diff --git a/esphome/components/lvgl/__init__.py b/esphome/components/lvgl/__init__.py
index 6bf6e287f8..7c51d9c70d 100644
--- a/esphome/components/lvgl/__init__.py
+++ b/esphome/components/lvgl/__init__.py
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ from esphome.helpers import write_file_if_changed
 from . import defines as df, helpers, lv_validation as lvalid
 from .automation import disp_update, update_to_code
 from .defines import CONF_SKIP
-from .encoders import ENCODERS_CONFIG, encoders_to_code
+from .encoders import ENCODERS_CONFIG, encoders_to_code, initial_focus_to_code
 from .lv_validation import lv_bool, lv_images_used
 from .lvcode import LvContext, LvglComponent
 from .schemas import (
@@ -272,6 +272,7 @@ async def to_code(config):
             templ = await cg.templatable(conf[CONF_TIMEOUT], [], cg.uint32)
             idle_trigger = cg.new_Pvariable(conf[CONF_TRIGGER_ID], lv_component, templ)
             await build_automation(idle_trigger, [], conf)
+        await initial_focus_to_code(config)
 
     for comp in helpers.lvgl_components_required:
         CORE.add_define(f"USE_LVGL_{comp.upper()}")
diff --git a/esphome/components/lvgl/defines.py b/esphome/components/lvgl/defines.py
index 1c6fd2678c..e48679996b 100644
--- a/esphome/components/lvgl/defines.py
+++ b/esphome/components/lvgl/defines.py
@@ -413,6 +413,7 @@ CONF_GRID_ROW_ALIGN = "grid_row_align"
 CONF_GRID_ROWS = "grid_rows"
 CONF_HEADER_MODE = "header_mode"
 CONF_HOME = "home"
+CONF_INITIAL_FOCUS = "initial_focus"
 CONF_KEY_CODE = "key_code"
 CONF_LAYOUT = "layout"
 CONF_LEFT_BUTTON = "left_button"
diff --git a/esphome/components/lvgl/encoders.py b/esphome/components/lvgl/encoders.py
index cfd0e42996..81bcda95b4 100644
--- a/esphome/components/lvgl/encoders.py
+++ b/esphome/components/lvgl/encoders.py
@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@ from .defines import (
     CONF_DEFAULT_GROUP,
     CONF_ENCODERS,
     CONF_ENTER_BUTTON,
+    CONF_INITIAL_FOCUS,
     CONF_LEFT_BUTTON,
     CONF_LONG_PRESS_REPEAT_TIME,
     CONF_LONG_PRESS_TIME,
@@ -67,3 +68,10 @@ async def encoders_to_code(var, config):
         else:
             group = default_group
         lv.indev_set_group(lv_expr.indev_drv_register(listener.get_drv()), group)
+
+
+async def initial_focus_to_code(config):
+    for enc_conf in config[CONF_ENCODERS]:
+        if default_focus := enc_conf.get(CONF_INITIAL_FOCUS):
+            obj = await cg.get_variable(default_focus)
+            lv.group_focus_obj(obj)
diff --git a/esphome/components/lvgl/schemas.py b/esphome/components/lvgl/schemas.py
index f172ba9f2b..e4b1c3f8fa 100644
--- a/esphome/components/lvgl/schemas.py
+++ b/esphome/components/lvgl/schemas.py
@@ -14,11 +14,19 @@ from esphome.const import (
 from esphome.core import TimePeriod
 from esphome.schema_extractors import SCHEMA_EXTRACT
 
-from . import defines as df, lv_validation as lvalid, types as ty
+from . import defines as df, lv_validation as lvalid
 from .helpers import add_lv_use, requires_component, validate_printf
 from .lv_validation import lv_color, lv_font, lv_image
 from .lvcode import LvglComponent
-from .types import WidgetType, lv_group_t
+from .types import (
+    LVEncoderListener,
+    LvType,
+    WidgetType,
+    lv_group_t,
+    lv_obj_t,
+    lv_pseudo_button_t,
+    lv_style_t,
+)
 
 # this will be populated later, in __init__.py to avoid circular imports.
 WIDGET_TYPES: dict = {}
@@ -46,7 +54,7 @@ TEXT_SCHEMA = cv.Schema(
 LIST_ACTION_SCHEMA = cv.ensure_list(
     cv.maybe_simple_value(
         {
-            cv.Required(CONF_ID): cv.use_id(ty.lv_pseudo_button_t),
+            cv.Required(CONF_ID): cv.use_id(lv_pseudo_button_t),
         },
         key=CONF_ID,
     )
@@ -59,9 +67,10 @@ PRESS_TIME = cv.All(
 ENCODER_SCHEMA = cv.Schema(
     {
         cv.GenerateID(): cv.All(
-            cv.declare_id(ty.LVEncoderListener), requires_component("binary_sensor")
+            cv.declare_id(LVEncoderListener), requires_component("binary_sensor")
         ),
         cv.Optional(CONF_GROUP): cv.declare_id(lv_group_t),
+        cv.Optional(df.CONF_INITIAL_FOCUS): cv.use_id(lv_obj_t),
         cv.Optional(df.CONF_LONG_PRESS_TIME, default="400ms"): PRESS_TIME,
         cv.Optional(df.CONF_LONG_PRESS_REPEAT_TIME, default="100ms"): PRESS_TIME,
     }
@@ -161,7 +170,7 @@ STYLE_REMAP = {
 # Complete object style schema
 STYLE_SCHEMA = cv.Schema({cv.Optional(k): v for k, v in STYLE_PROPS.items()}).extend(
     {
-        cv.Optional(df.CONF_STYLES): cv.ensure_list(cv.use_id(ty.lv_style_t)),
+        cv.Optional(df.CONF_STYLES): cv.ensure_list(cv.use_id(lv_style_t)),
         cv.Optional(df.CONF_SCROLLBAR_MODE): df.LvConstant(
             "LV_SCROLLBAR_MODE_", "OFF", "ON", "ACTIVE", "AUTO"
         ).one_of,
@@ -193,12 +202,12 @@ def part_schema(widget_type: WidgetType):
     )
 
 
-def automation_schema(typ: ty.LvType):
+def automation_schema(typ: LvType):
     if typ.has_on_value:
         events = df.LV_EVENT_TRIGGERS + (CONF_ON_VALUE,)
     else:
         events = df.LV_EVENT_TRIGGERS
-    if isinstance(typ, ty.LvType):
+    if isinstance(typ, LvType):
         template = Trigger.template(typ.get_arg_type())
     else:
         template = Trigger.template()
@@ -261,7 +270,7 @@ LAYOUT_SCHEMAS = {}
 ALIGN_TO_SCHEMA = {
     cv.Optional(df.CONF_ALIGN_TO): cv.Schema(
         {
-            cv.Required(CONF_ID): cv.use_id(ty.lv_obj_t),
+            cv.Required(CONF_ID): cv.use_id(lv_obj_t),
             cv.Required(df.CONF_ALIGN): df.ALIGN_ALIGNMENTS.one_of,
             cv.Optional(df.CONF_X, default=0): lvalid.pixels_or_percent,
             cv.Optional(df.CONF_Y, default=0): lvalid.pixels_or_percent,
diff --git a/tests/components/lvgl/test.esp32-ard.yaml b/tests/components/lvgl/test.esp32-ard.yaml
index 2d6a6871ba..51593e7967 100644
--- a/tests/components/lvgl/test.esp32-ard.yaml
+++ b/tests/components/lvgl/test.esp32-ard.yaml
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ binary_sensor:
 lvgl:
   encoders:
     group: switches
+    initial_focus: button_button
     enter_button: select_button
     sensor:
       left_button: up_button