**Background:** Food insecurity (FI) is defined as limited or uncertain access to nutritionally adequate, safe, and acceptable foods. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated FI globally, yet research on FI among European university students remains limited. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and identify predictors of FI among students at a Spanish public university (UPV/EHU) during the pandemic.
**Methods:** This cross-sectional study was part of the FINESCOP project. Between December 2021 and January 2022, 422 students completed an online survey. FI was assessed using the 8-item Food Insecurity Experience Scale (FIES). Demographic, socio-economic, educational variables, and weight status (BMI from self-reported data) were collected. Results were weighted by age and field of education. Binary logistic regression adjusted by sex, age, and campus identified FI predictors. The estimated sample size was 342 students per university (95% CI, 5% precision).
**Key Results:** The mean age was 22.7 years (SD 5.5); most participants were women, born in Europe, and 7% were immigrants. Overall, 22.9% experienced FI: 19.6% mild, 2.6% moderate, and 0.7% severe. Significant differences in age were found between food-secure (22.7, SD 5.8) and food-insecure groups (22.5, SD 4.1) (p < 0.001). The three strongest predictors of FI were: a decrease in the main source of income (OR 2.80; 95% CI 2.57–3.06), not receiving scholarships during the pandemic (OR 2.32; 95% CI 2.18–2.47), and living arrangements before the pandemic (not living with parents/relatives) (OR 2.03; 95% CI 1.89–2.18). Other significant predictors included loss of scholarship after pandemic onset, working before the pandemic (OR 1.58; 95% CI 1.45–1.73), worsening employment status during the pandemic, parents having lower than tertiary education, and being an undergraduate student. Among those whose income decreased, the average decrease was 41.7% (SD 28.1); the percentage decrease was greater in food-insecure (49.7%, SD 30.5) vs. food-secure students (37.1%, SD 25.6) (p < 0.001). Less than 1% of students reported participation in food assistance programs.
**Clinical Implications:** This study reveals a high prevalence of FI (22.9%) among university students at a southern European university during the COVID-19 pandemic, driven primarily by socioeconomic factors. The findings underscore that university students represent a vulnerable population often overlooked by emergency food assistance programs, as many were ineligible due to being considered dependents on parents' tax returns. The authors recommend a robust, comprehensive policy response at university, community, and/or state levels to alleviate the financial and health burden. Policies should address income stability, scholarship access, and housing support. The study also highlights the need for routine FI monitoring at tertiary education institutions and further research on how the pandemic impacted food accessibility, selection, preparation, and dietary quality in this population.