Last Updated on March 18, 2026 by Bruno Bianchi
Question about the non lucrative Spain visa start date
Can you arrive in Spain as a tourist ahead of your non lucrative Spain visa “start” date (assuming you are from the US and have time within the 90 day allowance?)
Answers
These are the answers of some Facebook group members:
Planning your move to Spain?
Get the free step-by-step roadmap used by 10,000+ expats — covering visas, budget, housing, and the mistakes to avoid.
Start the Moving to Spain Hub →“Yes, my agent suggested me to do that, but have to be ready to fly back to your designated consulate to get your passport stamped, then re-enter Spain within 90 days of that non lucrative Spain visa.”
“You have to enter during the dates on your Visa. If you come before you will be here on your tourist visa. You would need to leave the EU and enter back in during the entry dates. UK is close so you could go there and come back once VISA has started.”
In conclusion, it is possible to enter Spain as a tourist before the start date of your visa, as long as you are from the US and fall within the 90-day allowance. However, Spainguru’s Facebook group members suggest you must to fly back to your designated consulate to get your passport stamped when your Spanish non lucrative visa is approved, and then re-enter Spain within 90 days of your visa.
Additionally, some members suggest that if you come before, and you already have your visa conceded but has still not started, you will be in Spain on your tourist visa and therefore you would need to leave the EU and enter back in during the entry dates of your visa. An option for this can be visiting close by countries like UK and come back once Visa has started.
Not sure which city is right for you?
Compare cost of living, weather, expat community size, and lifestyle across 13 Spanish cities in our free guide.
Explore Cities →This article is based on personal experiences and is no legal advice.
Get your free step-by-step Spain move plan
10 emails over 2 weeks covering visas, budget, housing & the mistakes to avoid.
Join 10,000+ expats who used this roadmap.
100% free · No credit card · Unsubscribe anytime
