Question
I’m going to Spain for an exploration trip in 3 weeks. I’m seeking advice from people who have successfully obtained an Spain Non Lucrative Visa and have moved: what did you do during your exploration trip that you think was particularly useful in preparing for the relocation (testing out international phone service for 2-factor authentication, for example)? And possibly more important, what you wish you had done now that you have moved? BTW, I’m from the US.
Answers
These are the answers from Spainguru’s Facebook group members:
“When exploring cities we rented electric scooters to cover more ground to check out all the different neighborhoods. It’s much faster than walking. Once we found a few we liked, we used public transportation in those areas to get a feel of how in and out of that neighborhood.”
“Use idealista.es, try to find a buyer’s real estate agent or a trust worthy gestor. Normally, a real estate agent represents the seller. There is no MLS, so, you may have to work with multiple real estate agents to get more of a perspective of what is available in a city/area. Be prepared to pay 12-15% of the purchase price for taxes and fees.”
“We just got back from a 90 day exploratory trip. We stayed 30 days each in Málaga, Valencia, and Stiges, cerca de Barcelona. In one we stayed close to the city center, the other 2 we stayed near the beach… we discovered we are city center people.
We took only public transportation, we learned we CAN do workout a car. We tried to speak as much Spainish as we could, we learned we need to get a tutor 🤣🤣. We talked with both an immigration and tax attorneys while we were there.
Learned that we need to pick a region with no wealth tax. We visited lots of smaller towns in day trips. Learned we want to be in a big enough city with good public transportation and all services, especially good heath care. Lots to learn about what you like and don’t like from an exploratory trip! Have fun!”
Contact expert tax advisors and financial planners here!
“Make an appointment to get an NIE and use it to get a local bank account. If your Spanish isn’t up for it, a relocation person is very helpful.”
“you need an NIE to buy a property to buy a car, to open a bank for residency or visiting. The NIE is an ID number. You can do it yourself. We chose to get a lawyer.”
“You’ll need an appointment at a police station. We didn’t get our own and I suspect that our relocation person did it through her cl@ve, which you can’t get before you have a TIE.”
“Something to consider if you open a Spanish bank account, get clarity from your bank of choice on what the non-resident fees will be and the frequency of these fees. The NIE helps but until you’re able to provide a TIE your account will incur non-resident charges.”
“Yep, you totally can. If you don’t, you will get the NIE with the Visa, but if you want, you can get it ahead of time, along with the bank account. These are really useful to rent or buy a place.”
“The nitty gritty like phone plans, etc, can wait. What you want to do with your time in Spain is spend time in a number of places and see how they feel to you as a place to be long term. As others have said, visit as though you are living there, not as tourists. Grocery shop, take the public transportation.
Look at how the different places fit in with the things you enjoy doing. For example , If you like to bike for transportation, is there safe cycling and infrastructure? Spain has MANY different types of weather and landscape – from green and mountainous to flat and arid to rocky coastline to sandy beach coastline. See what feels right for you. Spend time in a number of areas – there is so much variety.”
The Climate and Weather in Málaga, Valencia, Madrid, Barcelona, and Bilbao
“Walk around neighborhoods to see what you like and don’t like. Go to the laundromat and the hardware store. Live as much of a day-to-day life versus tourist life as you can.
Take advantage of jet lag to scope out neighborhoods for sound levels late at night, if that’s something that will matter to you. If you have the opportunity to meet up with a local expat group take it! They can be invaluable in terms of giving you an idea of what regular life is like in an area.”
“This is a personal journey for you. Yes some basics like the phone. We kept our initial numbers and bought a spanish android where we use the Lobster service provider.
You will eventually need a spanish number. Maybe whats in the grocery stores, doctors offices. Prices for renting and to buy. The main question for us is what on earth are we going to do in Spain.
So we are studying spanish and practicing martial arts in a very nice dojo in Malaga.”
“For your international phone plan that’ll send 2 factor authentication to an American number, I very highly recommend using Tello”
“I have to agree with a few people on here. Phones and banking can all easily be overcome. It’s finding a place to settle that’s important. Is there enough life in the area? What about cultural attractions ie arts, theatre.
Is it seasonal so very quiet in winter. Is there an expat community to help you make initial friends and in roads. Is there a local language school etc etc”
“The problems of phones, banking, and paperwork are grossly overstated. Choosing a place to buy a house and make a home is the hardest part of relocating.”
“I would not do fixer property, too many issues you won’t know or discover later…try to find something that is already rehabbed and close enough to your wants and you won’t have to deal with manana time”
“About two factor authentication. I read on a forum that you could get a SMS only phone from TMobil on the US and the monthly charge is only few dollars a month, and will work forever in Spain for all your banking needs.”
“we actually had TMobile before moving and looked into that. They wouldn’t allow us on that plan. They said it’s for active duty military on overseas orders only. Basically a way to keep the lines active while overseas so when they return they can get back on a plan.
We have Tello for $5/mo and have two factor auth for SS, VA, 4 different universities, IRS, IDme, banks, etc. 0 issues. We have also made a lot of calls from it while over here. As long as your on wifi the US line works as normal. Sadly far too many hours have been spent on the VA phone line 😂”
“We never did an exploration trip 😂 But I have a few things we figured out that I wish we would have known. Make sure your phone is paid off and carrier unlocked. If not you can’t get a Esim here. And good luck calling them and doing it from here. We ported our US line to Tello and pay $5 a month for unlimited texts and 100 US mins. We really only need the texts for verification stuff. But it works great.
Don’t bother getting a cell phone plan that includes SMS. And go ahead and download Whatsapp now. iMessage and SMS are not a thing here everyone uses WhatsApp including businesses!
Make copies of important documents and place them on an external hard drive for safe keeping. Don’t bring paper copies.
A printer will somehow become your best friend after you arrive so buy one and lots of ink. Every appt here will require a ceremonial tree sacrifice.
If you plan on driving here get an AAA IDP it will be valid for 6 months after you arrive. Start working on a Spanish driver’s license immediately and get copies (right before you leave) of your US driving record and apostille them. You can use it here to get a full license instead of the provisional which carries very high insurance premiums. This doesn’t exempt you from any of the tests it’s just for insurance and points on your license.
Pick a couple regions you think you would like for weather, community, culture, etc. Then book in the larger city for a week or so and then a smaller towns and see which you prefer. We found out very quickly we really don’t like Madrid, Valencia, Barcelona, etc.”
“Something I learned from others is that Spain uses A4 paper size, not 8.5 x 11 that we use in the U.S. I understand it could be bought through Amazon or a specialty paper store. I mention this in case the documents you may be storing on the hard drive are in a 8.5 x 11 format. One of the expats who shared this tidbit was trying to print closing documents for his house being sold in the U.S. after he had relocated to Spain.”
“yes!! As someone who is a little OCD about organizing my paperwork the fact that my binder has two different size document sleeves is so irritating! But at least for printing purposes once here you can just change the paper type in word or adobe and it will adjust the document accordingly.”
“Amazing advice and, after living in Spain for over a year and three months, I agree with everything!”
“I couldn’t agree more! And a huge yes to a printer! I purchased one as soon as we got here and boy do you need it!”
“We are in Zaragoza. It’s our happy medium between everything. We are about an hour by train to Madrid and Barcelona. 2hrs by car to the beaches in Tarragona and 45min to the start of the Pyrenees and about 1.5hrs from Panticosa ski range. So easy day excursions to everything.
The city itself has everything you could need, it is the 4th largest but doesn’t feel that way. And it’s not a tourist destination, that was a big thing to us. You will have to either speak or learn Spanish here. This was a top priority for us.
The weather is all 4 seasons (minus snow although we can go sledding in about 45min). This was another draw for us. The big negative on weather is the wind! It’s windy all year 😂”
“Any documents from your home country that may be needed down the line. For us it’s things like tax returns, sale contracts for prior homes and vehicles (in case we need to prove we no longer own them), military paperwork, education related things and certificates, any medical files.”
Conclusion
The conversation on Spainguru’s Community shows that a successful scouting trip in Spain focuses less on phone plans and more on testing day-to-day life in multiple areas. Members emphasized trying public transport, exploring neighborhoods, and meeting expats to judge lifestyle fit, while also noting useful admin steps like obtaining an NIE and understanding bank fees.
Key tips included considering regional taxes, scheduling brief consultations with immigration or tax professionals, and preparing for paperwork realities such as printing needs and A4 paper. For connectivity and two-factor authentication, several members recommended low-cost US lines or services like Tello, plus WhatsApp for daily messaging.
Overall, plan your scouting trip Spain to simulate real living: shop locally, ride transit, check healthcare access, and compare big-city versus smaller-town life before deciding. This article is based on personal opinions from the Spainguru community and is not legal advice.
FAQ: Spain Non-Lucrative Visa Exploration Trip
How should I plan my exploration trip to Spain before applying for the Non-Lucrative Visa?
Spend your trip living as though you already reside in Spain. Use public transportation, shop at local supermarkets, explore multiple neighborhoods, and compare different cities or towns. Community members stress that lifestyle fit is more important than phone plans or paperwork during your scouting trip.
Is it useful to visit different regions during my scouting trip?
Yes. Spain has diverse climates, landscapes, and lifestyles. Explore urban centers, beach towns, and smaller inland areas to understand what suits you best. Many members found their ideal location only after testing several regions with different vibes.
Should I try public transportation during my exploratory visit?
Absolutely. Using buses, metros, and trains will show you how easy (or challenging) it is to get around without a car. Many expats discovered they could live comfortably without driving after testing local transit.
Is it possible to get my NIE during an exploration trip?
Yes, some travelers successfully applied for their NIE during their trip. This can help you open a Spanish bank account or prepare for renting or buying property. However, you need an appointment at the police station, and some prefer to use a relocation expert for this step.
Can I open a Spanish bank account before moving?
You can, but be aware of non-resident fees until you obtain your TIE. Ask the bank to clarify charges and frequency of fees. Having an NIE makes the process easier, but it’s not always mandatory.
What should I test regarding phone plans and two-factor authentication (2FA)?
Most expats recommend keeping your U.S. number active for verification codes using low-cost services like Tello. In Spain, WhatsApp is widely used—far more than traditional SMS. You don’t need a full Spanish plan right away; many rely on WiFi for calls and messages during their trip.
Should I meet with professionals like immigration or tax advisors during my visit?
Yes. A brief consultation can help you understand regional tax differences, visa expectations, and administrative steps. Several members highlighted the importance of choosing regions with favorable tax conditions.
Is it better to explore as a tourist or as a future resident?
You’ll get more valuable insights by living like a local: buy groceries, visit hardware stores, compare healthcare facilities, and observe noise levels at night. This approach reveals what everyday life will actually feel like.
How can I evaluate neighborhoods effectively?
Walk extensively, ride public transit, and—if possible—rent electric scooters to cover more ground. Visit at different times of day, check for noise levels, and meet local expats or community groups for honest insights.
What logistical tips should I know before moving to Spain?
Unlock your phone before leaving the U.S., make digital copies of important documents, and be prepared for Spain’s love of printed paperwork. Consider buying a printer when you arrive, as many appointments require printed documentation.
Should I consider buying property during my exploration trip?
You can start viewing properties, but remember Spain has no MLS system. Be prepared to work with multiple agents or even hire a buyer’s agent or gestor. Also note: buying a “fixer-upper” can involve more complications than expected.
What’s the most important takeaway from experienced NLV applicants?
Choosing the right place to live is the hardest—and most important—part. Paperwork, banking, and phone plans are manageable, but finding the ideal region that matches your lifestyle, climate preferences, and long-term goals requires on-the-ground exploration.
