Is 3 Months Enough to Learn Spanish in Spain?

If you're reading this chances are you're facing one of three issues.

You want to learn Spanish in Spain but:

1. You don’t want to overstay the 3-month limit on your tourist visa.

2. You’re worried about having funds to support yourself for more than 3 months.

3. You have a time constraint that limits your stay.

Whatever the case, your goal is simple: to get fluent in Spanish while you’re in Spain.

But can you do it in just 3 months?

The short answer is "yes"

But it depends on your current skills, the Spanish course you choose and the school where you study.

In this post, we’ll cover the key questions you need to ask to get a clear answer.

Want to learn Spanish in Spain…but only have 3 months?

There are many reasons you might want to learn Spanish on a short-term trip to Spain.

If you’re on a short study break, starting a new job soon, or you have an upcoming commitment...then skip to the next section.

If you’re worried about overstaying your visa then read on.

You should know you can get a student visa just by applying for a Spanish course at an accredited language school.

For example, Speakeasy BCN is accredited by the Instituto Cervantes. Every year we help hundreds of students from countries like the U.S., Canada, Russia, the U.K., China and from all around stay in Spain for up to 12 months, 24 months or even longer.

If this sounds like an option for you, click here to read about the 9 requirements for getting a Spanish student visa.

Otherwise, keep reading.

Is an Intensive Course the Answer?

Speakeasy BCN is a leading Spanish language school in Barcelona, and our intensive courses are the most popular ones we offer.

Just like you, most students want to learn Spanish quickly.

We offer a 20-hour intensive course and a 30-hour super-intensive course. Both help you complete one language level every two weeks.

In 3 months, you could advance at least six levels!

Here’s what makes intensive courses effective:

• Small classes: Typically 8-12 students, so your questions are heard.

• Immersion-based learning: Spanish is the only language you’ll use in class.

• Native teachers: Learn correct pronunciation and intonation.

• Weekly activities: Join trips around Barcelona and Catalonia, practice Spanish in real-life settings.

• Spanish qualifications: Get internationally recognized language certifications for your resume.

Ready to explore these options?

Browse our Spanish courses and see how they can work for you.

Can I Learn Spanish in 3 Months in Spain?

Yes, you can definitely make significant progress in Spanish in 3 months.

Achieving fluency in this timeframe is possible, but it will depend on a few factors that can either accelerate or slow down your progress.

Let’s go through 5 of the key questions to consider:

1. What’s Your Current Level?

If you already have a foundation in Spanish—perhaps from school, college or casual use—you’re in a strong position to reach a high level of fluency. You will likely be entered into a class already at an intermediate or advanced level. Some of our Speakeasy BCN students with prior exposure to Spanish grammar, vocabulary or conversational skills will reach C1 or C2 levels within 3 months. These are levels that are classified as 'advanced' or 'proficient' by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

But if you’re starting from scratch, don’t worry. With dedication and the right course, like the intensive programs offered at Speakeasy BCN, it’s possible to gain functional fluency in 3 months. This means you can comfortably handle everyday conversations, read and write on general topics, and get by in most situations. Full fluency—where you can read, write, and speak Spanish with near-native proficiency—might take longer, but the progress you’ll make in 3 months will still be remarkable.

2. Can You Already Hold Conversations?

Being able to hold basic conversations in Spanish before arriving in Spain can make a big difference. Speaking is often the most challenging skill to develop because Spanish is spoken quickly. On average, Spanish speakers can speak around 200 words per minute, making it one of the fastest languages in the world.

The accent you’ll encounter matters, too. Spain has many regional accents, and some are easier to understand than others. Cities like Madrid and Barcelona are known for having a neutral accent, which makes it easier for learners. In contrast, areas like Andalusia, particularly in cities like Málaga or Cádiz, have stronger accents, which could make it harder for beginners to follow conversations.

This is why Barcelona is a fantastic choice—it’s a melting pot of accents and dialects, but locals often adopt a more neutral tone when speaking with non-native speakers. This makes the learning process smoother, and you’ll get used to different ways of speaking Spanish.

3. What’s Your Goal?

Ask yourself: are you aiming to achieve complete fluency, or are you more focused on becoming conversationally fluent? Maybe your goal is to obtain an official Spanish qualification like the DELE or SIELE, which will look impressive on your resume. Knowing your goals will help you set realistic expectations for what you can achieve in 3 months.

If you’re uncertain about your current level or your potential progress, consider taking a level test. Speakeasy BCN offers a placement test that assesses your Spanish proficiency and helps determine the most suitable class level for you. This way, you’ll have a clearer idea of what’s achievable within the time frame you have and whether your goal aligns with your current level.

4. How Much Time Can You Commit?

Time is a huge factor when learning a language. At Speakeasy BCN, we offer both 20-hour and 30-hour weekly intensive courses, so you have options depending on your schedule. For example, the 20-hour intensive course runs for four hours each day, Monday to Friday. If you opt for the 30-hour super-intensive course, you’ll spend six hours per day learning Spanish.

Over the course of 3 months, the super-intensive program will give you an extra 120 hours or so of practice compared to the regular intensive course. This means more exposure, more practice, and more opportunities to get comfortable with the language. If you have other commitments, we also offer semi-intensive courses, which are part-time and start from just 4 hours a week. Part-time study won’t yield the same rapid results as intensive courses, but it can still significantly improve your Spanish over a few months.

5. Where in Spain Will You Be Learning?

Location can influence how quickly you adapt to the language. Spain has many regional accents, some of which are stronger and can be more challenging to understand for new learners. In southern cities like Sevilla and Málaga, the accents can be quite strong, with letters and syllables often dropped or softened.

On the other hand, Barcelona and Madrid are known for their neutral accents, making these cities ideal for Spanish learners. In a cosmopolitan city like Barcelona, you’ll be surrounded by people from various linguistic backgrounds. Locals are accustomed to interacting with learners and often speak at a pace and clarity that’s easier for newcomers to understand. This exposure to a diverse range of speakers with different levels of Spanish can be a helpful way to adapt quickly.

Important: Make sure you get enough speaking practice

One of the most common issues with taking a Spanish course in Spain is that students don't get enough speaking practice.

There are countless language schools across the country.

Not all of them use immersive techniques.

This can be a huge disappointment if your goal is to speak fluently. You could spend months learning vocabulary, grammar, and syntax, only to find that you struggle to have a basic conversation.

How to stop this happening?

To ensure you’re prepared, look for these features:

• Native Spanish-speaking teachers.

• A communicative immersive approach.

• Weekly activities to practice Spanish outside of class.

• Small classes to ensure everyone gets a chance to speak.

• A city with a neutral accent.

Speakeasy BCN offers all of these.

Browse our Spanish courses to find the right fit for you.

Final Thoughts

Learning Spanish in 3 months is possible, especially with an intensive course.

But remember, your success depends on where you start and what your goals are.

Speakeasy BCN offers immersive courses with native teachers, weekly activities, and small classes for more speaking practice.

You’ll be in good hands.

Ready to take the next step?

Browse our Spanish courses and get started on your language journey.