Last Updated on April 18, 2026 by Bruno Bianchi
Building Credit in Spain as a Non-Lucrative Visa Holder
Has anyone on a Spain Non Lucrative Visa applied for and been approved for a credit card in Spain? I’m curious about the process and if I can start building credit there?
How NLV Holders Can Build Credit in Spain
These are the answers of Spainguru’s Facebook group members:
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Start the Moving to Spain Hub →“When we opened an account at Caixa for our apartment closing, they just gave us one. As soon as you have your NIE (financial number that comes with your visa), you can go to a bank and open an account.
We decided to go with N26, an online-only bank, and it’s been great for day-to-day use. It comes with a virtual card (use with your phone for contactless payments) along with an IBAN so you can pay bills electronically (which is how it’s done) on the free account. For €10, you get a physical card.”
“The N26 is a debit card, while the Caixa is a credit card.”
“Credit reports are not a thing here. Everything is based on your income. When you open a bank account, they’ll try to force a credit card on you, which you can decline. The free credit cards have a very low limit, like €250 to start.”
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Explore Cities →“My bank, Sabadell, kept offering me a credit card, so I took it.”
“I was offered a credit card when I opened my bank account with Abanca, and I took it. Granted, I very rarely use it since U.S. credit cards are so much better in terms of rewards, but I have it when I need it.”
“Yes, I was approved for a credit card with Santander.”
“My CaixaBank account comes with a credit card. It’s a basic account with charges of €35 every quarter.”
“Our Caixa account charged fees until we were offered credit cards, which made the account free. It was some sort of deal at the time.”
“I opened an account at CaixaBank and was issued both debit and credit cards. The credit cards took a couple of extra weeks.”
“Credit cards in Spain are not the same as credit cards in the U.S., but yes, you can have credit cards in Spain.”
“There is no credit score system here, so unless you need it for something specific, there isn’t much point except for interest fees.”
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Conclusion: Credit Options for NLV Holders in Spain
Based on feedback from Spainguru’s Facebook group members, it’s possible for non-lucrative visa holders to obtain a credit card in Spain after opening a bank account.
While some banks like CaixaBank, Sabadell, and Santander issue credit cards with accounts, they often come with conditions such as fees or minimum income thresholds. Online banks like N26 offer convenient options but may only provide debit cards.
It’s important to note that Spain does not operate on a credit score system as in the U.S. Instead, credit card issuance is based on income. Members emphasize that while obtaining a credit card is feasible, the benefits may be limited compared to U.S. credit cards, particularly regarding rewards.
Be prepared for potential fees and consider whether a credit card is necessary for your financial plans in Spain.
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