Gap Year Programs in Spain

Yes! You can take a gap year in Spain. However, if you want to spend an entire 12 months in Spain, you will need to explore which long stay visas you're eligible for, as a typical tourist visa only lasts for 90 days.

9 Best Gap Year Programs in Spain

It depends on what the focus of your gap year will be and how long you actually intend to stay. For example, Spain offers both an Au Pair Visa and Working Holiday Visa, which have their own stipulations and requirements.

Benefits of taking a gap year in Spain include improved Spanish language skills, broadened horizons, and new perspectives. To enjoy the benefits of a gap year in Spain, be sure to be intentional and set goals for yourself.

The most popular types of gap year programs in Spain are au pair programs, language programs, and English teaching programs. However, in such a big country with so much to explore, you can do almost anything with a gap year in Spain!

Popular destinations for a gap year in Spain are Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Valencia, and more. Spain is extremely popular with international students, and as such, there are tons of places that make great gap year destinations in Spain.

10 Beautiful (and Best) Places to Take a Gap Year

Latest Program Reviews

The excitement that came with my Spanish improvement was most memorable for me.

May 02, 2025by: Julia C. Program: CIEE Gap Year: Spanish Language & Culture in Seville, Spain

10

When deciding to take a gap year I felt really stressed about how I would choose to spend my time and finding the right experience for me. I’m so happy I found the ciee gap year program, I felt that it was a great opportunity to learn so many new things and have such a unique experience. My most memorable experience was getting to meet so many new people who J probably never would’ve had I not been in this program and studying abroad here in Seville. And aside from the traveling I got to do, the excitement that came with my Spanish improvement was most memorable for me. Being able to notice my own progress and feel really comfortable in a completely new language was really rewarding.

The Key to a New Beginning

December 28, 2024by: Alyssa Galdamez - United StatesProgram: EF Gap Semester: 10-Week Programs in Multiple Destinations

9

Being part of the first ever Voyager semester in Fall 2023 was an experience I was unprepared for, and the best decision I could’ve ever made. Little did I know that by embarking on this endeavor, I would unlock a part of myself that I didn’t know existed until then. My semester with EF Gap Year taught me self-love, self discovery, and the importance of being uniquely myself. Never did I think it was possible to be able to afford this trip of a lifetime, but I was left with so much satisfaction and so much pride that I had set this goal and I achieved it. This semester taught me that I can do anything I set my mind to and no goal is too big or too impossible. I flew to the other side of the world by myself and saw glowing blue oceans in Thailand that I never thought I’d be able to witness in my lifetime. I learn pieces of languages from each country I spent time in. I connected with people I would’ve never met without this experience and found with locals who had so much passion for their homeland and wanted to share it with me. Was I prepared for this transformation and self growth? No, and only because it was more than I could ever ask for. To anyone who is scared to take such a leap of faith, do it anyway. I haven’t met one person who regretted doing this for themselves, or thought it was a waste of time or money. Dream big, and you will reach the stars.

The excitement that came with my Spanish improvement was most memorable for me.

May 02, 2025by: Julia C. Program: CIEE Gap Year: Spanish Language & Culture in Seville, Spain

10

When deciding to take a gap year I felt really stressed about how I would choose to spend my time and finding the right experience for me. I’m so happy I found the ciee gap year program, I felt that it was a great opportunity to learn so many new things and have such a unique experience. My most memorable experience was getting to meet so many new people who J probably never would’ve had I not been in this program and studying abroad here in Seville. And aside from the traveling I got to do, the excitement that came with my Spanish improvement was most memorable for me. Being able to notice my own progress and feel really comfortable in a completely new language was really rewarding.

The Key to a New Beginning

December 28, 2024by: Alyssa Galdamez - United StatesProgram: EF Gap Semester: 10-Week Programs in Multiple Destinations

9

Being part of the first ever Voyager semester in Fall 2023 was an experience I was unprepared for, and the best decision I could’ve ever made. Little did I know that by embarking on this endeavor, I would unlock a part of myself that I didn’t know existed until then. My semester with EF Gap Year taught me self-love, self discovery, and the importance of being uniquely myself. Never did I think it was possible to be able to afford this trip of a lifetime, but I was left with so much satisfaction and so much pride that I had set this goal and I achieved it. This semester taught me that I can do anything I set my mind to and no goal is too big or too impossible. I flew to the other side of the world by myself and saw glowing blue oceans in Thailand that I never thought I’d be able to witness in my lifetime. I learn pieces of languages from each country I spent time in. I connected with people I would’ve never met without this experience and found with locals who had so much passion for their homeland and wanted to share it with me. Was I prepared for this transformation and self growth? No, and only because it was more than I could ever ask for. To anyone who is scared to take such a leap of faith, do it anyway. I haven’t met one person who regretted doing this for themselves, or thought it was a waste of time or money. Dream big, and you will reach the stars.