Hi,
I have a 6 month Spanish student visa which, unfortunately, expires before I’m supposed to present my dissertation.  I’ve been told (by both the local authorities in Valencia and the Spanish Consulate in Houston) that 6 month visas are impossible to extend. 

So I suppose I will try to push my dissertation up and leave Spain before it expires - but will I be able to travel in other EU countries after this?  Does anyone know an authority I could contact to inquire about this?

Muchissimas gracias!

I think, since you were on a 6 month student visa, that you could re-enter the EU and get your 90 days as a tourist following your current visa’s expiration, but I’m not 100% on that. It just make sense.

You might be able to contact your local police department for more info.