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Madrid, Barcelona, Granada, or a smaller university town? Choosing your study destination in Spain can change your annual budget by several thousand euros.
For a Moroccan student, tuition fees aren't the only thing to compare. Housing, food, transport, and daily expenses can make up the bulk of your annual budget.
Here are the main expenses to anticipate in 2026.
Your budget depends primarily on the city and the type of housing you choose.
In a relatively affordable city like Granada, a student sharing an apartment can expect a budget of around €700 to €800 per month.
In a major city, the monthly budget is more likely to be between €800 and €1,100, or even more depending on your housing and lifestyle.
Over twelve months, a difference of a few hundred euros each month adds up to several thousand euros.
Housing is generally your biggest monthly expense.
To build your budget, you can use the following ranges:
In an affordable city: around €300 to €500 per month for a room, with utilities included or partially included.
In a large city: around €500 to €850 per month for a room or student housing.
For a private studio: generally €700 to €1,200 per month, depending on the city and neighborhood.
In Granada, for example, a room in a shared apartment can be around €250 to €350 excluding utilities, while Madrid or Barcelona generally require a larger budget.
The security deposit is not typically a final expense, as it can be recovered at the end of the lease if the conditions are met.
However, you must have it available when you move in.
A landlord may specifically request the first month's rent, a security deposit, and possibly an additional guarantee.
It is therefore wise to arrive with the equivalent of two to three months of rent available.
If you cook regularly, you can expect to spend about €200 to €350 per month on groceries.
Your budget will naturally be higher if you frequently eat out or order takeout.
On top of that, you should add about €40 to €100 per month for water, electricity, and gas, €15 to €40 for phone and internet, and €40 to €100 for toiletries, supplies, and miscellaneous purchases.
For leisure and outings, setting aside €50 to €150 per month will help you build a more realistic budget.
Public transport remains relatively affordable in many university cities, especially thanks to student or youth transit passes.
It is reasonable to budget about €20 to €60 per month.
However, be careful not to choose your accommodation based solely on the rent.
A cheaper room located very far from your campus can increase your transport costs and significantly lengthen your daily commute.
The cost depends on your departure city, your destination in Spain, the time of year, your luggage, and the mode of transport.
For your first trip and a potential return to Morocco during the year, a budget of between €250 and €700is a conservative estimate.
Students living in the south of Spain may sometimes have access to different sea or air travel options than those available for Madrid, Barcelona, or the north of the country.
A common mistake is to calculate only your regular monthly expenses.
Your first month in Spain can be much more expensive.
You may need to pay your first month's rent, security deposit, transport from the airport, initial groceries, linens, kitchenware, SIM card, and certain university supplies all at once.
It is therefore recommended to set aside a settling-in fund of approximately €700 to €1,500.
The choice of city can have a significant impact.
A difference of just €250 in rent per month adds up to €3,000 over a year.
Choosing a more affordable city or opting for a shared apartment during your first year can significantly reduce the overall cost of your project.
However, the goal isn't necessarily to pick the cheapest city. You need to find the best balance between your university, your program, your housing, and your budget.
Ideally, you should arrange your housing and budget before you leave.
In particular, avoid transferring large sums of money to a landlord or intermediary without having verified the property and the terms of the contract.
Depending on the services available and your eligibility, Studely can assist some students with their financial procedures and the search for student housing.
To live in Spain in 2026, a Moroccan student must primarily plan for housing, food, transportation, and relocation expenses.
An affordable city and a shared apartment can significantly reduce your budget. Conversely, choosing an individual studio in a major city like Madrid or Barcelona can increase your annual costs by several thousand euros.
Before choosing your destination, always compare the cost of tuition and the cost of living in the city.