Campus Rural 2026 offers university students 850 paid internship placements in rural municipalities, with each participant receiving €1,000 gross per month. Now in its fifth edition, the program is coordinated by the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO), which also covers each student’s Social Security contributions.
Placements last between two and five months and are available through 45 public universities across the country. Each university runs its own selection process, setting deadlines and criteria. There is no single national application window, so students should check with their institutions for current or upcoming opportunities.
Internships in Rural Spain
The program targets municipalities with fewer than 5,000 inhabitants, areas most affected by depopulation. Students can undertake internships with local councils or public bodies. Eligible hosts also include businesses and associations, along with chambers of commerce and foundations, provided they operate within designated rural zones. MITECO says the goal is to bridge the gap between academic learning and the professional needs of Spain’s rural communities.
Since its launch in 2022, Campus Rural has enabled over 2,200 students to gain hands-on experience in small towns. Last year, 657 students took part, working in 402 different municipalities. The program’s geoportal lets students see which towns are included and what opportunities are available.
Who Can Apply?
Students enrolled in any official undergraduate or master’s program at participating public universities can apply. They must meet their university’s requirements for external academic internships and comply with the national structure established by Royal Decree 592/2014. Selection may take academic performance and credits completed into account. It may also consider how relevant a degree is to the placement and whether an applicant is willing to relocate to another province. Some universities also weigh participation in activities that improve employability. Unsuccessful applicants may be placed on a reserve list.
Application Process and Deadlines
There is no central application portal. Each university publishes its own call for applications, runs the process and selects candidates. As of August 14, 2026, many universities had already closed applications for this edition. The University of Alcalá ended its process in April, while the University of Granada closed applications in May. The University of La Rioja and some other universities extended deadlines into June. Students interested in future editions or reserve lists should check their university’s website or contact the relevant office directly.
Living and Working in Rural Areas
Host organizations must apply to take part and gain approval as collaborators. Students are generally expected to live in the municipality where their internship takes place, though exceptions can be made for justified reasons. MITECO encourages host entities to help arrange accommodation, recognizing that housing can be difficult to find in small towns.
Students seeking other experiences can also consider options such as paid internships with the European Union. Campus Rural 2026 aims to revitalize rural Spain by connecting young talent with communities in need of new energy and skills.
As reported by Talent24h, the program continues to evolve, giving students a practical way to gain work experience while contributing to the future of Spain’s rural heartland.
