If you are a foreign national and want to pursue a PhD in Spain, there is an important new development.
The Directorate-General for Migration Management has published Management Criterion 2/2026, which clarifies which permit foreign nationals coming to Spain to pursue doctoral studies must apply for.
The main idea is simple:
As a general rule, a PhD should no longer be processed as a study stay. The route indicated by the Administration is the national research residence authorisation under Law 14/2013.
The Ministry now expressly includes enrolled doctoral students among those who may use the research authorisation.
Let us explain it step by step.
Quick summary: what changes for foreign doctoral students?
The most important point is this:
- If a foreign national wants to pursue a PhD in Spain, the Administration considers these studies to have an essentially research-based purpose.
- Therefore, the national research residence authorisation under Article 72 of Law 14/2013 must be used.
- The application is processed before the Unit for Large Companies and Strategic Collectives (UGE-CE).
- The application may be submitted by the foreign national themselves or, depending on the case, by the university or higher-education institution.
- If the person is outside Spain, they first obtain the authorisation and then apply for the corresponding visa at the Spanish Consulate.
- If a PhD is submitted to the immigration authorities as an ordinary study stay, that is no longer the route considered appropriate under the new administrative criterion.
The criterion was officially published on 11 August 2026.
Why is a PhD now considered research?
To understand this, let us consider what a person does during a PhD.
A bachelor’s student normally attends classes, learns subjects and takes exams.
A PhD is different.
The person researches a topic for several years, works with a thesis supervisor and ultimately presents new research.
Organic Law 2/2023 on the University System states that doctoral studies serve to acquire skills and abilities related to research.
Therefore, the Directorate-General for Migration Management concludes that doctoral studies have an essentially research-based purpose.
The PhD also corresponds to level 4 of the Spanish Qualifications Framework for Higher Education (MECES) and level 8 of the European framework.
Put simply:
the PhD is the highest level of university study and its main component is research.
Which permit must a foreign doctoral student apply for now?
The route established by Management Criterion 2/2026 is:
National research residence authorisation
It is regulated by Article 72 of Law 14/2013 on support for entrepreneurs and their internationalisation. The article distinguishes between an EU research authorisation and a national research authorisation.
For foreign students who are going to pursue a PhD, the new criterion expressly states that cases will be processed through the national research residence authorisation.
This is important because we are talking about a residence authorisation, not the typical study-stay authorisation.
Who processes this residence application?
There is also an important practical change here.
It is not submitted to the provincial Immigration Office, as many study applications are.
La competencia corresponde a la:
the Unit for Large Companies and Strategic Collectives (UGE-CE).
Although its name may seem unusual for someone who simply wants to pursue a PhD, this unit processes the authorisations regulated by Law 14/2013.
The Ministry currently confirms that research applications are submitted online to the UGE-CE.
Can the student submit the application themselves?
Yes.
Management Criterion 2/2026 states that the application may be submitted:
- por la propia persona extranjera, o
- by the centre or higher-education institution where they will pursue the PhD.
The Ministry’s updated information also clarifies that, when a doctoral student has no contract with the university or institution, they may submit the application themselves.
This is especially important because many people pursuing a PhD do not have a research contract.
Is an employment contract required to pursue a PhD?
Not necessarily.
The updated official information expressly covers doctoral students without a research contract.
Por tanto, no debemos confundir dos situaciones:
Doctoral student with a contract: there may be an employment or research relationship with a university or centre.
Doctoral student without a contract: they may also apply for this authorisation if they meet the relevant requirements.
For people without a contract, the Ministry has even published a specific list of documents they must provide.
What documents does a doctoral student without a contract need?
According to the Ministry’s updated official information, the following documents are required, among others:
- a valid passport or travel document;
- the relevant International Mobility form;
- proof that they have sufficient funds to support themselves;
- health insurance valid in Spain;
- a document from the university proving that they have been admitted to a doctoral programme;
- proof that they have paid the relevant registration or enrolment fee;
- a criminal-record certificate where required;
- a sworn statement regarding their record for the previous years;
- proof of payment of the fee.
In addition, the PhD programme must be officially registered in the Register of Universities, Centres and Qualifications (RUCT) at doctoral level.
How much money must a doctoral student without a contract prove?
For a doctoral student without a research contract, the UGE’s official information currently requires proof of resources equivalent to at least 50% of the statutory minimum wage, calculated annually.
If family members accompany the student, the Ministry indicates a level of resources equivalent to 100% of the statutory minimum wage.
This does not mean that they must receive a salary.
Financial means can be demonstrated through the relevant documentation.
Como el SMI puede cambiar cada año, conviene comprobar la cantidad concreta que esté vigente cuando se presente la solicitud.
What health insurance is required?
The person must have public or private health insurance valid in Spain.
For doctoral students without a contract, the official information warns that basic travel insurance and policies with certain limitations, such as co-payments or waiting periods, are not accepted.
Therefore, before taking out insurance, it is important to check that it genuinely meets the requirements set by the UGE.
What if the person is still outside Spain?
The procedure has two steps.
Step 1: Apply for residence
The national research residence authorisation must first be applied for through the UGE-CE.
Step 2: Apply for the visa
Once the authorisation has been granted, the person outside Spain must apply for the corresponding visa at the Spanish Consulate responsible for their place of residence.
This is expressly stated both in Management Criterion 2/2026 and in the Ministry’s updated information.
What if I am already in Spain?
The criterion also covers people who already hold a study-stay or residence authorisation and want to start a PhD.
In those cases, the applicable route for pursuing the PhD is likewise the national research residence authorisation.
However, there is an important general condition: the official information states that the applicant must not be in an irregular situation in Spain.
Therefore, if a person is already in Spain, it is advisable to check which authorisation they hold, when it expires and when the change must be made.
What happens if I apply for a study stay to pursue a PhD?
The new criterion is especially clear on this point.
If a person submits an application for a higher-education study stay to pursue a PhD to an Immigration Office, the Administration must inform them that this is not the appropriate route and that they must use the procedure under Article 72 of Law 14/2013.
The same applies if a person who is abroad tries to apply for an ordinary study visa to pursue the PhD.
Therefore:
PhD ≠ ordinary study stay.
According to Criterion 2/2026:
PhD → national research residence.
Does this also affect a university master’s degree?
No.
The criterion we are explaining refers specifically to PhD studies.
It does not say that all university studies must be processed as research.
A person who comes to Spain to study, for example:
- an undergraduate degree;
- a university master’s degree;
- certain higher-education studies;
may still fall under the study-stay regime where applicable.
The specific change affects PhD programmes because of their research nature.
How long does the authorisation take?
The Ministry’s official information currently sets a maximum decision period of 20 working days from the electronic submission of the application to the competent authority.
In addition, if no decision is issued within that period, the official information states that the authorisation is deemed granted by administrative silence.
This distinguishes this procedure from many ordinary immigration cases, which may take longer.
How long does this residence last?
The research residence authorisation under Law 14/2013 may be valid for up to three years, or for a shorter period where this follows from the relationship or activity justifying the authorisation.
The specific situation of a doctoral student will depend on the documented duration of their case and the conditions of their programme.
When the authorisation is for more than six months, the applicant must subsequently apply for their Foreigner Identity Card (TIE).
Can the doctoral student’s family come with them?¿Puede venir la familia del estudiante de doctorado?
Yes, when the requirements are met.
International mobility regulations allow certain family members to accompany or join the main applicant.
They may include:
- the spouse or partner;
- minor children;
- certain dependent adult children;
- certain dependent ascendants.
Family members’ applications may be processed jointly or later, and their authorisation remains linked to that of the researcher.
A very simple example
María does not have an employment contract with the university.
María no tiene contrato de trabajo con la universidad.
Before, she might think:
“Since I am going to study, I have to apply for a study stay.”
Under the new criterion, that is not the correct route.
María must prepare an application for national research residence through the UGE-CE.
She will have to prove, among other things, that:
- she has been admitted to an official doctoral programme;
- she has completed the relevant enrolment;
- she has sufficient funds;
- has health insurance;
- she meets the criminal-record requirements.
If María is in Colombia, the authorisation will first be processed and, once approved, she will apply for the relevant visa at the Spanish Consulate.
What happens to people who already have a study stay to pursue a doctoral programme?
This point requires caution.
Management Criterion 2/2026 establishes which authorisation must be used to process PhD studies, but the document does not say that all study-stay authorisations already granted are automatically cancelled.
Therefore, a person who already has a valid study card for doctoral studies should not assume that their authorisation is no longer valid.
The following will have to be checked:
- which authorisation they hold;
- when it was granted;
- when it expires;
- whether they are starting or continuing the PhD;
- and which procedure they must follow when the time comes to renew or change their status.
In these cases, it is advisable to review the individual case file before submitting a new application.
Is Management Criterion 2/2026 a new law?
No.
This is also important.
Management Criterion 2/2026 is not a new law or a new Regulation.
It is an administrative criterion issued by the Directorate-General for Migration Management to standardise how the existing rules should be applied to foreign nationals pursuing a PhD.
Its main legal basis is:
- Article 72 of Law 14/2013;
- Article 13 of Law 14/2011 on Science, Technology and Innovation;
- and Article 9 of Organic Law 2/2023 on the University System.
the Ministry’s official website currently includes this criterion among the reference rules for research authorisations.
Frequently asked questions about PhD studies and research residence
Does a foreign doctoral student need a study stay?
Under Management Criterion 2/2026, the route indicated by the Directorate-General for Migration Management is the national research residence authorisation under Article 72 of Law 14/2013.
¿Tiene que presentar la solicitud la universidad?
Not necessarily. The student may submit it themselves in the cases provided for, especially when they are enrolled in a PhD and have no contract with the organisation.
Do I need an employment contract?
No. There is a specific documentary procedure for doctoral students without a research contract.
Where is the application submitted?
Online, through the Unit for Large Companies and Strategic Collective (UGE-CE).
Can I apply while in Spain?
The criterion also covers people who already hold a study-stay or residence authorisation. In any event, the official information requires that they not be in an irregular situation in Spain.
What if I am outside Spain?
The authorisation must be obtained first. The corresponding visa is then requested at the Spanish Consulate.
Can I bring my family?
Yes, certain family members may obtain an authorisation linked to the researcher if they meet the requirements.
Is any course called a “PhD” acceptable?
No. For doctoral students without a contract, the official information requires the programme to be registered in the RUCT at doctoral level.
What do we recommend at SenValos?
If you are going to start a doctoral programme in Spain, do not automatically apply for a study stay as if it were a master’s or bachelor’s degree.
First check whether your programme is an official doctorate registered in the RUCT and prepare the file for national research residence with the UGE-CE.
If you are already in Spain pursuing a doctorate under a study stay, this does not mean that you have to cancel your card immediately. In that case, it is advisable to review your current authorisation and the relevant dates before deciding on the next step.
At ONGD SenValos, we can review your situation and help you identify the appropriate procedure.
The most important thing now is to check whether the programme you are going to take is genuinely an official PhD programme and to avoid submitting the application through the wrong route.
Official sources
Official information on research residence
Management Criteria of the Ministry of Inclusion
Official information on research residence
