, accommodation, monthly stipends, and even travel expenses.

Renowned institutions like the University of Barcelona, Autonomous University of Madrid, University of Granada, and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona participate in government-funded and EU-backed scholarship programs, such as MAEC-AECID, Erasmus Mundus, and Fundación Carolina. These scholarships are designed to attract high-achieving students from non-EU countries, especially from Latin America, Asia, Africa, and developing regions.

In this article, we’ll guide you through the top fully funded scholarships in Spain for 2025-2026, including eligibility criteria, benefits, and how to apply—so you can make your dream of studying in Spain a reality.

Best Scholarships in Spain for international Students 2025-2026

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The Spanish Government Scholarships (Becas MAEC-AECID) 2025–2026 offer fully funded opportunities for international students from developing countries to pursue Master’s, PhD, or research programs in Spain. The scholarship covers tuition, a monthly stipend, health insurance, and travel costs in some cases.

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ICFO Fellowship in Spain is a fully funded program for undergraduate, master’s, PhD, and postdoctoral students, covering tuition, stipend, and travel expenses while offering research opportunities at The Institute of Photonic Sciences.

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Spanish Government Scholarships (Becas MAEC-AECID) 2025–2026
Spanish Government Scholarships (Becas MAEC-AECID) 2025–2026

The Spanish Government Scholarships (Becas MAEC-AECID) 2025–2026 are prestigious fully funded opportunities offered by Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) for international students from Latin America, Africa, Asia, and other non-EU countries.

These scholarships aim to promote academic exchange, development cooperation, and capacity-building by supporting Master's, PhD, and postgraduate research studies at top Spanish public universities. Covering full tuition, a generous monthly stipend, health insurance, and travel expenses in certain cases, the program allows talented individuals to study in a dynamic and globally recognized academic environment. Most programs are offered in Spanish, with a growing number available in English, providing access to quality European education and cultural immersion in Spain.

Scholarship Summary

  • Scholarship Name: Becas MAEC-AECID

  • Host Institutions: Spanish public universities and research centers

  • Level of Study: Master’s, PhD, Postgraduate training, and research

  • Eligible Regions: Latin America, Africa, Asia, and non-EU countries

  • Instruction Language: Spanish (some programs in English)

  • Scholarship Type: Fully Funded

  • Application Period: Typically opens in early spring (March–April) annually

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ICFO Fellowship 2025-2026 Fully Funded
ICFO Fellowship 2025-2026 Fully Funded

ICFO Fellowship 2025-2026 is a fully funded opportunity for international students. It is open to Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD, and Postdoctoral applicants, covering tuition fees, a monthly stipend, and travel costs.

ICFO – The Institute of Photonic Sciences provides students the chance to complete Final Degree Projects, Master’s Theses, or take part in research stays, enhancing their education and research experience.

This program, established under the “Severo Ochoa Centres of Excellence” accreditation by Spain’s Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, aims to advance scientific research excellence. A select number of fellowships are offered to outstanding students from top universities worldwide.

The fellowship is designed to give students early exposure to cutting-edge science and research, supporting exceptional scholars in experiencing the challenges and excitement of real research projects across ICFO’s wide range of active scientific fields.

Scholarship Summary

  • Level of Study: Undergraduate, Master’s, PhD, Postdoctoral

  • Institution(s): ICFO – The Institute of Photonic Sciences

  • Study in: Spain

  • Deadline: Check deadline here

Top Fully Funded Scholarships in Spain for International Students 2025-2026

2. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EMJMD) – Spain Partner Universities

Spain is a major host country for Erasmus Mundus programs, with several of its universities participating in joint master’s programs funded by the European Commission. These are highly competitive and open to international students from all over the world.

Scholarship Features:

  • Host Institutions: University of Barcelona, University of Granada, Autonomous University of Madrid, and others

  • Level of Study: Joint Master’s

  • Scholarship Value: Fully Funded

  • Covers:

    • Full tuition

    • Monthly living allowance (€1,000/month)

    • Travel costs (€2,000–€3,000/year)

    • Installation allowance

  • Eligibility: Students from both EU and non-EU countries

  • Instruction: English or a mix of European languages

5. Fundación Carolina Scholarships

The Carolina Foundation offers hundreds of scholarships every year for Latin American students and others from developing countries to pursue master’s, doctoral, and postdoctoral studies in Spain. Many of these are fully funded.

Scholarship Features:

  • Host Institutions: Public and private Spanish universities

  • Level of Study: Master’s, PhD, Short-Term Research

  • Scholarship Value: Fully Funded

  • Covers:

    • Full or partial tuition

    • Monthly stipend

    • Airfare (round trip)

    • Medical insurance

  • Priority Regions: Latin America, Africa, Asia

  • Language: Mostly Spanish-taught programs

6. Barcelona Graduate School of Economics (Barcelona GSE) Scholarships

Barcelona GSE offers merit-based, fully funded scholarships for students applying to master’s degrees in economics, finance, and data science. These are highly competitive and ideal for students with a strong academic background.

Scholarship Features:

  • Host Institution: Barcelona GSE

  • Level of Study: Master’s

  • Scholarship Value: Up to 100% tuition waiver + stipend

  • Covers:

    • Full tuition

    • Monthly living allowance

    • Additional merit prizes

  • Eligibility: International students with excellent academic records

8. Santander Erasmus & International Scholarships

Banco Santander, in collaboration with Spanish universities, provides scholarships for students participating in Erasmus+ and other international mobility programs. These scholarships are partially or fully funded.

Scholarship Features:

  • Host Institutions: Participating Spanish universities

  • Level of Study: Bachelor’s, Master’s

  • Scholarship Value: Up to €5,000

  • Covers:

    • Tuition or exchange expenses

    • Travel allowance

    • Monthly support grant

  • Eligibility: Students accepted into international mobility or Erasmus+ programs

Why Choose Spain for Higher Education?

  • Globally recognized universities & degrees

  • Affordable living compared to Western Europe

  • Ideal climate & vibrant student life

  • Wide range of English-taught programs

  • Gateway to the European job market

  • Strong academic focus on innovation, economics, humanities, and social sciences

How to Apply for Scholarships in Spain?

  1. Choose your degree and university

    • Use platforms like StudyinSpain.info or university websites.

  2. Identify applicable scholarships

    • Government (MAEC-AECID), EU (Erasmus), or university-specific.

  3. Prepare your documents

    • Degree certificates, transcripts, CV, language proof, motivation letter, recommendation letters, passport.

  4. Apply online or via embassy

    • Each scholarship has different application procedures.

  5. Track deadlines

    • Most scholarships open between December and March for the upcoming academic year.

Scholarship Application Deadlines (Typical Range)

  • MAEC-AECID Scholarships: January – March

  • Fundación Carolina: February – April

  • Erasmus Mundus: October – January

  • University-specific scholarships: February – May (varies)

Spain offers some of the best fully funded scholarships in Europe for international students, especially those from Latin America, Africa, Asia, and non-EU countries. Whether you're pursuing economics, science, humanities, or research, there are plenty of financial support options to help you study at top Spanish universities.

Start planning now, gather your documents, and apply early—your future in Spain could be just one scholarship away!