Language Immersion Courses in Bilbao, Spain

Bilbao is a good choice for learners who want to study Spanish in a large city in northern Spain. Basque (euskera) and Spanish are both official in the Basque Country, but Spanish is the everyday language for most people, so there are many chances to practise outside class. The choice of schools is smaller than in Madrid or Barcelona: a private Spanish school and the language services of the city's two universities.

What the language schools offer

The Instituto Hemingway has taught Spanish in Bilbao since 1999 and appears on the Instituto Cervantes list of accredited centres in the province of Bizkaia. Courses start every Monday. Its options include:

• a standard course of 20 hours a week and an intensive course of 23 hours
• a 3-hour afternoon course and one-to-one lessons, in class or online
• preparation for exams and certificates
• introductory Basque classes and a programme of free cultural activities
• accommodation with host families, half or full board

The course includes a level test before arrival and a certificate of attendance and achievement at the end. The school also offers free visa processing for its students.

University students have other options. The public Universidad del País Vasco / Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea (EHU) offers free Spanish and Basque courses to its incoming exchange students, including those on Erasmus+, SICUE and Latin American exchange programmes, with courses in autumn and spring and an intensive online course. The Universidad de Deusto runs a modern languages centre and an international Spanish centre (CIDE), both listed in our directory.

Exams and certificates

The DELE diplomas are the official certificates of Spanish proficiency, awarded by the Instituto Cervantes on behalf of the Spanish Ministry of Education, and cover all CEFR levels. A school's own certificate is a useful record of your course, but it is not an official qualification.

Costs

At the Instituto Hemingway, the 20-hour course costs €190 per week for one week and less for longer stays, down to €145 per week from 25 weeks; the 23-hour intensive course costs €230 for one week. Accommodation is extra. Exchange students at the EHU take its Spanish courses free of charge.

Visa and practical tips

• Study stays of less than 90 days do not require a study visa, although some nationalities need a short-stay Schengen visa, according to the Spanish consulate in New York
• Longer Spanish courses can qualify for a student visa as a training activity; apply at least two months before the course starts
• From the airport, Bizkaibus line A3247 runs to the Termibus station every 15 minutes, according to Aena

Frequently asked questions

Is Bilbao a good place to learn Spanish?

Yes. Spanish is the main language of daily life, the city has an accredited Spanish school with weekly start dates, and exchange students at the public university can take free Spanish courses.

How much does a Spanish course in Bilbao cost?

At the Instituto Hemingway, a 20-hour course costs €190 for one week, with lower weekly prices for longer stays. Accommodation is charged separately.

Do I need to learn Basque?

No. Spanish is enough for daily life, but Basque is also official and some schools offer short introductory Basque classes.