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Welcome! 

If you’ve just moved to Spain, you 

might be feeling a bit overwhelmed. 

Besides coping with a new culture and 

language, you have to sort out lots of 

practical things — a place to live, 

finances, permits and papers are just 

the beginning. 

Let the Expat Survival Guide be your 

starting point: it’s got the basic information 

you need, plus loads of helpful 

phone numbers. 

This guide is published by Expatica — 

news and information for expatriates 

and the leading voice of expatriate 

Europe. Our website 

(www.expatica.com) has a world of 

information and services to make life 

in Spain easier and more fun. 

We hope you find this guide and our 

other products useful — and we wish 

you a fantastic stay in Spain! 

Research: Zoe Dare Hall 

Additional research: Graham Keeley 

Editor: Ciaran Murphy 

Sales: David Concheso, David McGowan, 

Mike de Haan, David Davis, Mike Mazurkiewicz. 

To advertise in next year's Expat Survival 

Guide, email sales@expatica.com or call 

+31 (0)20 888 4263. 

Published December 2004 

©Expatica Communications BV 

Kruislaan 400, 1098 SM Amsterdam, Netherlands 

feedback@expatica.com www.expatica.com 

Cover pictures: Stephen Bond/Alamy, Ken 

Welsh/Alamy and Expatica 

INTRODUCTION PAGE 2 

What makes Spain tick and where is it heading? 

RELOCATION PAGE 5 

Your first few days; Residence Permits; Relocation 

Services; Social Security 

HOUSING PAGE 11 

Renting a Home; Buying a Home, City Essentials - 

Madrid and Barcelona 

MONEY PAGE 19 

Banking; Taxation; Insurance 

EDUCATION PAGE 27 

Education System; How to Choose a School; 

International Schools; Language Schools 

JOBS PAGE 38 

Work Permits; Job Searching 

HEALTH PAGE 40 

The Healthcare System 

TRANSPORT PAGE 44 

Planes, Trains and Automobiles 

SETTLING IN PAGE 50 

Utilities; Telephone, Internet; Television, Video, DVD; 

English-language Bookstores; Food from Home 

LISTINGS AND INDEX PAGE 59 

Embassies; Groups and Clubs; Phone Book Decoder; 

Weights and Measures; Emergency Numbers 

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be 

reproduced, or transmitted, in any form by any means, 

electronically or mechanically, including photocopying, 

recording or any information storage or retrieval system 

without prior written permission from the publisher. 

Requests for permission should be addressed to 

Expatica Communications, Kruislaan 400, 1098 SM, 

Amsterdam, Netherlands. Expatica makes great effort 

to ensure the accuracy of information contained in this 

guide. However, we will not be responsible for errors 

or omissions or any damages, howsoever caused, 

which result from its use, and make no warranty of 

claims as to the quality or competence of businesses or 

professionals mentioned. Company names highlighted 

in red have paid for advertising in the guide. 

Users are advised to take care when selecting professional 

services, and to use common sense in adjusting 

to life in a new country. 

WWW.EXPATICA.COM SPAIN EXPAT SURVIVAL GUIDE 1

es-intro.qxd 09/02/2005 14:54 Page 2 

2 

Introduction 

What makes Spain tick? What are the concerns of its people? Where is it 

heading and why? Here is a brief introduction to the country as it enters 2005. 

Anyone coming to live in Spain now will 

find themselves in one of the most dynamic 

and fast-moving societies in Europe. 

Much of what you might call the 'Old 

Spain' is being swept aside and a New 

Spain is rapidly emerging. 

Indeed, this is a country which, far from 

lagging behind many of its north 

European neighbours, appears to be showing 

them the lead. A broad range of social 

reforms mean that what Spain is doing 

today, the rest of Europe may do tomorrow. 

IMMIGRATION 

But perhaps immigration offers the clearest 

indicator of where Spain is going now - 

Spain has the fastest rising rate of immigration 

in Europe. 

The relentless stream of new arrivals is led 

by people from South America; then 

Africa; followed by northern and eastern 

European countries, like Britain, Germany 

and the former Soviet bloc states. 

A key question for Spaniards, and for 

those who have chosen to make Spain 

their new home, is how is Spanish society 

adapting to this change? There is no 

phrase in Spanish for 'bloody foreigner' - 

simply guiri, a gentler and more welcoming 

tone. 

Beyond linguistics, how these new expats 

are received is important as many are 

drawn to Spain by the traditionally welcoming 

Spanish people. But, some are asking, 

as Spain begins to adapt to all the 

social problems associated with mass 

immigration, will this still be the case? 

Recently, racist chanting at football matches 

has been taken by some to indicate that 

Spanish society is not used to the presence 

of black or Asian people en masse.In fact, 

tit is rather a somewhat predictable backlash 

against rising immigration which 

happened in other countries, like Britain, 

in the 1960s and 1970s. 

TERRORISM 

Another major question facing Spanish 

society now is how it comes to terms with 

the terrorist bombings in Madrid in March 

of last year. On 11 March 2004, 191 people 

were killed and more than 1,500 injured 

when four commuter trains were blownup 

by Islamic extremists linked to Al- 

Qaeda. For Spain it was a rude-awakening 

to a new age. 

It had been used to its own domestic ter- 

Spain has all the 

bustle you could want 

in cities like Madrid 

and Barcelona, but it 

also has the perfect 

escape in Mallorca 

and its other islands. 

SPAIN EXPAT SURVIVAL GUIDE WWW.EXPATICA.COM


Introduction 

rorist problem, after more than 30 years 

and 830 deaths at the hands of the Basque 

separatist movement ETA, but the bomb 

attacks in the capital were on an altogether 

different scale. And Spanish society is still 

trying to come to terms with the trauma. 

One obvious effect of the bombings was 

the way they influenced the general election 

result three days later, when the 

Socialists won a shock victory. 

YOUNG DEMOCRACY 

But why did this happen and what does it 

say about Spain? There have been various 

interpretations of why the former conservative 

government of Jose Maria Aznar 

lost. Within Spain, it appeared Aznar had 

lost the confidence of the people by 

repeatedly claiming ETA carried out the 

attacks despite mounting evidence to the 

contrary; it seemed like he was lying to his 

own people in order not to take the blame 

for making Spain a terrorist target because 

of its involvement in the Iraq invasion. 

Many in the outside world, however, saw 

things rather differently, viewing the 

Socialist election victory as a capitulation 

to the terrorists. Whatever the view, this 

was an important test of a relatively young 

democracy and the government which 

those attacks ushered in has had a dramatic 

effect on Spain in less than a year. 

Led by Prime Minister Jose Luis 

Rodriguez Zapatero, the new government 

has introduced a number of measures 

which have gone some way to banishing 

an older era in Spain. 

TRADITION CHALLENGED 

Many may think of Spain as a conservative, 

Catholic country, still recovering from 

the hangover of the Franco era. That is 

how the cliché goes. Now, 30 years after 

the death of the dictator Francisco Franco 

in 1975, Spain finally seems to be shrugging 

off some of the trappings of that time. 

New laws will make gay marriage legal, 

make divorce both much easier and faster, 

separate the Roman Catholic Church from 

involvement in state education, and crack 

down on domestic violence in what has 

traditionally been thought of as a macho 

culture. 

Barcelona has banned bullfighting, Spain's 

most controversial 'sport', starting a trend 

which could follow throughout the country. 

Also, for the first time since Franco's 

death a commission will try to establish 

what happened to those who were murdered 

or jailed illegally under his regime. 

Though Spain is littered with reminders of 

the Civil War, be they exhibitions, street 

names or simply memories, not much has 

actually been done in concrete terms to 

put right some of the still raw wounds. 

The commission is a start. 

ECONOMY 

Beyond politics, for anyone coming to 

make a new life in Spain, its growing 

economy is, perhaps, a cause for celebration. 

Two factors are key to this continued 

growth; the seemingly relentless housing 

boom and a still-healthy tourist sector, 

which was unaffected by last year's terrorist 

attacks. The property explosion in 

Spain provides knock-on effects for the 

rest of the economy. And tourism is another 

vital motor for the Spanish economy - 

Spain is now only second to France in 

terms of its popularity as a world tourist 

destination. 

But the structure of the Spanish economy 

continued on page 4 

To keep up to date with the latest news and current 

affairs - in English - visit www.expatica.com/spain 

WWW.EXPATICA.COM SPAIN EXPAT SURVIVAL GUIDE 3


4 

Introduction 

continued from page 3 

is changing; no longer is it so attractive to 

multinationals because of the low cost of 

its labour. Indeed many multi-nationals 

have left Spain, to take advantage of lower 

labour costs in eastern Europe or Asia. 

Spain knows it must change or be left 

behind; it cannot provide the cheap labour 

of less-developed countries, but it does not 

have the same advanced economy of 

France, Germany or Britain. Investing in 

research and development, something it 

has lacked in any real measure, seems to 

be the way to a future where Spain is able 

to compete with the other major European 

economic players. 

Though expats have traditionally found 

work in Spain as managers for multinationals, 

language teachers or selling property, 

there is a new breed of foreign entrepreneur 

in Spain which is starting up companies, 

mostly through the internet. 

Indeed a recent report by the Spanish 

daily El Pais said Britons, Germans and 

Chinese expats were starting up companies 

at a faster rate than the Spanish themselves. 

But these people do not just come 

to Spain to work themselves into an early 

grave; they want to enjoy what Spanish 

society has to offer. 

LIFESTYLE 

Apart from the traditional attractions of 

the climate, the Mediterranean diet and 

embracing the Spanish way of life, most 

want to enjoy the trappings of a more 

civilised quality of life. Most expats define 

this as a less-hassled life, perhaps more 

centred around the family and with most 

of the amenities they might have enjoyed 

in their own countries in a more accessible 

and affordable form. 

But beyond the glitter, what are the real 

Spaniards like? According to social surveys, 

this is increasingly a country of non- 

practising Catholics, who live together 

without marrying and have their children 

later in life. The majority don't want the 

Church to be involved in education or to 

take their taxes. 

SPONTANEOUS 

Women have been working more and 

more, though still getting paid 37 percent 

less than men. The higher rate of female 

employment has pushed the birth-rate 

down, so some leave it too late to have 

their own children and adopt from other 

countries, principally Russia and China. 

Most don't leave home until they are in 

their late-twenties or even thirties, because 

they cannot afford the soaring house 

prices and don't want to rent; a Spaniard's 

home is his castilla. 

Socially, they appear more spontaneous 

and seem to loath being locked into plans. 

The cliché comes alive here.They smoke 

more than in most countries; indeed, if 

northern Europe has a drinking culture, 

Spain has the smoking equivalent. 

There is no culture of complaining if you 

are wronged by bureaucracy. There is a 

widespread belief that if you do complain, 

nothing will change very much anyway. 

This may be a hangover from the 

Franco dictatorship or just that metaphorical 

Latin shrug of the shoulders: 'What can 

you do?' 

One thing remains central to life in Spain, 

however; there is a genuine energy here, a 

sense of a society on the move. 


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Your First Few Days 

When you first arrive, it’s tempting to just go out and explore. Do that, but 

don’t forget there’s a whole pile of paperwork to do too. Here’s a guide. 

DECIDE WHERE TO LIVE 

Deciding where to live is one of the most 

important decisions you will make, so 

check out our detailed city guides. 

See Page 11 

REGISTER WITH THE AUTHORITIES 

One of your first tasks will be to register 

yourself. Although engaging with Spanish 

bureaucracy isn’t the most enticing of 

prospects, the law requires that you go 

through the process if you are staying in 

the country. 


CONTACT THE UTILITIES 

When you are ready to move into your 

permanent home, you will need to contact 

the relevant utility companies to either 

connect you or to change the billing to 

your name. 


OPEN A BANK ACCOUNT 

One of the first things you will need to 

organise when you arrive in Spain is a 

bank account. This is a fairly straightforward 

procedure which requires your registration 

card and passport. 


FIND OUT ABOUT MEDICAL CARE 

Spain’s healthcare system has undergone a 

radical shake-up recently and has shed its 

dodgy image. It’s a good idea to look into 

what the changes will mean for you and 

your family. 


FIND A SCHOOL 

It is likely you will have thought about 

schools long before arriving. If not, you 

will need to make appointments to visit 

schools to decide which is the best option. 

The same applies for nurseries and childcare 

facilities. 


FIND A JOB 

If you are not here on an expat assignment, 

it’s likely you are going to need to 

find yourself a job. And if you are from 

outside the EU it is possible you will need 

a work permit. 


LEARN THE LANGUAGE 

Buy yourself a good phrase book if you're 

not too confident with the language or 

enrol on one of the many courses available. 


GET MOVING 

Probably sooner rather and later you will 

encounter the public transport system or 

venture onto the roads. But before you do, 

find out the rules and regulations. 


MEET PEOPLE 

Discover the shops, bars and restaurants 

in your neighbourhood or join one of the 

hundreds of expatriate groups and clubs 

in all major centres. Then you can start to 

enjoy your new life in Spain. 


Confused? For the latest news on your permit and 

visa requirements, visit www.expatica.com/spain 

WWW.EXPATICA.COM SPAIN EXPAT SURVIVAL GUIDE 5 

RELOCATION

es-relocation.qxd 08/02/2005 17:05 Page 6 

RELOCATION 

6 

Residence Cards 

Making sure you have the paperwork to stay in Spain will likely result in 

your first contact with the nation’s bureaucracy. Here’s how to be legal. 

WHAT IS A RESIDENCE CARD? 

(tarjeta de residencia) 

It is a credit card-sized ID card showing 

your photo, personal details and a fingerprint. 

In Spain it is mandatory to carry it (or 

another form of photo ID) with you at all 

times. 

EU NATIONALS 

Since 14 February 2003, EU or Swiss citizens, 

whether employed, self-employed or 

student, do not need a residence card to 

live or work in Spain. 

However, it can be very useful. It means 

you do not have to carry your passport 

around with you all the time. When you 

buy things with a credit card, you must 

show a form of photo ID such as your residence 

card. 

If you are retiring to Spain you do need to 

apply for a residence card. You will need 

proof of a private health insurance scheme 

that is valid in Spain or of the right to 

Spanish public medical treatment. 

You will also need a residence card if you 

are of independent means or if you are a 

non-EU national dependent of an EU 

(including Spanish) national. Although EU 

nationals (of non-retirement age) do not 

need a residence card, they do need a NIE - 

a tax ID number - if they intend to register 

for work, or buy a property or a car in 

Spain. See below for details. 

NON EU NATIONALS 

Non-EU nationals need a residence card to 

live in Spain for more than 90 days, 

depending on their visa. The visa can be 

renewed for a further 90 days, allowing the 

person to stay in Spain for six months in 

any year. 

US employees who pay tax and social security 

at home can work for a limited period 

(ie. the length of their visa) in Spain without 

a residence card. Before you come to 

Spain, contact your local Spanish consulate 

or embassy to check what visas or documents 

are required. US nationals should 

bring their Green Card. 

GETTING A NIE 

You can live in Spain without a residence 

card but you won't get far without a NIE. It 

should be the first thing you apply for 

when you arrive in Spain. First, get the relevant 

form from your local Comisaria or 

Oficina de Extranjeros (see list below) or 

from a gestor. 

Fill out the form, then take the original and 

a photocopy, with two passport photos and 

a letter proving why you need residency 

(eg. a letter from an employer, a copy of 

your rental contract or mortgage agreement) 

to the Oficina de Extranjeros. They 

will give you a return date to pick up your 

NIE. 

FOREIGNERS’ OFFICES: 

(Oficinas de Extranjeros) 

•Madrid: C/ General Pardiñas, 90, tel. 91 

322 6839/40/41 •Barcelona: C/ Marqués de 

la Argentera 4, tel. 93 482 0544 •Malaga: Pl. 

de Manuel Azaña, 3, tel. 95 204 6200 

•Estepona: C/ Veracruz, 2, tel. 95 280 3600 

•Fuengirola: Av. Conde San Isidro, s/n. tel. 

95 219 8368 •Marbella: Av. Arias de 

Velasco, s/n. tel. 95 276 2647 •Torremolinos: 

C/ Skal, s/n. tel. 95 237 8437 •Alicante: C/ 

San Fernando, 18, tel. 96 514 2613 

•Benidorm: C/ Apolo XI, 36, tel. 96 585 

5308 •Denia: C/ Castell d'Olimbroi, 5, tel. 

96 642 0555 

•Murcia: Avda. Ciudad de Almería, 33, tel. 

96 822 3166 

Open 9am-2pm unless otherwise stated 



Residence Cards 

GETTING A RESIDENCE CARD 

If you apply yourself, rather than employ 

the services of a gestor who will charge 

€150-250 to deal with all the residence card 

bureaucracy for you, make sure you know 

exactly what documentation is required at 

every stage. 

Otherwise, you could find yourself queuing 

for hours when you simply needed to make 

an appointment for a later date or realise 

too late that you do not have the relevant 

documents on you. 

First of all, go along to the Oficina de 

Extranjero to make an appointment. This 

will be set for about 2-3 months later. 

When you return for your appointment, 

take with you: 

•three passport size photographs 

•original and photocopy of passport 

•NIE document 

At this point, they will start processing 

your application and give you various 

forms (including one with which to pay 

your €6.31 fee at any bank - keep the 

receipt). They will also give you a date to 

return to have your thumbprint taken and 

hand in completed forms. 

Also take the remainder of your three passport 

photos. You will also need a certificado 

de empadronamiento, obtained from your 

local town hall. 

For that, you will need to show your rental 

contract and passport. 

You will be asked to return about five 

weeks later to collect your residence card. 

The rules regarding residence cards are constantly 

changing. Currently the Spanish 

authorities are legalising as many people as possible 

before clamping down some time in 2005. 

For the latest information contact the Ministry 

of the Interior (Secretaria de Estado de 

Inmigracion y Emigracion), tel: 900 150 000, 

www.dgei.mir.es. 

NON-EU NATIONALS DOCUMENTATION: 

•a passport valid for at least six months, 

relevant visas and photocopies of each. 

•official papers showing your marital status 

with a Spanish translation. 

•form 120 for employed persons and form 

140 for non-employed persons. 

•passport-size photographs (one for each 

application form); 

•proof of residence (e.g. your property 

contract, rental contract or receipts for 

rent). 

•fees, which must be paid via a bank (you 

will be given a paying-in slip). 

•medical certificate obtainable from any 

Spanish doctor. 

•official certificate of criminal record 

declaring that you don't have a criminal 

record in your home country, requested 

through your local police authorities. 

•certificate of registration confirming that 

you are resident in Spain, available from 

your country's local consulate in Spain. 

•Job contract, offer of employment or evidence 

that you meet the requirements to 

perform a particular profession in Spain, if 

self-employed 


RELOCATION


RELOCATION 

8 

Social Security 

Spain's comprehensive social security benefits cover health, sickness, 

maternity, work injuries, housing, unemployment, retirement and death. 

Most of Spain's social security spending 

goes on benefits for the elderly, disabled, 

widowed and for housing, all dealt with by 

the Instituto Nacional de Seguridad Social 

(INSS). 

Unemployment benefit is distributed by the 

Instituto Nacional de Empleo (INEM) and 

the remaining 30 percent or so of revenue is 

spent by the Instituto Nacional de Salud 

(INSALUD) on health services and by the 

Instituto de Servicios Sociales (INSERSO) 

on social services. 

For more information, contact your local 

social security office (see under Seguridad 

Social in the Yellow Pages) or the Instituto 

Nacional de la Seguridad Social, www.segsocial.es, 

tel. 900 616 200 (free information 

line). 

WHO CONTRIBUTES? 

Any foreign employee (cuenta ajena) working 

for a Spanish company or anyone who 

is self-employed (cuenta propia) should contribute 

to Spanish social security. 

You do not need to pay social security contributions 

in your home country if you are 

an employee in Spain, though agreements 

between Spain and 40 countries including 

Australia, Canada and the US mean that 

expats can remain members of their country's 

social security system for a certain 

period. 

EU nationals who are either self-employed 

or posted to Spain by their company can 

continue to pay social security in their 

home country for one year. After working 

in Spain for two years, EU nationals must 

pay contributions to the Spanish social 

security system. 

You must have lived in Spain for a limited 

period and contributed a minimum amount 

before you are entitled to benefits. 

Pensioners in Spain who receive a state 

pension from another EU country are automatically 

entitled to health benefits in 

Spain, providing your have an E121 form 

with you from your country's social security 

system. 

British expats can receive further information 

from the Department of Social Security, 

www.dwp.gov.uk, tel. 0044 191 218 7777. 

HOW DO YOU CONTRIBUTE? 

Your employer will usually deal with the 

paperwork. If not, or if you are selfemployed 

or retired with an EU state pension, 

you need to register at your local 

social security office. 

Pensioners should take copies of their E121 

form, passport, birth certificate, marriage 

certificate if applicable and proof of residence 

(rental contract or deed of sale - 

escritura). 

Once you receive your registration card 

(tarjeta sanitaria) a few weeks' later, your 

spouse and dependants are also covered. 

HOW MUCH ARE CONTRIBUTIONS? (cuotas) 

Contributions are calculated according to 

your taxable income. You start paying as 

you as you start working in Spain, whether 

resident yet or not. 

The minimum monthly salary on which 

you must pay contributions is around €450, 

depending on the type of contract and 

work sector: 37.2 per cent of that wage is 

paid in social security, only about 6.4 percent 

of that by the employee and the rest by 

the employer. 

The self-employed - even part-time workers 

- pay a minimum of €220 a month in social 

security contributions, which can be a sizeable 

chunk of a monthly wage in Spain. 


es-relocation.qxd 08/02/2005 16:44 Page 9


RELOCATION 

10 

Relocation Agencies 

Barcelona Relocation 

Services 

C/. Ganduxer No. 14 

Entrl. 4 & 5Calle Ganduxer 

No. 14 Entl. 4 & 5 

08021 Barcelona 

tel. + 34 93 203 4935 

www.barcelonarelocation.com 

Crossing Cultures S.L. 

Josep Carner 5 

08193 Bellaterra (Barcelona) 

tel. + 34 935 808 729 

info@crossing-cultures.com 

www.crossing-cultures.com 

Crown Relocations 

Ctra. de Mejorada 1, 

Planta 1, of. 1 

San Fernando de Henares 

Madrid 28830. 

tel. + 34 91 485 0600 

madrid@crownrelo.com 

www.crownrelo.com 

Etudios y Logistica ELFOS, 

S.L. 

C/Manel Farres 89 Local 2a 

08190 Sant Cugat de Vallés 

Barcelona 

tel. + 34 93 589 1344 

elfos@copc.es 

www.elfosbarcelona.com 

Executive Relocations 

España 

Avenida Mistral 10, entio, 9 

Despacho 9, 08015 

Barcelona 

tel. + 34 93 426 3288 

ehery@exerelospn.com 

www.exerelospn.com 

Gil Stauffer Relocation 

Services 

C/Mar Mediterraneo 20 

Poligono Industrial 

28830 San Fernando 

De Henares (Madrid) 

tel. + 34 91 678 49 98 

international@gilstauffer.com 

Olympic Advisors S.L 

Calle Platon 6, Atico 1 

08021 Barcelona 

tel. + 34 93 414 4000 

oasl@kaos.es/www.oasl.net 

RELOCATIONS ESPAÑA 

Relocations España is an organisation 

committed to providing a high-quality, 

personalised, yet completely professional 

relocation and cross-cultural 

services for international expatriates 

moving to Spain. 

http://www.relocationspain.com 

Madrid Office 

Arturo Soria, 263 B 

28033 Madrid (Spain) 

tel. +34 913843 900 

info@relocationspain.com 

Barcelona Office 

Duran i Bas, 1 

Alella Park 

08328 Alella 

Barcelona (Spain) 

tel. +34 902 190 317 

info@relocationspain.com 


es-housing.qxd 09/02/2005 12:27 Page 11 

Where To Live: Madrid 

Finding that little piece of heaven is never easy. Here’s a neighbourhood guide 

to the suburbs of Madrid, from the Real and posh to the real and authentic. 

LAVAPIES 

The former Jewish quarter south of the 

central Sol square is the most ethnically 

mixed of the city's neighbourhoods with 

local European, North African, Chinese, 

Pakistani and Turkish communities providing 

a bohemian ambience. Properties 

tend to be small studios and one bedroom 

flat conversions - and secured for relatively 

cheap rents - favoured by single expats 

in low-paid jobs. 

Within walking distance of the centre, 

Lavapies also has good metro and bus 

services to every corner of the city. Similar 

in mood and facilities are Malasaña and 

Chueca on the northern side of the Gran 

Vía, though both tend to be noisier at 

night. Chueca is the heart of Madrid's gay 

culture. 

CHAMARTÍN 

Located around one of Madrid's two main 

stations - this one dispatching trains to 

northern Europe - Chamartin is a spacious 

and residential area with a well-established 

expat community, favoured by couples 

or families who want comfortable 

accommodation within easy reach of the 

centre. 

Bus and metro communications are excellent 

and the latter's 1 and 9 lines are the 

most modern and comfortable in Madrid, 

taking you to the Castellana Avenue and 

AZCA financial business zones of the city 

in 15 minutes. 

Behind the wide avenues are pricey apartment 

complexes and sought-after residential 

'colonies' whose villas have private 

gardens. 

Tucked away behind Chamartín's wide 

avenues are medium to costly modern two 

to four-bedroomed apartment complexes, 

as well as a couple of secluded and 

sought-after residential "colonies" El Viso 

and Rosales. 

The local two-storey covered market is the 

most chic in Madrid and there are endless 

options for stylish cafes and restaurants. 

Socially this is a busy area too with plenty 

of international clubs, societies, churches 

and schools and the suburb's top sports 

facilities include Madrid's only Olympicsized 

indoor swimming pool. 

POZUELO DE ALARCÓN, MAJADAHONDA 

AND LAS ROZAS 

Half an hour outside the city to the north 

west is this close-knit trio of new towns 

which have been transformed from neglected 

post Civil War hamlets into large 

ultra-modern urbanisations of spacious, 

upmarket apartments, semi-detached 

houses and villas with tastefully planned 

green zones. 

Their original centres have been overhauled 

to provide banks, shops and 

restaurants (often with a north African 

rather than European influence). There are 

several international schools in the area 

and plenty of organised sports and social 

facilities. 

Properties are expensive and the zone is a 

favourite among executives with families 

seeking home comforts in a peaceful setting 

that's within easy commuting distance 

of work. Cercanías (suburban) train and 


For detailed information on managing your finances 

as an expat, visit www.expatica.com/spain 


HOUSING


HOUSING 

12 

Where To Live: Madrid 


bus services both into the capital and up 

into the mountains are excellent and for 

car owners access via the main Carretera 

de Coruña highway - best avoiding rush 

hours of 7.30am to 9am and 7pm to 9pm - 

is first rate. Rail routes in and out of the 

city are unexpectedly attractive as they 

pass through the southerly fringe of the 

pinewooded El Pardo national park. 

LA MORALEJA 

Top of the scale comes the rarefied-air 

development of La Moraleja in the north 

east of the city just below the "satellite" 

town of Alcobendas. Rental and purchase 

prices in La Moraleja are extremely high 

The Palacio de Com in the 

Plaza Cildes in Madrid is 

indicative of the granduer 

of much of the architecture. 

and its residents include the internationally 

rich and famous, including David and 

Victoria Beckham. 

Like Mirasierra to the west and Piovera to 

the south, this Madrileño version of 

Beverly Hills is a tranquil and spacious 

oasis of luxury villas with private gardens. 

Most of Madrid's best private schools and 

sports clubs can be found her, and the few 

eating spots are select and costly. 

Buses and trains run regularly from nearby 

Alcobendas to Madrid centre half an 

hour away but a private car is essential 

both for shopping in nearby commercial 

centres and for going into the city independently 

via the busy Carretera de 

Burgos N1 highway. 

To keep up-to-date with the latest news from Spain - 

in English - visit www.expatica.com/spain 



Where To Live: Barcelona 

Barcelona has the rare privilege of being a vibrant city by the sea, which is 

why so many foreigners move there. Here’s the city, suburb-by-suburb. 

CIUTAT VELLA 

The oldest, liveliest and most touristy 

neighbourhood which runs south of Placa 

Catalunya down to the sea oozes history, 

character and tourists. It may not be the 

most practical place for long-term living or 

for families as buildings tend to be tall, 

narrow and without lifts and the streets 

old, dark and impossible to get a car 

through (let alone park). But the area is 

full of atmosphere and great for young 

couples and single professionals. 

El Born is a particularly sought-after place 

to live at present, with its narrow streets of 

bars, restaurants and boutiques converging 

on the beautiful Santa Maria del Mar basilica. 

On the other side of the Ramblas is the 

Raval, a former no-go neighbourhood 

known for crime and prostitution, now 

being lapped up by artists, designers and 

musicians. Chic bars and restaurants are 

springing up on every corner and property 

is still relatively cheap. Be prepared for 

some extensive DIY though to bring these 

buildings up to scratch. 

L'EIXAMPLE 

In stark contrast to the maze of backstreets 

in the old town, Eixample boasts an immaculate 

grid of avenues, designed in 1859 to 

extend the city beyond the overcrowded 

centre. The area is conspicuously upmarket, 

with designer boutiques, tree-lined boulevards 

and wonderful Modernist buildings 

by famous Catalan architects Antoni Gaudí, 

Josep Puig i Cadafalch and Lluís Doménech 

i Montaner. 

The Eixample is divided into the left side, 

L'Eixample Esquerra and the right side, 

L'Eixample Dreta. Both have a mixture of 

high-end and more modest housing, with 

shops and restaurants galore, schools and 

other services filling the first and second 

floors of early 20th-century buildings dedicated 

to housing or office space. 

GRÀCIA 

Long the haunt of artists and free-thinkers, 

Gracia was once an independent village of 

narrow streets and small plazas until 

Barcelona swallowed it up in 1897. It 

retains that villagey feel in its shady 

squares and pretty streets of cafes, tapas 

restaurants, low-key nightspots, alternative 

theatres and quirky shops. 

Housing ranges from large, sunny flats to 

cramped spaces that have been carved out 

of one-time private homes, but in general 

renting or buying here is more affordable 

continued on page 14 

For information and contacts for all the expat groups 

and clubs in your area, visit www.expatica.com/spain 


HOUSING

es-housing.qxd 09/02/2005 12:28 Page 14 

HOUSING 

14 

Where To Live: Barcelona 


SARRIÀ AND THE ZONA ALTA 

Barcelona's most privileged address, Sarrià, 

and the larger area Zona Alta are home to 

mansions, elegant apartment blocks and the 

most expensive international schools. You'll 

need your own transport to get around 

comfortably, but the neighbourhood has a 

tranquil, residential feel impossible to find 

in other parts of the city. All housing here is 

expensive, but it's also newer and generally 

in better condition than many of the apartments 

on offer in more historic parts of 

Barcelona. For many people, a big plus of 

the Zona Alta is that it's close to the Ronda, 

the belt-like highway that circles Barcelona. 

SAN CUGAT 

An ideal place for families, the suburb of 

San Cugat is well connected to the city centre 

by the ferrocarril (regional train). The 

pace here is slower than in central 

Barcelona and while property prices are 

still high, it's possible to find a larger townhouse 

or even a small one-family home, 

something which is difficult in Barcelona. 

Forests of the Collserola mountain ridge 

make for great strolling, and the large park 

on the grounds of a Romanesque 

monastery is a good place for children to 

play. San Cugat's concentrated centre has 

all the services you need, including an 

international school. 

La Sagrada Familia, Antonio Guadi’s 

unfinished masterpiece in Barcelona. 

Looking for the lowdown on life in Spain? Visit the 

forum to talk to old hands: www.expatica.com/spain 



Buying A Home 

When you are ready to take the plunge and enter the Spanish property market, 

where do you start? Town or country, there are plenty of property options. 

With average property prices in Madrid 

and Barcelona at €3,100 per square metre, 

you will be lucky to stumble across a bargain 

anymore (properties in provincial capitals 

and small towns are about half this figure). 

Such is the demand among foreigners 

for central apartments in these cities that 

Spanish families are increasingly selling up 

and moving into something far bigger out 

of town for the same price. 

Prices are predicted to continue to rise by 

about 10 percent in 2004, though venture 

slightly inland from the coast or just outside 

of big cities and there are far more 

affordable properties to be found offering 

greater value for money. 

The appeal of buying on the coast is obvious. 

Coastal properties, as well as apartments 

in cities, also profit from a strong 

buy-to-let market. 

In Barcelona, buying a central two-bed 

apartment to rent out for €150 a night during 

the summer months will cover your 

mortgage payments nicely. 

Compared with the UK, the house-buying 

process in Spain is quick and the entire 

transaction is often complete within a 

month or two. 

CHECKING OUT THE PROPERTY 

If you are interested in a new-build property, 

which by Spanish law must come with a 

10-year guarantee, make sure you check 

plans for future developments in the area. 

Buying new-build off-plan is popular in 

Spain, especially on the Costa del Sol and 

Costa Blanca, though if you are intending 

to rent it out, do not instantly take the 

agent's claims of guaranteed year-round 

income at face value. Also consider that 

when complete, the property may not be 

worth as much as originally anticipated. 

With resales, you must ensure that you collect 

and check all the relevant documents 

from the seller before you pay your deposit. 

Also check that the sale and purchase contract 

are carefully drafted as in Spain personal 

debts, tax bills, court judgements and 

mortgages are charged against the property 

rather than the individual. 

Check on the escritura publica that the seller's 

name corresponds with the person you 

are dealing with, that the description of the 

property matches what you think you are 

buying and that the property is free from 

charges, restrictions and court orders for 

seizure. 

If the seller has a mortgage, make sure the 

payments are up to date. Otherwise the 

bank could seize the property. 

The Property Registry (www.registradores.org/principal/indexx.jsp, 

tel. 902 

201 200) can provide you with details of the 

owner and any charges on any property in 

Spain. You can pay by credit card to receive 

this information online, usually within 24 

hours. 

The website also lists details of local 

branches (search under 'Localice su registro'). 

See below for the main branch in major 

cities. 

Make sure the house is not rented out as 

you will struggle to get rid of tenants. 

Ask the building's president or whoever is 

in charge of the community of property 

owners about monthly community fees, 

whether the current owner owes anything, 

and whether any major works on the building 

are due. 

Check that the owner has paid all municipal 

real estate tax (IBI- Impuesto sobre Bienes 

Inmuebles) owed, otherwise you will foot 

the bill and penalties. 


HOUSING


HOUSING 

16 

Buying A Home 

THE BUYING PROCESS 

The are four principle stages when buying 

a house in Spain: 

1. HOLDING DEPOSIT: Once the buyer has 

established the property is free from any 

debts, he puts down a non-refundable 

deposit which takes the property off the 

market and avoids gazumping. Make sure 

you get a receipt if the deposit is paid 

directly to the developer rather than held 

in a solicitor's account. If you pull out of 

the purchase, you lose your money. 

2. SALE AND PURCHASE CONTRACT: This 

contract is drawn up a few weeks after 

you have paid the holding deposit and 

should outline: 

•name, identity number and address of 

seller. If the seller is a company then the 

company details and the particulars of its 

representative must be disclosed. 

•details of the property being sold with 

reference to its registration in the land registry. 

•description of what the property consists 

of (eg. garage, storeroom, furniture, communal 

pool, garden etc.) 

•price, terms and method of payment. 

•completion date 

•details of guarantees associated with any 

deposits or stage payments on the property 

(legally required if demanded by the 

buyer). 

•implications regarding non payments of 

stage payments or late completion. 

•legal jurisdiction. 

The remainder of the deposit, typically 10 

percent of the value of the property, is normally 

payable at this point. 

3. ESCRITURA PUBLICA: The official document 

of title deeds and transfer of ownership. 

It must be signed in front of a 

notario, an official government representative, 

who confirms the identities of the 

signing parties and that the contents of the 

document and the statements made in the 

Escritura by each of the contracting parties. 

Bear in mind that the notario does not 

guarantee that the contents are true. It is 

up to you to check the validity of the facts. 

On signing the Escritura, you must pay the 

remainder of the cost of the property. If 

the property has charges or debts attached 

to it then you should make out bankers’ 

drafts to each of your sellers creditors 

with the balance payable to him. 

Remember the debts stay with the property 

so don't rely on your seller paying off 

his obligations out of the proceeds; you 

should do it directly. 

4. REGISTRATION OF DOCUMENTS: Once 

signed, the buyer must ensure all this documentation 

is correctly registered in the 

land registry. Otherwise you could come 

up against all sorts of problems later on 

when you come to sell. It is usually best to 

ask a local gestor to take care of this for 

you. 

GETTING A MORTGAGE: 

The bank requires the following documents: 

•passport or NIE 

•work contract 

•last three payslips 

•latest income tax return 

•pre-agreement with the seller 

•proof that the property tax (IBI) on the 

house is paid up 

•details of other mortgages or loans that 

you may have 

•all property titles, both in Spain and 

overseas 

•certificate from work authorities (vida 

laboral), showing your past work history 

•records of your assets (bank/mutual fund 

statements, etc.) 

•prenuptial agreements, if applicable 

•certificate of non-residency if applicable 

(form available from the bank) 

•details of tax paid in the past year, if selfemployed 



Renting A Home 

There is little more stressful than arriving and wondering where on earth you 

are going to live. Here’s how to make the hunt for a place to rent less painful. 

Before you look at anything, establish the 

basics: whether you want to rent a room in 

a shared apartment or live alone; the maximum 

amount you are prepared to pay 

and in which area you want to live and 

how long you want to rent for. You can 

rent properties on a short-term basis, by 

the week or month, but this will cost considerably 

more. Otherwise, rental contracts 

are usually for a minimum of one 

year. 

Like any European cities, finding a property 

to rent in Madrid or Barcelona 

depends as much on striking lucky by 

being recommended somewhere through 

a contact as pounding the pavements for 

days on end before you find something 

you like. 

WHERE TO LOOK 

Make the most of anyone you know in the 

city – friends, family, distant acquaintances, 

work links – who can advise you on 

where to start and what to avoid. Check 

advertisements for apartments to rent (se 

alquila) in shop windows, on noticeboards 

in supermarkets, universities and colleges, 

expat clubs, newsletters, and bars. 

You will also see many apartments advertised 

or on lampposts. Don’t be fooled 

though by the apparent scrappiness of the 

advert. The property may still be dealt 

with by an agency, in which case you will 

have to pay their commission, which is 

usually one month’s rent for long-term 

rentals. 

The advantage of going through an 

agency is that you have a proper rental 

contract and they act as a useful gobetween 

between you and the owner if 

anything goes wrong in the apartment. 

The local and regional press is a useful 

source of accommodation adverts, usually 

on Friday and Saturday. Phone as soon as 

you spot something you are interested in 

as, particularly in Madrid or Barcelona, 

any remotely desirable property will have 

a queue of people waiting to view it. As 

with lamppost advertising, you will usually 

find there is an agent involved in newspaper 

adverts. 

If you do not speak Spanish, look at expat 

publications and websites (including 

Expatica). In Barcelona the main source of 

rental accommodation is Metropolitan 

magazine with its Catalunya Classified 

accommodation supplement, distributed 

in expat bars. 

Visit estate agents (agentes de propriedad 

inmobiliaria) in the area you are interested 

in. Most will also deal with properties to 

rent or be able to recommend letting 

agents locally. 

RENTAL COSTS 

Cities, of course, cost far more than small 

towns and villages. Then within that you 

have to consider the neighbourhood, the 

age of the building (in cities with a significant 

old town such as Barcelona, be prepared 

for endless flights of stairs and no 

lift), the size of the flat – always measured 

in square metres - and the amenities. If the 

building has a lift, the higher the apartment, 

the higher the rent generally, as you 

have more light, security and less noise. In 

a building without a lift, the higher the 

apartment, the lower the rent. It is no easy 

matter trudging up six storeys several 

times a day. 

In Madrid and Barcelona there is far 

greater demand than supply for rental 

accommodation so rents are high. For a 

two-bed unfurnished apartment of a 

decent size (eg.75m2) in a good central 

area, expect to pay around €1,200 a 

month. 


HOUSING


HOUSING 

18 

Renting A Home 

In smaller towns, rural areas and on less 

expensive coastal resorts it will be half the 

price. High rise developments (urbanizaciones) 

on the outskirts of major cities, 

where many Spanish families live, offer 

cheaper accommodation, though less aesthetic 

and practical than living centrally. 

Rents are lowest in small towns and rural 

areas, although good rented accommodation 

is often difficult to find. Check out 

public transport and other facilities before 

you are lured by a more remote rental. 

EXTRA COSTS 

Gas and electricity are unlikely to be 

included in your long-term contract, 

though community fees, property taxes 

(IBI) and water rates are usually paid by 

the owner. If you want a telephone, you 

will most likely have to install it yourself 

as few Spanish properties have a landline. 

CONTRACTS 

Rental contracts dated from January 1 

1995 must adhere to the new Law of 

Urban Lettings (Ley de Arrendamientos 

Urbanos) of 1994. A short-term contract 

(contrato de arrendimiento de temporada) 

applies to holiday lettings or anything up 

to one year. Long-term contracts are for a 

minimum of one year and usually up to 

five years. After that time the owner can 

terminate the contract, provided he gives 

the tenant 30 days' notice. Otherwise the 

contract will be automatically renewed for 

three years. 

DEPOSIT 

When you sign a rental contract, you must 

pay the landlord a desposit (fianza) equal 

to one month’s rent. This will be returned 

to you when you move out, providing you 

leave the property in the same state as it 

was in when you moved in. Make sure 

you check the inventory otherwise you 

may find chunks of your deposit moved 

for items not there in the first place. 

Many landlords, especially in big cities, 

demand additional guarantees that you 

can pay your rent. They may wish to see a 

payslip (nomima) or they may require an 

aval bancario, a letter of credit from a 

Spanish bank which guarantees that if you 

default on your payments, the bank will 

pay whatever is owed for the remainder of 

the contract. 

REPAIRS 

It is the landlord’s responsibility to keep 

the property in a fit and habitable condition 

but not to repair any damage the tenant 

causes through daily use. If you need 

to make any urgent repairs, inform the 

landlord first so that s/he can reimburse 

you of the costs. 

If repairs are required which affect health, 

hygiene and comfort in the property, the 

landlord must give you three months’ 

notice, in which time you may decide to 

end your rental agreement (by giving one 

month’s notice) or negotiate a reduced 

rental while the apartment is in a state of 

repair. 

RESCINDING THE CONTRACT 

The landlord can terminate the rental contract 

if the tenant does not pay their rent 

or deposit, sublets the property without 

the landlord’s permission, deliberately 

causes damage to the property or undertakes 

repairs without the landlord’s consent. 

Equally, the tenant may pull out of the 

rental contract if the landlord fails to make 

the necessary repairs to keep the property 

in a fit and habitable condition or disturbs 

the tenant while they are living there. 

PROBLEMS WITH YOUR LANDLORD 

Go to a Spanish lawyer to make a formal 

complaint. Then, if necessary, your lawyer 

will take the case to court (procedimiento 

civil ordinario). 


es-money.qxd 08/02/2005 17:46 Page 19 

Banking 

The currency in Spain is the euro, but the old pesetas have not been totally 

forgotten. Here’s how to open an account and pay for goods and services. 

Spain may now be a land of the euro 

(and prices bear little resemblance to 

those in the days of the peseta) but you 

will still hear many people quoting figures 

in their old currency. 

CURRENCY 

As in most EU countries, the currency in 

Spain is the euro, with 100 centimos to the 

euro, €1 and €2 coins and notes of €5, €10, 

€20, €50, €100 and higher. But it’s best not 

to flash those last ones around and certainly 

don't expect many places to be able to 

change them for anything smaller. 

OPENING AN ACCOUNT 

Once you've acquired your big wads of 

high-denomination euros, it's time to 

open a bank account. You have the choice 

of a regular bank or a savings bank (a 

Caja de Ahorros, which doesn't have 

shareholders and invests profits in social, 

educational and cultural projects). 

Internet-only accounts like ING Direct 

(www.ingdirect.es, tel. 901 020 901), 

Patagon (www.patagon.es, tel. 902 157 

213) and Uno-e (www.uno-e.es, tel. 901 

111 113) offer higher interest current 

accounts and fast access to your money. 

Opening a savings account (cuenta de 

ahorro) or current account (cuenta 

corriente) in any Spanish bank is a 

straightforward process. You simply 

need your passport or residency/ID card 

and an address in Spain and then let the 

bank manager fill in the forms for you. 

Once you make a minimum deposit of 

€20, you receive a paying book - which 

states whether you have a resident or 

non-resident account (the rates differ 

slightly). Non-residents can open a nonresident 

euro account (cuenta de euros de 

no residente) or a foreign currency 

account only. You will be sent an ATM 

card within a couple of weeks. 

You will need a bank account if you wish 

to pay bills such as water, electricity and 

telephone by direct debit. Once you give 

the company your bank's name and sort 

code you will be directly debited for 

these services. 

If you wish to stop a direct debit, visit 

your branch to ask them to cancel it and 

write to the company concerned. You 

must also write to your branch if you 

change address. 


You have the 

choice of a 

regular bank or 

a savings bank 

(a Caja de 

Ahorros, which 

doesn't have 

shareholders 

and invests 

profits in social, 

educational 

and cultural 

projects). 


MONEY


MONEY 

Banking 


BANK BRANCHES 

Bank staff and managers are strangely 

friendly in Spain. They smile and recognise 

you on subsequent visits. They may 

even know your name. 

The major national banks can be found in 

all cities and towns, but each region also 

has its own banks such as Banco de 

Andalucia, Caixa Catalunya and Banco 

de Alicante. 

Opening hours are usually 8am/9am- 

2pm on Monday-Friday and 9am-1pm on 

Saturday. You may find designated hours 

and days for paying bills (usually first 

thing in the morning). 

PAYMENT METHODS 

Cheques are rarely used. Most Spaniards 

use debit/cash cards (tarjeta de débito) or, 

even better, cash for those crucial tax fiddles. 

You should receive your debit/cash 

card and chequebook at the same time 

and your PIN number will probably be 

MAIN SPANISH BANKS 

La Caixa 

tel. 902 200 202 

www.laCaixa.es 

BBVA 

tel. 917 416 904 

www.grupobbva.com 

Grupo Banco Popular 

tel. 915 207 900 

www.bancopopular.es 

Santander Central Hispano 

tel. 902 242 424 

www.gruposantander.com 

Solbank 

tel. 2 343 999 

www.solbank.com 

given to you in a sealed envelope at the 

bank rather than posted. 

Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted 

in Spain and issued by most banks for a 

fee of between €10-25 a year or up to €60 

for a gold card. 

You can withdraw around €300 a day 

from ATMs - the major networks are 

Telebanco 4B and Servired - and obtain 

balances and mini-statements, pay bills 

and top up your mobile phone with credit. 

Although you can use your card in 

any ATM, you will be charged at any 

banks other than your own. 

You can also use non-Spanish credit or 

debit cards in cash machines, but if you 

wish to purchase goods in Spanish shops 

with a credit card you must show your 

passport or residence card. 

BANK CARD CANCELLATION NUMBERS 

If your Visa or Mastercard is stolen, tel. 

4B 902 114 400 or Servi Red 902 192 100. 

To cancel an American Express, tel. 902 

375 637. 

Spain may now be in euro-land and prices 

bear little resemblance to those in the days 

of the peseta — but you will still hear 

people quoting figures in their old currency. 

20 SPAIN EXPAT SURVIVAL GUIDE 

WWW.EXPATICA.COM

es-money.qxd 07/02/2005 15:37 Page 21


MONEY 

Taxation 

Taxes are inevitable and inevitably confusing, especially in a foreign country. 

Here is a potted guide to how to cope with Spain's fiscal system. 

The tax regime has changed dramatically 

in Spain in the past decade. It is far harder 

now to avoid paying tax and the 

penalties are high. Income tax in particular 

has risen considerably, although it 

remains lower than the EU average. 

But it is still very difficult to get consistent 

advice on what you should and 

shouldn't be paying. The rules keep 

changing, the system is complicated and 

you are likely to receive different advice 

from every tax adviser you consult. 

Foreign residents would be wise to find 

yourself an English-speaking adviser to 

explain the intricacies of your tax situation 

as it will depend upon numerous 

complicating factors such as where you 

live in Spain, whether you are resident or 

non-resident, the source of your income 

and your assets. 

The Spanish tax year runs from 1 

January to 31 December and taxes are 

levied by governments at three levels: 

centrally, regional and locally. There are 

assessment and tax collection centres in 

all provincial capital towns whose information 

section (oficina de informacion al 

contribuyente) will offer free advice and 

help you fill in your tax declaration, 

though they won't do it for you. 

WHO PAYS 

There is a difference between being a 

Spanish resident for civil purposes (ie. by 

having a residence card) and being a resident 

for tax purposes. If you live in 

Spain for more than 182 days per year, 

you are automatically considered a 

Spanish resident for tax purposes. 

This means you will be liable to pay 

income tax (Impuestos sobre la renta de las 

personal físicas, IRPF) on your worldwide 

income when you complete a declaration 

(Declaración de la Renta) during May or 

June the following year. 

Personal Income Tax starts at 17 percent 

and rises to 48 percent. It is a direct tax 

levied on the income of individuals, 

minus the expenses deductible according 

to Spanish law. At present if you earn 

less than €21,035 you do not have to fill 

in an income tax return. 

Non-residents Income Tax (IRNR) is calculated 

according to any income derived 

in Spain, including a money deposit with 

a Spanish bank, a property in Spain or 

income made from any business in 

Spain. The United States, however, is the 

only country that taxes its non-resident 

citizens on income earned abroad. 

Residents are taxed on their worldwide 

income. But you may deduct income tax 

paid in your home country to avoid double 

taxation. 

MAIN TAX OFFICES 

•C/ Guzmán el Bueno, 139, 28003 Madrid, 

tel. 91 582 67 67 

•Pza. Doctor Letamendi, 13-.23, 08007 

Barcelona, tel. 93 291 11 00 

•Ctra Malaga 174, 04700 El Ejido, Malaga, 

tel. 95 048 3311 

•Pz. de la Montañeta, 8, 03001 Alicante, 

tel. 96 514 97 00 

•C/ Cecilio Metelo, 9, 07003 Palma de 

Mallorca, tel. 971 44 88 00 

•Moll de Ponent, 1, 07701 Mahón, 

tel. 971 35 23 87 

Contact the Agencia Tributaria (tel. 901 

335 533, www.aeat.es) for details of all 

local tax offices in each region. 

For information about income tax and 

VAT refunds, tel. 901 121 224. 


WWW.EXPATICA.COM

es-money.qxd 07/02/2005 15:42 Page 23


MONEY 

24 

Taxation 

THE VARIOUS TYPES OF TAXES 

INCOME TAX - IRPF (see page 22) — 

employees' income tax is deducated at 

source by employers; self-employed 

workers pay the tax quarterly (pago fraccionado). 

Non-residents who earn money from a 

Spanish source, and non-residents who 

own property should file an income tax 

declaration. 

Residents and non-residents with income 

in Spain (other than that made from 

property letting) must make their annual 

income tax declaration between May 1 

and June 20. 

WEALTH TAX (Impuesto sobre el patrimonio) 

— payable by residents and non-residents 

on high-value capital assets, 

including property, cash in bank 

accounts, vehicles, boats, life insurance, 

jewellery, stocks and shares in Spain. 

Residents are entitled to an allowance of 

€258,435 against wealth tax. 

There is no allowance for non-residents 

who must pay tax on all their assets in 

Spain. 

PROPERTY/REAL ESTATE TAX OR RATES 

(impuesto sobre bienes inmuebles 

urbano, IBI)— paid by all property owners, 

resident or non-resident, to go 

towards street cleaning, education, council 

administration, local sports amenities 

etc. 

IBI is calculated according to the fiscal or 

rateable value of your property. 

Ask at your town hall when to pay as 

they may not send out a bill. 

WASTE COLLECTION/MAINS DRAINAGE TAX 

(basura y alcantarillado) — annual tax 

payable by all property owners. 

CAPITAL GAINS TAX (impuesto sobre 

incremento de patrimonio de la venta de 

una bien inmeuble) — residents pay 15 

percent, non-residents 35 percent of the 

profits made on the sale of property and 

other assets such as a business, antiques 

or stocks and shares in Spain. 

INHERITANCE AND GIFT TAX (impuesto 

sobre sucesiones y donaciones) — 

payable by beneficiaries within six 

months of a death if the person died in 

Spain. 

BUSINESS TAX (impuesto sobre actividades 

economicas/IAE) — paid by all 

businesses with annual turnover exceeding 

€1 million. 

COMPANY/CORPORATION TAX (impuesto 

sobre sociedades) — 35 percent on profits 

made by partnerships and registered 

companies such as Sociedad Anonima 

(SA) or Sociedad Limitada (SL). 

OFFSHORE COMPANY TAX (impuesto especial) 

— annual tax on offshore companies 

that do not declare the individual owner 

of property in Spain or the source of 

investment. 

MOTOR VEHICLE TAX (impuesto de circulacion) 

— paid by anyone who owns a 

Spanish-registered vehicle. 

The amount is based on the age and the 

power of the vehicle and the region you 

live in. 

The larger the city is, the higher the tax. 

For an average car, it costs about €60 a 

year. 

For detailed information on managing your finances 

as an expat, check out www.expatica.com/spain 


es-money.qxd 09/02/2005 15:07 Page 25 

Insurance 

The Spanish take out fewer policies than Northern Europeans, but the insurance 

market in Spain has still grown considerably over the last ten years. 

Some types of insurance are obligatory in 

Spain: third-party car insurance, thirdparty 

property liability insurance for tenants 

and home owners and mortgage life 

insurance for anyone who has a mortgage. 

Voluntary insurance includes private 

pensions, health, household, travel, car 

breakdown and life insurance. 

If you need to make an insurance claim, 

you may need to report the incident to 

the police within 24 hours. Spanish law 

is likely to differ from that of other countries 

so obtain legal advice if you need to 

make anything more than a minor claim. 

There are many foreign insurance companies, 

direct telephone insurers, insurance 

agents and brokers (corredor de 

seguros) who deal specifically with expatriates. 

Look in the Yellow Pages under 

Seguros for local details. 

In Spanish resorts you will find many 

independent British and foreign brokers. 

Shop around for quotes and ask friends 

and colleagues for recommendations to 

avoid using a disreputable company. 

Since 1994, Spanish residents can insure 

their car, home or life with any insurance 

company in the EU, with the insurer 

needing to be registered in Spain. 

Using a foreign insurance company 

means the policy and any claims will be 

written in your language. They may 

charge more than a Spanish company, 

however, and the policy may still need to 

be written under Spanish law. 

If the policy is written in Spain, get a 

legal adviser to check it before you sign 

anything. 

If you wish to cancel a policy, most companies 

request that you write to them 

with two or three months notice, otherwise 

they will automatically extend your 

policy for a further year. 

Even if your 

possessions are 

simple, home 

and contents 

insurance 

is a sound 

investment. 

There are many 

foreign 

insurance 

companies, 

telephone 

insurers, agents 

and brokers 

(corredor de 

seguros) who 

deal specifically 

with the needs 

of expatriates. 


MONEY

es-money.qxd 09/02/2005 18:31 Page 26 

MONEY 

Insurance 

HOMEOWNER'S INSURANCE 

Although homeowner's insurance (seguro 

del hogar) is not compulsory, it is advisable 

to take out cover for building damage 

(storm damage can be common in 

some parts of Spain), theft, vandalism, 

etc. Your mortgage lender may also insist 

you take out fire insurance until the loan 

is repaid. 

The price of the policy will depend on 

the value of your home, the value of the 

contents and the risks you wish to be 

covered. If you are renting a property, 

the landlord only can take out insurance 

but you, as the tenant, can insure its contents. 

LIFE INSURANCE 

A life insurance (seguro de vida) policy 

pays the beneficiary an agreed sum upon 

the death of the person whose life has 

been insured. 

If the beneficiary is named, they do not 

have to wait for the estate of the 

deceased to be distributed before they 

can receive their money. 

HEALTH INSURANCE 

Most people in Spain are covered for 

health treatment under social security, 

but more than six million Spanish residents 

take our private health insurance 

to avoid waiting lists and gain access to a 

wider range of hospitals and specialists if 

they need to. 

Always check what is included and 

excluded with any policy. Spanish companies 

have the right to cancel a policy at 

the end of the insurance period if you 

have an ongoing serious illness with high 

expenses. 

Always check what is included and 

excluded with any policy. Spanish 

companies have the right to cancel a 

policy at the end of the insurance 

period if you have an ongoing serious 

illness with high expenses. 

Many expats find that Spanish policies 

offer more limited cover than schemes in 

their own countries. 

CAR INSURANCE 

There are two types of automobile insurance 

in Spain. Third party liability insurance 

(seguro de terceros o de responsabilidad 

civil obligatoria) is the minimum mandatory 

insurance required to drive a car. It 

covers personal injury and damage to a 

third party's property (passengers and 

car). 

Then there is fully-comprehensive insurance 

(seguro a todo riesgo), which covers 

injury and damage not covered by thirdparty 

liability insurance. It also covers 

theft of the vehicle and damage of its 

contents. 

For daily news and analysis — in English — of current 

events in Spain, read www.expatica.com/spain 

26 SPAIN EXPAT SURVIVAL GUIDE 

WWW.EXPATICA.COM

es-education.qxd 08/02/2005 17:41 Page 27 

Education System 

Spain’s education system can offer a lot to the expat family, but do your 

research and find the school that is best suited to the needs of your children. 

When you reach the grand old age of five 

in Spain, it's time to go to school. But 

should your parents want to hand you 

over earlier, you will find nursery schools 

for children from as young as nine 

months. 

Parents usually need to register their children 

for the September intake in May, 

either directly at the school or via the local 

town hall. 

NURSERY EDUCATION (3-6 YEARS) 

(Educación Infantil, EI) 

Children usually receive three years of 

nursery education to develop their physical 

and mental skills. From the age of four 

they learn to read and write and by the 

time they complete their EI they will 

know the alphabet. Emphasis is placed on 

learning about various aspects of different 

cultures, the environment and road awareness 

skills 

PRIMARY EDUCATION (6-12 YEARS) 

(Educación Primaria, EP) 

The six years of primary education are 

split into three two-year periods. If the 

child has not reached the required standard 

by the end of any period they may 

have to repeat the second year of that 

stage. 

Pupils learn Spanish language, maths, 

Conocimiento del Medio (which includes 

history, geography and biology), Physical 

Education, Art and a second language, 

usually English. Religion is also taught at 

this stage in most schools, focusing on 

Catholicism. 

There is no streaming in Spain; classes are 

all mixed ability, and parents can see 

teachers once a week to discuss their 

child's progress and problems. Children 

are introduced to exams from around the 

third year of primary school, but there are 

no national level testing exams as is the 

case in the UK. 

Parents need to buy all textbooks and 

materials, but they save on uniform as few 

state schools have one. Homework may be 

given from the first year onwards. 

School hours vary depending on the 

school and are usually from 9am to 4pm 

with an hour's break for lunch. 

Some schools, however, prefer to work 

through to 1.30pm or 2pm without a break 

and then the children finish for the day. 

If your child's school day continues into 

the afternoon and you are unable to get 

home for lunchtime, school dinners are 

available. 

Prepare your child for the fact that they 

will be sizeable lunches, as it is the main 

meal of the day for Spaniards, and that 

they will be encouraged to eat it, along 

with all the Spanish children. This may be 

traumatic at first for your child, being 

made to eat strange food with names they 

don't understand. 

SECONDARY EDUCATION (12-16/18 YEARS) 

(Educacion Secundaria) 

The secondary school system in Spain has 

seen major changes in the past decade. It 

has moved away from the traditional rotelearning 

model and is now more akin to 

the British comprehensive system. 

Pupils attend secondary school (instituto) 

aged 12 to begin their four years of compulsory 

education. At the end, they 

receive a certificate and can either leave or 

go on to study for the 'bachillerato'. 



EDUCATION


EDUCATION 

28 

Education System 


If a pupil does not reach the required level 

of maths or Spanish at the end of each 

year they can be made to repeat the year, 

which can cause discipline problems when 

an older child is placed in a class of 

younger children. Subjects include the 

usual range and the ethos is now far more 

geared towards project work and continuous 

assessment than the old-style endless 

fact-learning. 

Spanish schools have a relaxed atmosphere 

with less discipline than British 

schools, for example, and the family is 

expected to help the child with their studies. 

Pupils who stay on after 16 can study for 

the two-year 'Bachillerato' academic 

course (either Arts, Humanities, Sciences 

or Technology), or enrol on practical training 

courses called 'modulos'. 

Those who have passed the Bachillerato 

with good marks and who want to go on 

to university take an entrance exam in 

June. 

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS 

For information about British English-language 

schools in Spain, contact the British 

Council, Paseo Martínez Campos, 31, 

28010 Madrid. tel. 91 337 3500, 

www.britishcouncil.es, or consult ECIS 

(00 44 1730 268244 or www.ecis.org). 

For information about American schools 

in Spain, write to the Instituto de 

Cooperación Ibero-americana, Avenida de 

los Reyes Católicos 4, 28041 Madrid (91 

583 8526). Information is also available 

from embassies in Spain. 

ENROLLING YOUR CHILD 

Foreign parents should prepare for a long 

process of enrolling their child in a 

Spanish state school. 

Go to your local town hall in the area you 

are moving to in order to ask their 

requirements as the process and paperwork 

vary quite substantially from region 

to region. 

Generally, enrolment takes place in May 

and you will need to take the child's birth 

certificate or passport with an official 

translation of the parent's passport. You 

will also need proof of the child's immunisation, 

proof of residence and two passport 

photographs. 

To enrol your child in a Spanish state secondary 

school, you need proof of convalidation 

- the official record of your child's 

education. It is best to do this before you 

move to Spain, having obtained the appropriate 

forms from the Department of 

Education at the following address: 

Ministerio de Educacion y Ciencia 

C/Alcala,34 

28014 Madrid 

tel. 91 701 8000 

Send the completed form together with 

your child's school record book and/or 

examination qualifications, plus his birth 

certificate. 

A child will not be accepted at school until 

the official papers have been received and 

stamped by the Department of Education. 

Expect the process to take between 3 and 6 

months although a receipt from the 

Ministry for the convalidation documents 

for your child should be acceptable. 

INTEGRATION 

Some primary schools in areas with large 

expat populations such as the Costa del 

Sol and Costa Blanca provide extra 

Spanish classes to bring foreign pupils up 

to speed and to minimise disruption in 

classes for the Spanish children. They may 

also encourage a pairing scheme between 

Spanish and foreign children to help new 

pupils settle in. 



Choosing A School 

Finding the right school for you children will make your time in Spain a much 

more rewarding experience. Here’s a guide to what to look out for. 

The main choice to make is whether you 

want your child to go to a Spanish school 

or an international school. 

Current figures show that 80 percent of 

expats send their children to state schools 

in Spain, an experience that allows the 

child to integrate fully in local life and 

(depending on how young they are when 

they start) be speaking the language fluently 

within a year. But immersing the 

child in a foreign language from day one 

may put pressure on them, beyond all the 

ordinary strains associated with starting a 

new school. 

An international school will enable your 

child to ease their way into school in a foreign 

country yet in familiar surroundings, 

with smaller classes taught in their language. 

But their level of Spanish may not 

be any better than if they had studied it as 

a second language back home. 

PUBLIC (STATE) SCHOOLS 

Spain's public or state schools are non-fee 

paying, though parents must pay for 

school books, school supplies and extra 

curricular activities such as sport, music 

and art. Foreign pupils can attend 

Spanish state schools, but you need a 

document known as the 'empadronamiento'. 

For this, you will need to register at 

the local town hall. Take originals and 

photocopies of your passport, proof of 

address and details of your Spanish bank 

account. 

The bureaucracy and paperwork required 

for enrolling your child in a Spanish 

school is lengthy and only manageable if 

you speak at least some Spanish. 

Spain's public schools have improved considerably 

in recent years and the qualifications 

gained are valid if your child wants 

to study at a university elsewhere, such as 

the UK. 

However, in areas with large expat communities 

such as the Costa del Sol, there is 

a growing problem of foreign pupils 

flooding schools (in Andalucia, the number 

of foreign pupils in Spanish schools 

quadrupled between 1997 and 2001). The 

result is disrupted classes, inadequate 

teaching and worse exam results as teachers 

are unable to deal with so many non- 

Spanish speaking pupils. 

Bear in mind, too, that if you send your 

child to a public school in Barcelona, most 

teaching will be in Catalan, and in the 

Alicante area a proportion of classes will 

be in Valencian. 

SPANISH PRIVATE SCHOOLS 

There are many varieties of Spanish private 

schools, some which teach entirely in 

Spanish and are subsidised by the State 

providing they have at least 25 percent 

Spanish students. Others are bilingual 

schools which place a strong emphasis on 

English. 

Most are day Catholic schools and co-educational 

with classes from Monday to 

Friday. Fees vary greatly, though they are 

generally lower than private schools in the 

UK and US. Schools in Madrid and 

Barcelona are naturally the most expensive. 

A subsidised Spanish school costs 

about €600 a year. 


Get some useful hints on navigating the bureaucratic 

jungle of Spain at www.expatica.com/spain 


EDUCATION


EDUCATION 

30 

Choosing A School 


FOREIGN SCHOOLS 

This umbrella term includes schools solely 

for expats and schools which encourage a 

mix of Spanish and foreign children. 

Classes are smaller and the atmosphere 

more relaxed than in Spanish schools. 

There is also a wider choice of academic 

subjects on offer and examination pass 

rates are high - as is the number of pupils 

going on to university. 

If you prioritise an easy transition for your 

child over integration, it is worth considering 

a foreign school. Also if you are only 

staying in Spain on a short-term contract, 

you may feel it is not worth putting your 

child through the strain of having to learn 

another language - although the immersion 

will stand them in good stead in 

future years. 

International schools vary hugely, however, 

and they are not necessarily ghettoes 

for foreign pupils. Spain has the largest 

number of 'foreign' schools of any 

European country, meaning schools where 

the majority of pupils are from the host 

nation, and many Spanish seek the prestige 

of sending their child to an Englishspeaking 

school. 

So although lessons may be in English, 

Spanish may rule in the playground. Fees 

vary from around €1,500-6,000 a year, 

with some schools in Barcelona and 

Madrid considerably more. 

American schools follow the American 

system and prepare pupils for SATs and 

college admission in the US. British 

schools study the British curriculum and 

learn Spanish as a foreign language. 

International schools take pupils from several 

different countries, including Spain, 

and prepare them for the internationallyrecognised 

bachillerato for 

university entrance. 

Spain's public schools have improved 

considerably in recent years and the 

qualifications gained are valid if 

your child wants to study at a university 

elsewhere, such as the UK. Figures show 

that 80 percent of expats send their 

children to state schools in Spain. 


es-education.qxd 07/02/2005 18:35 Page 31

es-education.qxd 09/02/2005 15:54 Page 32 

EDUCATION 

32 

School Holidays 

It’s great news for the kids, but maybe not so exciting for parents — Spain 

has among the longest school holidays of anywhere in Europe. Be prepared. 

The long summer break is a particularly 

tough test of any parent's mettle as to 

whether they can keep their child entertained 

during the hottest months with no 

school between the end of June and mid- 

September. 

Children moving up from primary to secondary 

school get an extra two weeks 

summer holiday, which usually includes 

an end-of-school trip abroad. 

HOLIDAY DATES 2004-2005 

MADRID 

Christmas: 23//12/04-7/1/05 

Easter: 21/3/05-27/3/05 

Festivals: 11/10/04, 12/10/04, 1/11/04, 

6/12/04, 7/12/04, 8/12/04, 31/1/05, 18/3/05, 

28/3/05, 16/3/05 

CATALUNYA 

Christmas: 23/12/04-9/1/05 

Easter: 19/3/05-28/3/05 

Festivals: 12/10/04, 1/11/04, 6/12/04, 8/12/04 

(2005 dates yet to be confirmed. Also two 

further festival days of school's choosing.) 

VALENCIA 

Christmas: 23/12/04-6/1/05 

Easter: 24/3/05-4/4/05 

Festivals: 11/10/04, 12/10/04, 1/11/04, 

6/12/04, 7/12/04,8/12/04, 7/1/05 

The other two main holidays are at 

Christmas, when schools breaks up for 

about two weeks, and Easter, with about 

10 days holidays. 

Half terms do not exist, though there is 

plenty of compensation in the numerous 

local festival days and non-teaching days 

(dias no lectivas, included below under 

'Festivals') to give children and teachers 

more breaks in the school year. 

SCHOOL YEAR 2004-2005 

Infants Primary Secondary 

MADRID 13/9/04-24/6/05 13/9/04-24/6/05 15/9/04-24/6/05 

CATALUNYA 15/9/04-22/6/05 15/9/04-22/6/05 15/9/04-22/6/05 

VALENCIA 9/9/04-24/6/05 9/9/04-22/6/05 17/9/04-24/6/05 

MURCIA 8/9/04-24/6/05 8/9/04-24/6/05 15/9/04-30/6/05 

ANDALUCIA 9/9/04-21/6/05 9/9/04-21/6/05 13/9/04-21/6/05 

BALEARICS 13/9/04-22/6/05 13/9/04-22/6/05 15/9/04-22/6/05 

MURCIA 

Christmas: 23/12/04-7/1/05 

Easter: 21/3/05-28/3/05 

Festivals: 12/10/04, 1/11/04, 6/12/04, 

7/12/04, 8/12/04, 19/3/05, 2/5/05, 9/6/05 

(plus local Saint's day and other local festival 

days, and three days determined by 

regional school advisory board. 

ANDALUCIA 

Christmas: 24/12/04-7/1/05 

Easter: 21/3/05-28/3/05 

Festivals: 12/10/04, 1/11/04, 6/12/04, 7/12/04 

BALEARICS 

Christmas: 24/12/04-7/1/05 

Easter: 24/3/05-1/4/05 

Festivals: 12/10/04, 1/11/04, 6/12/04, 

7/12/04,8/12/04, 28/2/05, 1/3/05 (plus two 

local fiestas and one extra day to be 

decided) 


es-education.qxd 07/02/2005 18:52 Page 33


EDUCATION 

34 

International Schools 

MADRID 

Hastings School (British) 

c/ Azulinas 8 

tel. 91 359 9913 

www.nabss.org/hastings.htm 

The American School of 

Madrid 

Apartado 80 

28080 Madrid 

tel. 91 740 1900 

www.amerschmad.org 

International College 

C/Vereda Norte, 3 

La Moraleja 

tel. 91 6502 398 

www.icsmadrid.com 

International School Of 

Madrid (British) 

Rosa Jardón, 3 

tel. 91 359 2121 

www.nabss.org/ismadrid. 

htm 

King's College (British) 

Paseo de los Andes, 35 

28761 Soto de Viñuelas 

tel. 91 803 4800 

www.kingscollege.es 

Kensington School (British) 

Av. de Bularas, 2, 28023. 

Pozuelo de Alarcon 

tel. 91 715 4797 

www.nabss.org/ken.htm 

El Enebral Montessori 

School 

Paseo de Belmas, 2, 

Collado Villalba 

tel. 91 850 1053 or 91 857 

9117 

www.nabss.org/enebral.htm 

The English Montessori 

School 

Av. LaSalle s/n, 

Aravaca 

tel. 91 357 26 67/68 or 91 307 

15 42 

www.nabss.org/montse.htm 

Runnymede College 

Calle Salvia 30 

La Moraleja 

tel. 91 650 8302 

www.runnymedecollege.com 

St Anne's School 

Avda Alfonso XIII, 162 

tel. 91 345 90 60 

www.stannesmadrid.com 

BARCELONA 

Oak House School (British) 

San Pedro Claver, 12 

tel. 93 252 40 20 

www.oakhouseschool.com 

The American School of 

Barcelona 

C/Jaume Balmes, 7 

Esplugues de Llobregat 

tel. 93 371 40 16 

www.a-s-b.com 

The British School of 

Barcelona 

C/Ginesta 26 

Castelldefels 

tel. 93 665 1584 

www.nabss.org/bsob.htm 

Benjamin Franklin School 

(American) 

C/ Martorell i Peña, 9. 

Tel.: 93 434 2380 

www.bfis.org 

Col.legi Europa International 

School 

Av. Pla del Viñet, 110 

Sant Cugat 

tel. 93 589 8420. 

www.col-legieuropa.com 

Colegio Alemán de 

Barcelona (German) 

Av. Jacint Esteva Fontanet 

105 

Esplugues 

tel. 93 371 83 00 

www.dsbarcelona.com 

ESCAAN 

Passeig de les Acàcies s/n, 

Passeig Issac Albèniz s/n 

Sitges 

tel. 93 894 20 40 

Lycée Français de Barcelona 

(French) 

c/ Bosch i Gimpera, 6-10 

tel. 93 103 79 50 

www.lfb.es 

Kensington School (British) 

c/ Cavallers 31-33 

tel. 93 203 54 57 

www.kensingtonschoolbcn. 

com. 

Colegio Japonés de 

Barcelona (Japanese) 

Camí de Can Graells, s/n 

Polígon Can Graells 

San Cugat 

tel. 93 589 33 07 

www.colegiojaponesbcn.com 

More information on clubs and groups, for children 

and adults, in your area is at www.expatica.com/spain 



International Schools 

COSTA BLANCA 

British School Alicante 

Glorieta del Reino Unido 

nº 5 

Alicante 

tel. 965 106 351 

www.bsalicante.com 

Xabia International College 

Ctra. Cabo la Nao 21 

Apartado de Correos 311 

Javea 03730 

tel. 96 647 1785 

www.xabia-internationalcollege.com 

Newton College 

Camino Viejo de Elche 

Elche 

tel. 96 661 02 38 

www.nabss.org/newton.htm 

Sierra Bernia School (British) 

La Cañeta s/n, San Rafael 

Altea/Benidorm 

tel. 96 687 51 49 

www.nabss.org/sierra.htm 

The Lady Elizabeth School 

Seniola 70 

Javea 

tel. 96 579 0252 

www.theladyelizabethschool.com 

ANDALUCIA 

Aloha College (3-18) 

Urbanización El Angel 

Nueva Andalucia 

Marbella 

tel. 95 281 41 33 

www.aloha-college.com 

Calpe College International 

School (3-18) 

Ctra de Cádiz, Km 171 

San Pedro Alcántara 

tel. 95 278 14 79 

www.calpecollegeschool. 

com 

Sotogrande International 

School 

Apartado 15, 11310 

Sotogrande 

San Roque 


www.sis.ac 

Sunny View School 

Torremolinos (British) 

C/Teruel, 32 Urb. Cerro del 

Toril Apartado 175 

29620 Torremolinos 

tel. 952 38 31 64 

www.nabss.org/sunny.htm 

The English International 

College 

Urb. Ricmar, Crtr de Cadiz- 

Malaga km 189,5 

Marbella 

tel. 95 283 1058 / 95 283 1059 

www.eic.edu 

The British College 

C/Guadalmedina s/n, 

Benalmádena Costa 

tel. 952 44 22 15 

www.thebritishcollege.com 

St Anthony's College 

(British) 

Camino de Coín Km. 5.25 

Mijas Costa 

tel. 952 47 31 66 

www.stanthonyscollege.com 

MALLORCA 

Baleares International School 

Calle Cabo Mateu Cock, 17 

07015 Palma de Mallorca 

tel. 97 140 31 61 

www.balearesint.net 

Bellver International 

Colleage 

C./ José Costa i Ferrer 5 

Marivent-Calamayor 

tel. 971 40 16 79/40 42 63 

www.bellver.baleares.net 

The Academy 

Son Ametler Vell, 16 

Marraxti 

tel.971 60 50 08 

www.theacademyschool.com 

Queens Colleage 

Juan de Saridakis, 64 

Palma De Mallorca 

tel. 971-40 10 11 

www.qcmallorca.com 

Coming to Spain with a family in tow? For all you 

need to know, visit www.expatica.com/spain 


EDUCATION


EDUCATION 

36 

Universities 

Spain’s higher education system offers international standards that will make 

studying in Spain not only a daily delight but a career boost as well. 

Spain's high number of university students 

- with women outnumbering men - 

are scattered across 75 institutions 

throughout the country, 56 of them staterun 

and 19 run by private enterprises or 

the Catholic Church. 

Salamanca University, founded in 1218, is 

the oldest university in Spain, while 

Madrid's Complutense and Barcelona's 

Central are the largest and most prestigious, 

with 103,000 and 59,000 students 

respectively. 

Malaga and Murcia also have high competition 

for places, though tough end of first 

year exams soon whittle down high student 

numbers. 

There are four levels of higher education: 

university schools (escuelas universitarias), 

which offer three-year courses such as 

vocational diplomas for teachers or nurses; 

university college (colegios 

universitarios), where you leave with a 

degree (licenciatura) at the end of three 

years; faculties (facultades), where you 

study for five to six years for the equivalent 

of an MA or MSc; and higher technical 

schools where you receive a degree in 

engineering or architecture after a period 

of 5-6 years. 

The highest level of university study is a 

PhD programme, after which you become 

a Doctor en Filosofia y Letras. 

Once you have chosen your course and 

university, you cannot change half way 

through. 

Remember, at Barcelona University courses 

may be in Catalan. 

Getting in is no easy matter as there are 

too much demand and too few places. 

Spanish students must pass the Prueba 

General de Bachillerato (PGB) with a good 

mark and then wait to hear in July 

whether they have an offer of a place to 

start that October. 

FOREIGN STUDENTS 

EU nationals have an equal right to places 

in Spanish universities and most universities 

allocate five percent of places to non- 

EU students. 

To apply, write to the student secretariat 

(vice-rectorado de alumnus) at your chosen 

university. 

British A Levels are accepted as entrance 

qualifications, but American students need 

more than a high school diploma - preferably 

a BA, BBA or BSc degree or two years 

previous study at college. 

You will need to have your qualifications 

officially approved - a process known as 

convalidation or homologation (homologación). 

For further information about entrance 

requirements and how to validate your 

qualifications, contact the Ministry of 

Education: 

Ministerio de Educación y Cultura, 

Subdirección General de Cooperación 

Internacional, Centro de Información 

sobre Reconocimiento de Títulos y 

Movilidad de Estudiantes, 

C/Alcalá 34, 28014 Madrid. 

tel. 917-018 000. Also see their website 

at www.mec.es 

FEES 

About one in seven Spanish or foreign students 

receives a grant or scholarship. 

Otherwise, fees are relatively low for residents 

and EU nationals, from €300 to 

€1,000 a year, depending on the faculty 

and location. 



Universities 

Add about €350-1000 a month for living 

costs, depending on where you are. 

Madrid and Barcelona are the most expensive 

cities to live in Spain. 

Some universities have student halls of 

residence (colegios mayores), although you 

have to fight for a place as there aren't 

enough to go round. 

Most Spanish students attend the university 

in their home town to avoid the high 

costs of renting. 

Foreign children may not be eligible for 

grants from their home countries if they 

are resident in Spain. They may also have 

to pay higher fees. 

AMERICAN AND EUROPEAN UNIVERSITIES 

At American universities such as Schiller 

International, St. Louis University and 

Suffolk, all in Madrid, classes are taught 

in English. 

The European university has branches in 

Barcelona and the University of Surrey 

(Britain) also has a branch in Madrid. 

Many foreign university students (and 

Spanish students abroad) can study in 

Spain under European Union exchange 

programmes for periods ranging from a 

few weeks to several months. 

Further information about higher education in 

Spain contact: 

University Council (Consejo de Coordinación 

Universitaria) 

Secretaría General 

Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 

28040 Madrid 

tel. 91 453 9800 

Or contact the cultural section of Spanish 

embassies. For details of all universities, see 

the Spain exchange website: www.spainexchange.com 

UNIVERSITIES IN SPAIN 

UNIVERSIDAD DE MÁLAGA 

tel: 95 213 1109 

www.uma.es 

UNIVERSIDAD DE SEVILLA 

tel: 95 455 1049 

www-en.us.es 

UNIVERSIDAD DE ALMERÍA 

tel: 95 001 5046 

www.ual.es 

UNIVERSIDAD DE MURCIA 

tel: 96 836 3620 

www.um.es 

UNIVERSIDAD DE ALICANTE 

tel: 96 590 3400 

www.ua.es 

UNIVERSITAT DE BARCELONA 

tel: 93 402 1709 

www.ub.es 


EDUCATION

es-jobs.qxd 07/02/2005 17:12 Page 38 

JOBS 

38 

Work Permits 

Preparation is key to landing in a new country and picking up work, whether in 

your profession or as a short-term option. Here’s the lowdown on work permits. 

EU residents do not need a work permit 

(permiso de trabajo) to work in Spain. Non- 

EU nationals do, however, whether an 

employee or self-employed in Spain. The 

permit will initially be valid for one year 

and then is renewable for a period of up 

to five years. 

EU NATIONALS 

EU nationals can enter Spain as a tourist 

and register with the Spanish national 

employment office (Instituto Nacional de 

Empleo - INEM) to look for a job. You 

then have 90 days to find employment - 

you can obtain an extension after that date 

or leave Spain and re-enter for a further 90 

days. 

Once you get a job, you will need your 

employment contract if you want to apply 

for a residence card. 

NON-EU NATIONALS 

Before coming to Spain, non-EU nationals 

must obtain a visa (visado) from the 

Spanish consulate in their home country 

to work, study or live in Spain. 

Once in Spain, you must apply for a work 

permit at the provincial office of the 

Ministry of Labour (Delegación Provincial 

del Ministerio de Trabajo) or at your local 

Foreigners' Office (Oficina de Extranjero - 

see list under 'Residence Cards' in this 

guide). If you already have a prospective 

employer, they will probably deal with all 

of this process. Then the provincial labour 

offices (Direcciones Provinciales de 

Trabajo, Seguridad Social y Asuntos 

Sociales) will decide whether to issue the 

work permit. 

Any job must be advertised to EU citizens 

through the INEM before a non-EU citizen 

can be offered the post and a work permit 

will only be granted if it can be demonstrated 

that no unemployed EU national is 

available for the position. 

Priority is then given to non-EU nationals 

who are married or closely related to a 

Spaniard, who previously held Spanish 

nationality, or who come from Latin 

America, Andorra, the Philippines, 

Equatorial Guinea or Portugal. Jews of 

Spanish origin, the family of a work permit 

holder, and anyone who was born in 

Spain, is living legally in Spain or has 

been resident here for five years is also 

given priority. 

Non-EU students in Spain require a temporary 

work permit, available from INEM 

offices (www.inem.es). The type of work 

Before coming 

to Spain, non-EU 

nationals must 

obtain a visa 

(visado) from 

the Spanish 

consulate in 

their home 

country to work, 

study or live 

in Spain. 


es-jobs.qxd 09/02/2005 18:32 Page 39 

Work Permits 

permit you apply depends upon the job, 

whether it is a permanent or temporary 

position, and the region within which you 

are planning to work. 

TYPES OF WORK PERMIT 

EMPLOYEES 

Type A: for seasonal or temporary work, 

valid for nine months and not renewable. 

Type B: it enables the foreigner to work in 

a specific profession, activity and geographic 

area, valid for one year and 

renewable. 

Type C: issued after the B permit has 

already been renewed and has expired. A 

C permit is unrestricted, allowing the foreign 

employee to work in any job anywhere 

in Spain. Valid for three years and 

renewable or can become a Permanent 

work permit. 

SELF-EMPLOYED (AUTÓNOMO) 

Type D: for self-employed people in a 

specific field of work and location. 

Valid for one year and renewable for two 

years. 

Type E: issued after the renewed D permit 

has expired, this entitles the foreign worker 

to operate in any profession, including 

self-employment, anywhere in Spain. 

Valid for three years and renewable - or 

worker may be issued with Permanent 

work permit. 

Self-employed non-EU nationals must 

show they are investing about €120,000 

in Spain to start a business or that their 

professional activity will produce a profit 

and benefit to Spain, for example by 

employing Spanish (or European Union) 

workers. 

EITHER EMPLOYED OR SELF-EMPLOYED 

Type F: for workers who cross over the 

Spanish border every day from their 

usual country of residence. Valid for five 

years and renewable. 

ESSENTIAL WORK PERMIT DOCUMENTS 

EMPLOYEES 

•Passport 

•Medical certificate 

•Certificate of criminal records issued by 

the authorities of your home country, 

except when it was presented upon application 

for the visa 

•Three passport-size photographs 

•Fiscal registration number (NIE or CIF) 

and the Social Security registration number 

of the employer 

•Offer of employment containing labour 

conditions 

•Full description of the job and the company's 

activity 

•Proof of the employer's solvency could 

also be required 

SELF-EMPLOYED 

•Copy of your valid passport 

•Certificate of criminal records issued by 

the authorities of your home country, 

except when it was presented upon application 

for the visa 

•Official medical certificate 

•Three passport-size photographs 

•Full description of the job and the company's 

activity 

•Proof of professional qualifications or 

licences if applicable, or registration to the 

Spanish Social Security system, or your 

NIE. 


JOBS

es-health.qxd 08/02/2005 17:37 Page 40 

HEALTH 

40 

Healthcare System 

Spain’s healthcare system was once a byword for shoddiness. However, that 

reputation no longer holds true for a system revamped and revitalised. 

WHO CAN BENEFIT 

EU nationals are covered for treatment by 

a reciprocal agreement with the Spanish 

public health care system. Bring an E111 

form with you, or E121 if you intend to 

live permanently in Spain. 

If you are a British citizen over 65 and 

have an E121 form, you are entitled to 

public healthcare in Spain, but it's advisable 

to seek advice from The Pension 

Service in the UK (tel. 0044 191 218 

7547/7777) as they can advise on what you 

are entitled to abroad. Also see the 'Living 

Overseas' section of their website 

www.thepensionservice.gov.uk. 

For those who plan to stay in Spain, you 

need to get an official Medical Card 

(Tarjeta de SS), also from your local Social 

Security Office. To apply, take your 

E111/E121 (if you are an EU citizen) and 

other relevant documents such as your 

residence card or passport. 

Once you start paying Social Security contributions, 

you and your family are entitled 

to free or subsidised medical and dental 

treatment on the same terms as 

Spaniards. 

To visit a public health service doctor is 

free as long as you take your social security 

card. 

Non-EU citizens in Spain should contact 

their consulate before leaving their home 

country to find out what forms and documents 

are required. 

WHAT YOU GET 

Medical care in Spain is administered 

through the National Health Institute 

(Instituto Nacional de Salud, INSALUD) and 

benefits include general and specialist 

medical care, hospitalisation, laboratory 

services, discounted drugs and medicines, 

basic dental care, maternity care, appliances 

and transportation. 

However, social security covers only 

around 75 percent of the cost of treatment 

and the other 25 percent must be paid by 

the patient or a supplementary insurance 

scheme. Completely free treatment is 

available only in certain hospitals, where 

waiting lists are very long. Members must 

also pay a percentage of the cost of certain 

treatment and items such as drugs and 

medicines. 

DOCTORS 

You may choose a doctor, not necessarily 

the one in your area, and you are entitled 

to change practices. It is always best to go 

with a recommendation from a friend or 

neighbour. 

If you are unable to visit the surgery, a 

doctor will visit you at home at any time 

of day or night. 

If you need a doctor or medicine in a nonurgent 

situation and are unable to contact 

a doctor, ring the telephone information 

service 1003 or your local police station, 

either of whom will give you the telephone 

number of a doctor on call or the 

address of the pharmacy that is open. 

You may also choose to go to a healthcare 

centre (centro de salud), which usually has 

about half a dozen doctors. They try to 

ensure you see the same doctor, although 

it doesn't always happen. You need to 

make an appointment first. 

All healthcare centres are listed in the 

Yellow Pages (www.paginasamarillas.es). 

Take your E111/E121 or your medical 

card. You do not need to pay your doctor 

for a consultation, or when referred to a 



Healthcare System 

specialist. In Madrid, English-speaking 

doctors are available at the Anglo- 

American Medical Unit, c/Conde de 

Aranda 1, tel. 91 435 1823, open Monday- 

Friday 9am-8pm, and on Saturday from 

10am-3pm. 

DENTISTS 

Unless you have private health insurance 

which covers dental work, you must pay 

for treatment at the dentist. 

This is not overly expensive though, and 

as with many businesses and services in 

Spain, if you need time to pay, most dentists 

will allow the freedom to pay later 

rather than making you pay on the day of 

consultation. 

The dental service in Spain is generally 

very good and efficient, with most practitioners 

having access to the latest in dental 

technology. 

You do not have to show any forms when 

visiting the dentist - simply make an 

appointment. It is, however, always advisable 

to take some form of identification 

with you. 

HOSPITALS 

Hospitals are generally very good, with an 

efficient and fairly rapid service. If it is an 

emergency you do not, of course, have to 

be referred by a doctor, but make sure you 

take your E111/E121 form or medical card 

and a form of ID. 

You do not have to pay for any service 

other than prescriptions (if you are not a 

pensioner). 

If you have to stay in hospital and do not 

speak Spanish, you will find that even in 

smaller cities there are usually a couple of 

doctors and a nurse or two who can speak 

English, to varying levels. It is always 

wise, though, to take along a dictionary, 

just in case. 

USEFUL CONTACTS 

Ministry of Health (Ministerio de 

Sanidad y Consumo), tel. 901 400 100. 

English/Spanish/French website: 

www.msc.es 

Instituto Nacional de la Salud 

C/ Alcalá, 56, 28014 Madrid. 

tel. 91 338 0000 

Instituto Nacional de la Seguridad Social 

C/ Padre Damián, 4 

28036 Madrid. 

tel: 91 568 8300 or freecall 900 166 565 

www.seg-social.es 

Contact your local office of the National 

Social Security Institute for a list of all 

national health centres and hospitals. 

PHARMACIES 

Pharmacies are plentiful and marked with 

a large green cross. You can buy many 

medicines over the counter in Spain that 

you may not have been able to at home, 

but if you are a pensioner it would be 

cheaper and more advisable to see your 

doctor and to get a prescription from him. 

Each item is priced differently but still a 

lot cheaper than prescription items in 

most counties. Pharmacies usually open 

from 9.30am-2pm and from 5-9.30pm 

Mondays to Fridays and from 9.30am- 

5.30pm on Saturdays. Even in small villages 

there will be a 24-hour pharmacy or 

contact number. 

EMERGENCY TREATMENT 

Throughout Spain the number to call for a 

medical emergency is 061. In each 

province however it would be wise to 

familiarise yourself with the address of 

your nearest hospital and its own emergency 

number. In any city there is more 

than one hospital for accidents and emergencies. 


HEALTH


HEALTH 

Hospitals 

MADRID 

Ambulances: 112, 915 884 

500 or 915 222 222 

Hospital La Paz 

Paseo de de Castellena, no. 

261 

28046 Madrid 

tel. 917 277 000 

Hospital Clinica Puerta de 

Hierro del Insalud 

c/- San Martin de Porres, 4 

28035 Madrid 

tel. 913 164 040 

Hospital de Madrid 

Plaza Conde del Valle de 

Suchil, 16 

28015 Madrid 


Hospital de Cantoblanco 

Ctra. Colmenar Viejo, KM. 

14,500 

28049 Madrid 

tel.: 915 867 555 

BARCELONA 

Ambulances: 061 or 93 300 

2020 

LOCAL HEALTH CENTRES 

(see Yellow Pages under 

Centros de Salud for a full 

list of health centres) 

Madrid: tel. 91 566 1008/1104 

(www.comadrid.es/sanidad 

/srs/index.htm) 

Barcelona: tel. 93 329 4495 

Marbella: tel. 95 282 6596 

Hospital Vall de Hebron 

Paseig de la Vall de Hebron, 

no. 119 

08035 Barcelona 

tel. 932 746 000 

Hospital Creu Roja 

Carrer del Dos de Maig 301 

tel. 93 507 2700 

Hospital de la Santa Creu I 

de Sant Pau 

Carrer de Sant Antoni 

Maria Claret 167 

tel. 93 291 9000 

Hospital del Mar 

Paseig Marítim, 25-29 


tel. 932 483 051 

Hospital Universitari 

Germans Trias i Pujol 

Ctra. del Canyet s/n 


tel. 934 978 900 

Costa del Sol Hospital 

Hospital Costa del Sol 

Ctra. Nacional 340 Km 187 

29600 Marbella 

tel. 95 282 8250 

www.hcs.es 

Hospital Marítimo de 

Torremolinos 

C/Sanatorio 5 

Torremolinos 

tel. 951 032 000 

www.hospitalmaritimo.com 

ALICANTE 

Hospital General de 

Alicante 

Pintor Baeza 

tel. 96 593 8300 

BENIDORM 

Hospital de la Vila Joiosa 

Pla d'Aljuv 

Villajoyosa 

tel. 96 685 9800 

MALLORCA 

Hospital Son Dureta 

Emergencies 

Andrea Doria 55 

07014 Palma de Mallorca 

www.hsd.es 

tel. 971 175 012 

Hospital Manacor 

Emergencies 

Ctra Manacor-Alcudia s/n 

tel. 971 847 060 

Malaga: tel. 95 260 4266 

Fuengirola: tel. 95 246 8945 

Torremolinos: tel. 952386484 

Alicante: tel. 96 514 3587 

Benidorm: tel. 96 680 3802 

Calpe: tel. 96 583 50 11 

Denia: tel. 96 578 08 56 

Torrevieja: tel. 96 670 08 77 

Menorca (Mahon): tel. 971 35 29 90 

For detailed information on the community services 

in your area, check out www.expatica.com/spain 


WWW.EXPATICA.COM

es-health.qxd 15/02/2005 10:54 Page 43

es-transport.qxd 09/02/2005 13:47 Page 44 

TRANSPORT 

44 

Public Transport 

Spain has one of the most highly efficient public transport system in Europe. 

Here is a basic guide to getting around on its trains, planes, buses and taxis. 

PLANES 

Spain's national airline is Iberia 

(www.iberia.es, tel. 902 400 500), which 

operates international and national flights. 

Domestic flights may be cheaper with 

budget airlines Spanair (www.spanair.es, 

tel. 902 131 415) or Air Europa (www.aireuropa.com, 

tel. 902 40 15 01). 

TRAINS 

RENFE (www.renfe.es, tel. 902 240 202) 

operates the Spanish national train network. 

Smaller towns are served by regional 

networks such as FFCC in Catalunya. 

The high speed train - AVE - service is 

constantly being improved and extended 

considerably so that by 2007 all provincial 

capitals will be within a four-hour journey 

of Madrid and all provinces within six 

and a half hours from Barcelona. A full 

refund is offered if an AVE train arrives 

more than five minutes late at its destination. 

On any route you will find a variety 

of trains whose travel time to your destination 

can vary enormously. Make sure 

you realise this before you board, as you 

may find yourself on a slow one which 

stops at every station en route. 

Fares are cheap - about €0.60 per 10km for 

second class, €1 per 10km for first class - 

though they vary wildly according to the 

train's speed and comfort. Talgo trains are 

long-distance trains, though slower than 

the AVE, sometimes with sleepers (cochescama) 

for overnight journeys. The Talgo 

TEE operates international routes. 

Intercity (IC) trains are air-conditioned 

and fast, while Electrotren (ELT) and Tren 

Electrico Regional (TER) are slightly slower 

than the Talgo. 

Suburban commuter trains (cercanías) stop 

at all stations. A regional express or 

interurbano is a second class, air-condi- 

tioned diesel train and an exprés is a slow 

night train, usually with sleeping cars. A 

rápido is a daytime version of the exprés, 

but neither are particularly fast. 

BUYING TRAIN TICKETS 

Buying tickets is always confusing, given 

the range of trains, routes and fares on 

offer - and the ticket office clerk may not 

offer you, or know about, the cheapest 

options so make sure you ask. 

Fares for long-distance and high-speed 

trains are published in leaflets available 

from stations and RENFE offices and all 

fare information is available on the 

RENFE website (www.renfe.es). Children 

under four travel free and those aged 

between 4 and 12 travel for half price. 

You can buy tickets at station ticket windows 

(taquillas de billetes), from machines 

(máquinas de billetes), at RENFE offices and 

RENFE appointed travel agents or online. 

For the latter, however, you will need a 

password which requires calling RENFE 

(tel. 902-157 507). 

RENFE also provides a telephone booking 

service (tel. 902-240 202) open from 5am to 

11.50pm and tickets can be delivered to 

addresses in Barcelona, Madrid, Seville 

and Valencia. Otherwise you have to collect 

your tickets yourself directly from a 

train station. 

There are two classes on most long-distance 

trains: first class (primera clase, 

shown as 1ª) and second class (segunda 

clase, shown as 2ª). AVE trains usually 

have three fare classes: turista (T-tourist), 

preferente (P-business) and club (C-first) 

and some trains such as IC and TEE international 

trains are first class only. Avoid 

travelling on public holidays and long 

weekends (puentes) as the trains will be 

fully packed. 



Public Transport MADRID 

For details of season tickets (abonos) and 

special discount (descuento) tickets, including 

for students, OAPS or commuters, ask 

at the information or ticket office at any 

railway station. 

BUSES 

The bus (autobús) service in Spain's cities 

and towns and the long-distance coach 

(autocar) service are excellent. Make sure 

you establish which station they leave 

from, as there are often several (especially 

in Madrid). All buses are no-smoking. 

Buy a ticket from the ticket office or 

machine before you board or from the 

driver as you enter the bus. 

In cities, buses usually run from around 

6am to 11pm and then a night service 

takes over. In rural areas and resorts services 

are usually more erratic, with a few 

buses a day and a long break taken for 

lunch. 

However, they usually run on time. 

Timetables are often published in local 

free newspapers and magazines. 

For long-distance bus travel Alsa-Enatcar 

(www.alsa.es, tel. 902 422 242) is the 

largest company. Other companies include 

Auto Res (www.auto-res.net, tel. 902 020 

603) and Continental-Auto (www.continental-auto.es, 

tel. 902 330 400). 

Inter-city buses are usually faster than 

trains and cost less. A bus from Madrid to 

Barcelona costs about €56 and from 

Madrid to Alicante €42. 

TAXIS 

Taxi fares in Madrid and Barcelona are 

moderate in comparison to other 

European cities and run off a meter. They 

can be hailed in the street: look for a green 

light and a 'libre' sign on the roof. It is not 

usual to tip taxi drivers, though they won't 

say no if you try. 

AIRPORT: From Barajas International airport 

(tel. 902 404 704), 16km east of 

Madrid, you can take a bus (€3 to Plaza 

Colon) or metro (Line 8, €1.15) into the 

centre of Madrid. The metro takes 15-30 

minutes and the bus 30-45 minutes. The 

bus runs from 5.30am-9.30pm. Taxis from 

the airport to the centre of Madrid cost 

about €20. 

BUSES: Madrid has a highly efficient and 

cheap bus network. A single trip costs 

€1.10 or a book of 10 tickets costs €6, available 

from bus offices and tobacconists. 

The main bus station for international and 

long-distance travel is the Estación Sur de 

Autobuses (tel. 91 468 4200), south of the 

city centre. To travel to the north of Spain, 

you need to take Continental Auto buses 

(tel. 91 745 63 00) buses which depart from 

a terminal near Nuevos Ministerios metro 

and train station. Call EMT (Madrid's city 

bus company) on tel. 91 580 4260. 

METRO: The Madrid metro (info line: tel. 

902 444 403) is one of the oldest in Europe 

and the largest in Spain, with 12 lines and 

160 stations, and it is highly efficient. 

Trains runs from 6am-2am and tickets cost 

€1.10 per journey and €6 for a 10-journey 

ticket, which may include bus travel 

(metrobús). You can check-in luggage at 

Nuevos Ministerios station for the airport, 

15 minutes away. For metro information, 

see www.metromadrid.es (tel. 902 444 

403). 

TRAINS: The Spanish railway system is 

centred on Madrid, from where three 

main lines radiate out to other parts of the 

country (two extend to the French border 

and the other to Andalusia and the 

Levante). Madrid has two main stations: 

Chamartín (the largest) serving destinations 

to the north of Madrid, and Puerta 

de Atocha station (south of the Prado 

museum) serving towns to the south. 

TAXIS: tel. 91 405 55 00/91 447 51 80/91 445 

90 08 


TRANSPORT


TRANSPORT 

46 

Public Transport 

BARCELONA 

AIRPORT: Most scheduled flights arrive at 

Barcelona's El Prat de Llobregat Airport 

(tel. 93 298 3838), 12km to the south of the 

city. Easyjet also flies there, while charter 

flights and budget airline Ryanair fly to 

Catalunya's other airports Girona or Reus. 

The quickest way to get to the city centre 

is by train from the station opposite 

Terminal A. Trains to central Barcelona 

leave every 30 mins (€2.15). The Airbus 

service leaves every 15 mins and takes 

from 30-60 mins depending on the traffic. 

It costs €3.45, stops at Plaza Espana and 

terminates in Placa Catalunya. A taxi to 

central Barcelona costs about €20. 

BUSES: The main bus station is Estacio del 

Nord, Carrer d'Ali Bei 80 (tel. 93 265 6508) 

and Eurolines/Linebus (tel. 93 265 0700) 

operates the majority of services. 

Most long-distance and international services 

use the Estacio d'Autobuses de Sants 

beside Sants train station. Contact 

Eurolines/Julia Via (tel. 93 490 4000); Alsa- 

Enatcar (www.alsa.es, tel. 902 42 2242) 

also operate routes across Spain. 

TRAINS: The main station is Sants (Placa 

dels Paisos Catalans), which has a link to 

the airport and serves major Spanish cities 

and France. The Estació França (Avinguda 

del Marques de l'Argentera) has daily 

international trains to Geneva, Milan, 

Paris and Zurich. Local Rodalies trains go 

all over Catalunya and stop at every station. 

Deltas stop slightly less and 

Catalunya Expres are the fastest. For train 

RENFE information tel. 934 900 202. For 

regional routes in Catalunya, FGC 

(www.fgc.catalunya.net, tel. 93 205 1515). 

METRO: A single journey costs €1 but a T- 

10 (tarjeta multiviaje) for €6, is valid for 10 

journeys. For a month's unlimited travel, 

buy a T-mes (€39). A T-familiar is valid for 

up to 70 journeys and transferable and the 

T-joven, for under 21s, is valid for 90 days' 

unlimited travel. See: (www.tmb.net). 

TAXIS: tel. 933 300 804 

MALAGA 

AIRPORT: Malaga airport (flight information: 

tel. 952 048 484) is situated 10km 

south west of the city centre, just off the 

main N340 coast road to Estepona. The 

no.19 bus runs every 30 minutes from in 

front of Terminal B to the centre of 

Malaga, from 6.30am-11.30pm (€1). Trains 

from the airport into Malaga's Centro- 

Alameda leave every 30 minutes (€1). 

TRAINS: Malaga's RENFE station is on 

Explanada de la Estación. The regional 

network takes in Seville, Cordoba and 

Granada, and local trains to Torremolinos 

and Fuengirola leave every 30 minutes. 

BUSES: Malaga's bus station (tel. 952 350 

061) is behind the RENFE station. All 

Malaga's bus companies operate from this 

terminal. In summer arrive an hour or 

early as tickets can sell out, especially to 

Granada. Buses to Fuengirola run every 40 

minutes; to Marbella every 30 minutes. 

ALICANTE 

AIRPORT: El Altet airport (tel. 966 919 000) 

is 11km from Alicante by the A7 motorway. 

The airport bus leaves for central 

Alicante every hour and takes about 40 

minutes. A single journey costs €1.50. 

There are also a dozen buses a day from 

the airport to both Benidorm (about €3 

single journey, 1hr) and to Denia (€7, 1hr 

30mins). 

TRAINS: Alicante's main train station is 

Estacion de Madrid on Avenida 

Salamanca with trains to Madrid, Murcia 

and Valencia (tel. 902 240 202 for info.). 

Trains on the FGV line to Benidorm and 

Denia leave from the far end of Playa 

Postiguet. For info, tel. 965 262 233. 

Renfe Alicante information is at 

www.renfe.es or tel. 902 240 202. 

BUSES: The bus station for local and international 

services is on Calle Portugal (tel. 

965 130 700). For Ubesa routes within the 

province of Alicante, you can contact tel. 

96 513 0143. 



Driving 

Spanish cities are better negotiated by foot or by public transport, but you will 

need a car sometimes… and some tips on how to deal with Spanish drivers. 

A driving licence from any EU country is 

valid in Spain. You do not need a Spanish 

licence, but you will need to take your 

existing licence to the local provincial traffic 

department to be stamped and registered 

(see addresses below right). 

If you are a non-resident, you can only 

drive in Spain for six months a year. 

Anyone from a non-EU country can drive 

for six months in one calendar year on 

their existing licence but must then obtain 

a Spanish licence. 

To drive a foreign-registered car in Spain 

you must carry at all times your passport, 

current driving licence, valid insurance, 

vehicle registration document, a national 

identity plate (GB etc), two red warning 

triangles, first aid kit, fire extinguisher 

and a set of spare bulbs. 

It’s a lot to remember, but failure can 

result in a hefty fine. 

Many non-residents bring their car to 

Spain and retain their national number 

plates, though this is strictly speaking illegal 

as it is assumed that you are returning 

to country of origin and paying tax and 

MOT (vehicle registration) there. 

But anyone, from the European Union or 

otherwise, who is intending to take up 

Spanish residency can bring their car with 

them without having to pay IVA or car 

registration tax - providing you can prove 

you owned the car for at least six months 

before bringing it to Spain, that you are a 

non-resident in the country you have 

come from and you have paid VAT in the 

country where the car was purchased. 


LOCAL TRAFFIC DEPARTMENTS 

• Jefatura Provincial de Trafico de 

Madrid, Arturo Soria, 143, tel. 91 301 8500. 

Open 8.30am-1.30pm. 

• Prefectura Provincial de Transit, Gran 

Via de les Corts Catalanes, 184, Barcelona, 

tel. 93 298 6500. 


Malaga, c/Mauricio Moro Pareto 13, tel. 95 

235 7200. Open Mon-Fri 9am-2pm. 


Alicante, Ferré Vidiella 4, esquina San 

Juan Bosco, 12, tel. 96 512 5466. 

To keep up to date with the latest news and current 

affairs - in English - visit www.expatica.com/spain 


TRANSPORT


TRANSPORT 

48 

Driving 


Certificates of non-residence don't exist in 

the UK, but you can obtain them from the 

Commisaries in all main towns or at the 

consulate office in Spain. 

Residents have six months after obtaining 

their 'Residencia' to sort out legally 'importing' 

their vehicle. It's a tricky form-filling 

process which takes a few months and 

costs about 12 percent of the value of your 

car. 

SPANISH ROADS 

The quality varies from excellent on the 

main arteries to dire out in the sticks - and 

the standard of driving is equally erratic. 

Road deaths are a constant fixture on the 

Spanish television news, with 14.3 deaths 

per 100,000 population - more than double 

that of the UK. 

You only have to experience a Spanish 

motorway (autopista) to see the problem. 

Machismo still rules among male drivers 

in Spain and a favourite game is to intimidate 

anyone in the fast lane by driving 

right up to your bumper to force you to 

pull across into a slower lane. 

Motorways have an 'A' or 'E' prefix to the 

road number and are often toll roads. For 

short distances you pay at a booth (peaje) 

as you exit the road (some toll roads allow 

you to collect a ticket at the start for 

longer journeys, so you pay the total when 

you exit). 

Useable lanes will have a green arrow, 

closed lanes will be indicated with a red 

cross. Choose the lane with an attendant if 

you are not paying with a credit card or 

exact change. 

Motorways and dual carriageways 

(autovías) - fast roads but not necessarily 

with a central reservation - have a 100- 

120kph speed limit as marked. Main roads 

(carreteras nacionales) have an N or CN 

RULES OF THE ROAD 

DO... 

• expect the unexpected. The received 

wisdom is to expect the unexpected. 

• Watch out for traffic lights, which are 

invariably positioned very high up in the 

blinding sun. 

• take care at pedestrian crossings, especially 

if you are the pedestrian as cars will 

rarely stop at them. On dual carriageways 

vehicles may overtake on whichever side 

they feel like and some cars drive without 

lights when it is dark. 

• carry all documentation (passport, driving 

licence, vehicle registration form) at all 

times. You can be also be fined for not carrying 

two red warning triangles, spare 

bulbs, fire extinguisher and first aid kit. 

• give way to traffic from the left, especially 

at roundabouts. 

DON'T... 

• be surprised when a car indicating left 

turns right or doesn't indicate then turns, 

or stops without warning in the middle of 

the road, then takes off again apparently 

oblivious to anyone behind. 

• pull into the middle of the road to turn 

left if there is a solid line in the road. 

There are often special lanes for this, signposted 

cambio de sentido. 

• drink and drive - the limits are very low, 

the penalties very high and breathaliser 

tests are common. 

• speed - fines are calculated at €6 per km 

over the speed limit. 

• drive while talking on a mobile. Fines 

are heavy. 

before the road number and country roads 

(carreteras comarcales) begin with a C and 

have lower speed limits applied (though 

many drivers feel this is discretionary). 

The speed limit on country roads is 90kph, 

on urban roads 50kph and in residential 

areas 20-50kph as marked. 

For road information, tel. 900 123 505 or visit 

www.dgt.es. 



Driving 

FUEL (GASOLINA) 

At any garage you will see a choice of four 

pumps: Normal 92 octane, Super 98 octane, 

Sin plomo (unleaded) 95/98 octane and 

Diesel (gasoil/gasoleo). Attendants will usually 

come out and serve you. 

PARKING 

If the strain of driving was too much, wait 

until you try to park. In small towns, leave 

your car on the outskirts and walk in as 

otherwise you will invariably find yourself 

trapped in a maze of narrow one-way alleys 

with no hope of immediate escape. (And 

although getting lost in small Spanish 

towns is a most charming pastime to pursue 

in its own way, it does get a bit frustrating 

when you are rushing for an appointment.) 

In cities, underground car parks are by far 

the best option for when you want to park 

- they easy to enter and exit and provide 

extra security. 

Otherwise look for parking spaces marked 

in blue and buy a ticket from a machine or 

attendant. Watch out for a two-hour maximum 

parking time. Tow trucks love foreign 

cars - and it will cost you about €70 to get it 

back again. 

Avoid parking where the kerb is painted 

yellow, red or white - or where there is a no 

parking sign, obviously. 

Other signs to look out for are 

'Estacionamiento prohibido' or a red circle on 

a blue background with a red line through 

it. In some residential areas parking is permitted 

on one side of the street for the first 

half of the month (see blue and red sign 

market '1-15') while changing to the otherside 

for the remainder of the month (sign 

says '16-31'). 

When you do get out on the Spanish roads 

there is no end to the places worth 

visiting, like Alcazar Castle near Segovia 

TO APPLY FOR A SPANISH LICENCE YOU 

WILL NEED THE FOLLOWING 

• a completed application form TASA 2.3 

(available from your local traffic department) 

• Spanish residence card and photocopy 

• Current foreign drivign licence and photocopy 

(non EU residents will need an 

official translation and certificate of equivalence, 

available from the Real Automóvil 

Club de España, tel. 902 120 441, 

www.race.es) 

• registration number of a Spanish-registered 

vehicle or a sworn statement that 

you do not own a Spanish-registered vehicle 

• one passport photograph (non EU citizens 

need three, one signed by a doctor 

performing the medical examination. All 

non EU driving licence holders must 

obtain a medical certificate of fitness to 

drive) 

• €16.20, payable at the traffic department 

For further information, see the Department of 

Transport at www.dgt.es (in Spanish only). 

Want to see Spain but don’t know where to start? 

Get the inside track at www.expatica.com/spain 


TRANSPORT

es-settle.qxd 09/02/2005 11:08 Page 50 

SETTLING IN 

50 

Utilities 

Once you have found yourself a home, next you need to get everything up and 

running. Here's how to get yourself sorted out on the domestic front. 

If you're lucky, the estate agent you 

bought your property through may transfer 

all utilities to your name or accompany 

you to the relevant office for no extra 

charge. Confirm that all previous bills 

have been paid before you set up your 

accounts and make sure the account is put 

into your name from the day you move in 

to avoid any debts from the previous 

owner. 

Non-residents should also give a foreign 

address in case of any problems such as 

the bank not paying the bills. You may 

also need to pay a deposit. 

ELECTRICITY 

As soon as you buy or rent a property you 

should sign a contract with the local electricity 

company. Electricity is cheap in 

Spain and Grupo Endesa (www.endesaonline.com, 

tel. 900 737 373) is the biggest 

supplier. Regionally they are known as 

Fecsa in Catalonia (tel. 934 04 1111), 

Sevillana Endesa in Andalucia and Gesa 

(tel. 971 46 77 11) in the Balearics. 

The second biggest, Iberdrola (www.iberdrola.es, 

tel. 901 202 020) serves Madrid, 

Catalonia, the Costa Blanca and Northern 

Spain. In big cities there are others to 

choose from including Enher 

(www.enher.es, tel. 902 507 750) in 

Barcelona and Union Electrica Fenosa 

(www.uef.es, tel. 915 676 000) in Madrid. 

The electricity supply in most of Spain is 

220 volts AC with a frequency of 50 hertz 

(cycles), although some areas still have a 

110 volt supply. 

If you live in an area where power cuts are 

frequent and you depend on electricity to 

operate a computer and other equipment 

for your livelihood, you may want to 

install a backup generator. Most companies 

offer the choice of registering online 

or by telephone rather than having to go 

to their office. You will need some form of 

ID (passport or residence card), the reference 

number for your electricity supply 

(see the left hand corner of an electricity 

bill under Contrato de Suministro Nº) and 

the contract and bills paid by the previous 

owner. 

You will be billed every two months, usually 

after a meter reading but sometimes 

on the basis of an estimate, so learn to 

read your meter toc check you are not 

overpaying. 

The best way to pay is by direct debit 

(transferencia) from a Spanish bank 

account. You can also pay at a post office, 

local banks listed on the bill or at the electricity 

company's offices (in cash). 

WASTE DISPOSAL 

Spain is slowly getting into the idea of 

recycling (reciclaje) and you will see bins 

dotted around most towns to collect glass, 

paper, cardboard, aluminium, cans, plastic, 

batteries and other materials. Many 

municipalities also recycle garden waste, 

which is then sold as compost. You may 

receive leaflets through your door about 

where to take your household rubbish for 

recycling. Bins are usually emptied every 

night, except on Sundays. If your property 

has personal bins, ask neighbours when to 

put out your rubbish for collection as you 

may be fined if you leave it out too early. 

In rural areas residents may have to take 

their rubbish to a collection point out of 

town, although most urbanizaciones have 

communal bins or skips. 

Depending on whether you live in an 

urban or rural area, you will be charged 

for rubbish collection, from €30-150 a year. 

Check with your town hall and set up a 

direct debit arrangment with your bank to 

avoid fines for overdue payment. 


es-settle.qxd 16/02/2005 13:58 Page 51 

Utilities 

GAS 

At present, you will only have access to 

mains gas in major cities in Spain. When 

you move into a property with mains gas, 

contact the local gas company to switch 

the gas on, read the meter and provide a 

supply contract. You will receive a bill 

every two months, including VAT (IVA) at 

16 per cent. The most efficient method of 

payment is by direct debit from a Spanish 

bank account. 

There are various gas companies in Spain. 

Gas Natural (www.gasnatural.com, customer 

services for all areas: tel. 900 760 

760) is the main supplier to all the regions. 

Its suppliers include CEGAS in Alicante 

(tel. 900 760 760), Gas Andalucia (tel. 954 

48 01 00), Gas Natural Catalunya (tel. 93 

402 5100), Gas Natural Murcia (tel. 968 25 

07 69) and Gas Natural Madrid (tel. 91 589 

6116). Endesa (www.endesaonline.com) 

also supplies gas and has regional distributors 

including Gas Alicante (tel. 902 200 

393). 

In Madrid, there is Gas Directo (tel. 91 567 

6682). Mallorca is served by GESA Gas 

(www.gesa.es, tel. 900 303 032). 

In rural areas, bottles of gas (bombonas) are 

delivered to homes. They are incredibly 

heavy and can run out just when you need 

them, but they work out about half the 

price of mains gas in most northern 

European countries. To be supplied with 

gas bottles, you need to set up a contract 

by Repsol Butano (tel. 901 100 100; supplies 

tel. 965 710 937) with a €25 deposit. 

Each 12.5kg bottles costs about €8.50 and 

can last for a couple of months if used just 

for cooking. After an initial inspection on 

installation, Repsol Butano will service 

and inspect your gas appliances every five 

years. 

WATER 

A hot topic given the dire lack of the stuff 

in certain regions, Spain has enough water 

to supply the country. The problem is, it's 

unevenly distributed. Areas likely to see 

water shortages are the Mediterranean 

coast and the Balearics, where usage is 

heavily restricted. 

If you need to transfer a water contract 

into your name, go to the town hall with 

ID and previous bills from the former 

owner. Non-residents will need to give 

their foreign address too. 

If you need to install your own water 

heater, it must be at least 75-litre capacity. 

Water is controlled by local municipalities, 

and you will usually be charged anything 

from €50 to €300 to install water in a new 

home, or up to €1,500 in an isolated area. 

In most areas there is a standing quarterly 

charge for a minimum consumption (canon 

de consumo), even if you don't use any 

water during the billing period. 

When you receive your water bill each 

quarter, check it carefully as overcharging 

is common. To reduce costs, install a 

'water saver' for about €40, available from 

hypermarkets, DIY stores and El Corte 

Ingles. It mixes air with the water that you 

use to reduce the total amount of water 

used in your home. 

Tap water in cities is often a dubious rust 

colour and has a chemical taste, which 

would account for the millions of litres of 

bottled water consumed every year in 

Spain. 

WATER COMPANIES: 

•Barcelona: Aigües de Barcelona 

(www.aiguesdebarcelona.es) tel. 900 710 

710 

•Madrid: Canal De Isabel II (www.cyii.es) 

tel. 91 545 1000 

•Costa del Sol: Acosol (www.acosol.es) in 

Marbella area: tel. 95 283 93 29; Emasa 

(www.emasa.es), Malaga: tel. 952 135 013 

or customer service tel. 900 777 420 

•Costa Blanca: Aguas de Alicante 

(www.aguasdealicante.es) tel. 965 925 141 


SETTLING IN


SETTLING IN 

52 

Around The Home 

It can be tedious at times, but getting set up at home is something that can’t 

be put off too long. Here’s a guide to take out some of the hassle ahead. 

INSTALLING A TELEPHONE 

This is the source of greatest woe for most 

expats in Spain, because the country has 

the lowest landline phone ownership in 

the EU - with two phones per five people - 

and because of the high costs involved 

with installation and making calls, having 

a home phone is still considered a luxury 

and most people rely on mobile phones. 

Although Telefonica no longer has the 

monopoly on the telephone service and 

there are six other companies who provide 

call services including Tele 2 (tel. 901 107 

366), Uni 2 (tel. 902 011 412), Auna (tel. 

015 or 902 500 060) and Jazztel (tel. 1565), 

Telefonica owns the cabling and is the 

only company that offers local calls - so 

you will invariably find yourself dealing 

with it at some point. 

Calling Telefonica with a query is always a 

challenge as staff seem to have been 

trained to slam the phone down when 

they can't be bothered to find out the 

answer. Ask for the English department 

(servicio ingles) if you do not speak 

Spanish, or see their English website 

www.telefonicainenglish.com. 

If the property you have moved into 

already has a phone line (it must have 

belonged to an expat if so), transfer it 

immediately into your own name and ask 

Telefonica to read the account on the day 

that you want your account to start and 

the previous tenant's to end so you do not 

find yourself paying for calls made before 

you moved in. 

If you need to install a line, call Telefonica 

(tel. 1004 freephone) and they will turn up 

within a few days and charge €110, which 

is usually distributed over the next three 

bills. Line rental costs €30 for two months. 

Always study your bill carefully as it is 

not unknown for Telefonica data inputters 

to leave their finger on the '0' key - especially 

on expats' bills it seems - and issue 

you with a phone bill that resembles a 

mortgage statement. You may also find 

they have charged you for all sorts of telephone 

services you didn't request or, 

indeed, may never even have had. 

Though the emergence of competition in 

the market has seen a fall in the cost of 

calls, they are still expensive by EU standards. 

Local calls cost 7 centimos to connect 

and 2.5 centimos per minute peak 

rate, 1 centimo off-peak. 

TELEVISION 

Most Spanish television sets receive five 

terrestrial channels: the state-run TV1 and 

TV2, independent stations Antenna 3 and 

TeleCinco and film and sport subscription 

channel Canal Plus, for which you can 

buy a decoder at supermarkets. Regional 

channels include Barcelona TV, Tele 

Madrid, TVC3 Catalunya and Canal Sur in 

Andalucia. 

If you don't speak Spanish or you are not 

a born fan of chat shows where over-excited 

guests shout at each other, you will 

soon tire of terrestrial TV - and decent foreign 

product will be dubbed anyway. One 

solution is to go out. The other is to subscribe 

to satellite TV, which is popular in 

Spain, or cable or digital TV. 

The main digital providers are Canal 

Satélite Digital (tel. 902-110 010, 

www.csatelite.es), a sister company of 

Canal Plus, and ViaDigital (www.viadigital.es), 

owned by Telefónica. Canal Satélite 

Digital offers a complete package with 

over 40 channels for €40.60 a month. 

ViaDigital offers a complete package 

(Paquete completo) with over 40 channels 

for €37 a month. 

Auna (www.auna.es, tel. 900 50 00 60) is 

promoting a television, internet and 



Around The Home 

phone package for €45 a month until 2006. 

It offers regional packages for Catalunya, 

Madrid, the Valencia and Alicante and 

Andalucia which include channels such as 

BBC World, CNN, Fox, Paramount 

Comedy and MTV. 

Nearly 3 million homes in Spain have 

satellite TV - and no doubt a large proportion 

of them belong to expats. Through 

Astra you can watch Sky One, Sky Sports, 

Film Four, UK Gold, Channel 5, Eurosport 

and many more in Dutch, German, 

Swedish and other languages. 

British expats can feel at home by 

installing Sky satellite TV for about €60 a 

month and soak up a taste of home with 

BBC1, BBC2, BBC3, BBC4, CNN, Sky 

News and BBC24. You need to subscribe 

to Sky and pay through a UK bank 

account or you can buy an instant viewing 

card for €200 to last 2-6 years. Contact a 

satellite installation company for advice 

(see list below right). You can also import 

your own satellite dish and receiver and 

install it yourself. Before buying a system, 

ensure that it can receive programmes 

from all existing and planned satellites. 

VIDEO, TV AND DVD 

Due to differences in transmission standard 

TVs and video recorders which operate 

on the British system (PAL-I), French 

(SECAM) or American (NTSC) won't work 

in Spain which uses the PAL-BG system. 

But you can buy a multi-standard 

European TV and video recorder which 

can adapt to different systems. Some can 

operate using the American system too, 

but check before purchasing. 

Videos and DVDs films are pricey to buy 

so you are better off joining a local video 

shop for about €3 a day. 

There are some English-language rental 

shops in the major cities and resorts and 

Blockbuster (www.blockbuster.es) exist all 

over Spain. 

INTERNET 

Growing numbers of expats in Spain has 

meant an increasing demand for easy 

internet access from home. Telefonica is 

the largest internet service provider - and 

even if you don't choose to use it, other 

companies still have to ask their permission 

to use the phone line to install ADSL 

Broadband, so the process is invariably a 

long and painful one. 

You do have a choice of ISPs, though, 

which offer free connection if you register 

over the phone or online, giving your NIE 

or passport number and bank details. ISPs 

include Wanadoo (www.wanadoo.es, tel. 

902 012 960), Arrakis (www.arrakis.es, tel. 

902 020100), Metro Red Online 

(www.metrored-online.com, tel. 952 

880032), Mercury (www.mercuryin.es, tel. 

952 837575) or Ola internet (www.olainternet.com, 

tel. 902 250 100). 

For 24-hour usage, ask for the 'tarifa plana' 

package. It usually costs about €20 a 

month. ADSL costs about €40 a month and 

is 10 times faster than dial-up. 

Or you can use internet cafes, which usually 

charge about €1.50 per hour, or less if 

you pay for multiple hours in advance. 

For a list of internet cafes in Andalucia, 

see www.andalucia.com/internet/cybercafes/home.htm. 

In Barcelona and Madrid easyInternetcafe 

(www.easyeverything.com) offers the best 

value, including an unlimited usage weekly 

pass for €10. 

SATELLITE TV INSTALLATION COMPANIES: 

•SmartSat (www.smartsat.tv), Barcelona 

tel. 93 810 2458 •Brit Sat (www.britsat.tv), 

covers Barcelona/Costa Brava region tel. 

977 493 820 •Sky's the Limit (www.skysthelimit.tv), 

Costa del Sol tel. 952 371 699 

•Satellite Superstore (www.satellitesuperstore.com/spain), 

all Spain, tel. 00 44 870 

027 1888 


SETTLING IN


SETTLING IN 

54 

Post Offices 

There are over 6,000 post offices spread across Spain, offering all the modern 

services you could require — except the speedy delivery of your mail. 

There are some 6,000 post offices (oficinas 

de correos) scattered across Spain which 

offer the potential for a wide range of 

modern services such as sending telegrams 

and faxes, accessing the internet, and dealing 

with various international giro money 

orders. 

That said, the postal service itself is still 

one of the slowest in Europe and although 

you may be able to send a letter from 

Spain to the UK in two days, you may find 

a letter from one address in Barcelona to 

another takes more than a week. Sending 

letters 'express' (expres/urgente) is unlikely 

to speed up the process, though you could 

use a courier (mensajeria) if you are desperate. 

If you want to guarantee the letter arrives, 

pay about double the ordinary price to 

send it by registered post (certificado) or get 

proof of delivery (aviso recibo). 

To send a basic letter or card up to 20g 

costs €0.27 within Spain or €0.52 for EU 

and €0.77 for the rest of the world. 

If you can't face the queues, you can also 

buy stamps in tobacconists shops 

(estancos). Postboxes (buzones) are yellow 

with red stripes around the bottom and 

two slots, for local and national/international 

post. 

In Madrid, Barcelona and at airports there 

are branches open 24 hours. The main post 

offices in cities usually open from around 

8-9am until 9-10pm on weekdays and until 

2pm on Saturdays. In smaller towns, they 

are much more likely to close for lunch 

and not re-open again afterwards. 

For more information on the services 

offered and addresses of local branches, 

see www.correos.es or call Customer 

Service 902 197 197. You can also check on 

this website for postcodes. 

MAIN POST OFFICE BRANCHES: 

•Palacio de Comunicaciones 

Plaza Cibeles s/n 

Madrid 

Mon-Fri 8am-10pm/Sat 8.30am-8pm 

•Placa Antoni Lopez s/n 

Barcelona 

Mon-Fri 8am-9pm/Sat 9am-2pm 

•Avenida de Andalucia 1 

Malaga 


•Plaza Gabriel Miro 

Alicante 


•Patricio Ferrandiz, 38 

Denia 

Mon-Fri 8.30am-2.30pm, Sat 9.30am-1pm. 

•Constituti 6 

Palma de Mallorca 

•Ramon Areces s/n 

Marbella 

•Avenida Europa 8 

Benidorm 

•Plaza de la Constitucion 

Fuengirola 

•Desiderio Rodriguez 37 

Torrevieja 



Telephones 

Mobile is definitely the way to go in Spain — in some cases it is the only way 

to go — but there are ways to avoid the high costs of keeping in touch. 

There is no shortage of public telephones 

in streets and bars which take coins or, in 

the case of more modern booths, only 

phone cards (tarjetas telefonicas), which you 

can buy from tobacconist shops and post 

offices. They come in denominations of €6, 

€10 or €20 and you insert the card into the 

phone to make a call. Call centres are also 

common. You make your call in a private 

cubicle and pay at the desk afterwards. 

INTERNATIONAL CALLS 

International calls are very expensive from 

Spain. Instead, buy a pre-paid phone card 

such as Europa or Eurocity for €6 from 

various outlets. You tap in the code on the 

card and you can call for at least 200 minutes 

at any time of the day. 

See Direct Telecom's website (www.directtelecom.es) 

for details of how to make 

cheap international, as well as local and 

national, calls in Spain. Or Cellhome 

(www.peoplecall.com) offer a way of making 

international calls at national rates by 

dialling 902 055 123 then entering the 

number you want to call following by #. 

See their website for details. 

MOBILE PHONES 

Mobiles are big business in Spain. The 

Spanish may not like landlines but they 

love their mobiles and own more than any 

other EU country. They use them a lot too, 

given calls are cheaper from mobile to 

mobile than from mobile to landline. 

There are three digital networks - 

Movistar (owned by Telefonica), Airtel 

(which includes Vodaphone) and Amena. 

You cannot get a contract with a mobile 

phone company if you do not have a residence 

card, so you need to use prepaid 

phone cards either in your existing mobile 

brought from abroad (if it will take a 

Spanish SIM card) or you can buy phones 

without contracts from about €65, including 

free calls, from telephone shops and at 

FNAC stores in Madrid (C/ Preciados, 28), 

Barcelona (Centro comercial El Triangle 

Plaza Catalunya, 4), Alicante (Avenida de 

la Estación, 5-7) and Marbella (Parque 

Comercial La Cañada, Autovía 340, Salida 

Ojén). 

Pre-paid cards are available from supermarkets, 

petrol stations etc. Or you can 

top up your phone directly from ATM 

machines. 

TELEPHONE NUMBERS 

Mobile phone numbers in Spain begin 

with a 6 and landline numbers with a 9. 

Numbers beginning with 90 are for special 

services. 900 is freephone numbers and is 

used (along with low-cost 901 numbers 

and standard-cost 902 numbers) by businesses 

as a national number. 903 to 906 are 

premium rate lines such as call-in competitions 

on TV. 909 is used for flat rate internet 

access. 

To call directory enquiries, for any national 

numbers, call 18818. 


SETTLING IN


SETTLING IN 

56 

Expat Shops 

When you tire of tapas and yearn for a familiar taste from home, here is 

where to look to start stocking-up on all your essential favourite foods. 

BRITISH 

Sabri Food Store 

San Emilio, 4, Madrid, tel. 91 726 9833 

10am-2.30pm, 5-9pm Mon-Sat; 11am- 

2.30pm Sundays. 

Indian and Pakistani spices, herbs, vegetables 

and British favourites including PG 

Tips teabags, all imported from London. 

Living in London 

Santa Engracia 4, Madrid 

tel. 91 310 3932 

Teas, shortbread biscuits and homemade 

jams. 

Helen's 

Paseo de la Castellana 204, Madrid 

tel. 91 359 6377 

8am-midnight 

Deli selling imported English products 

including apple and pumpkin pies. 

The British Market 

Carrer de Verdi 14, Barcelona 

tel. 93 415 9468 

An all-British store selling all the favourite 

brands, including Walkers Crisps, Jammy 

Dodgers and British beers. 

A Taste of Home 

Calle San José 38, Sitges, tel. 93 894 9879 

www.sitges-spain.com 

Another well-stocked grocery full of 

favourite British brands. 

Brit Buys 

Alfaz Del Pi, Alicante, tel. 96 686 0370 

www.britsbuys.com 

English supermarket with website ordering 

facility. 

AMERICAN 

Taste of America 

Serrano 149, Madrid, tel. 91 562 0278 

0am-9pm Mon-Sat 

Pretzels, fudge brownies, Paul Newman 

sauces and everything you need for a 

Thanksgiving feast. 

ASIAN AND FAR EAST 

San Bernardo 5 and 7, Madrid 

tel. 91 559 7741 

10.30am-2pm, 4.30-8pm Mon-Sat 

Exotic Far East products from Thailand, 

Vietnam, Philippines, China, India and 

Japan. Also some Mexican favourites. 

Extremo Oriente 

Plaza de España s/n, Madrid 

tel. 91 547 9191) 

10am-2.15pm, 4.30-8.30pm, Mon-Sat 

Miso, ginseng, seaweed, oriental teas and 

more from the Philippines, China, Japan, 

Korea and Thailand. 

Foodland 

Virgen de Lluc 4 and Amparo 88, Madrid 

tel. 91 404 1902 and tel. 91 467 2880 for 

respective branches) 

Arabic, Middle East and Oriental products, 

including Lebanese tahini, Japanese 

soya sauce, hot Vindaloo curries, Indian 

basmati rice and Assam tea. 

Superstore Asia Food 

Calle Tallers 77, Barcelona 

tel. 93 317 8976 

Specialities, sauces, plus noodles galore. 

Sakura-Ya 

Centro Comercial L'illa Diagonal, 

Barcelona, tel. 93 301 1961 

All the ingredients to make your own 

sushi, plus prepared foods and desserts. 

Tokio Ya 

Presidente Carmona 9, Madrid 

tel. 91 579 2311 

10am-2pm, 4-8pm Mon-Sat 

Upmarket store selling everything from 

saki and sushi to traditional ceramics, as 

well as stocking a wide range of Japanese 

newspapers. 


es-settle.qxd 16/02/2005 12:25 Page 57

es-settle.qxd 16/02/2005 12:25 Page 58 

SETTLING IN 

58 

Expat Shops 

HUNGARIAN, GERMAN AND AUSTRIAN 

La Húngara, Padilla 33, Madrid 


9.30am-2 pm, 5-8.30pm, Mon-Sat 

Specialities include brioches, chocolates 

and raspberry and apple tarts for that real 

taste of home 

Edelweiss, Galileo 93, Hilarion Eslava 38 

and Paseo Yeserias 15, Madrid. 

tel. 91 534 72 04/ 91 544 08 75/ 91 517 82 94 

9.30am-2.15pm, 5-8.45pm. 

Austrian, German and Hungarian pastries 

including apfelstrüdel, pear and sacher 

tarts. 

Fass, Rodríguez Marín 84, Madrid 

tel. 91 563 60 83) 

9am-8pm Mon-Fri, Sat until 3pm. 

International supermarket with largest 

choice of German products to be found in 

Madrid. 

EUROPEAN 

La Boulette, Ayala 28, Madrid 

tel. 91 431 7725 

8am-3pm, 5.30-8pm Mon-Fri and Sat 

morning. 

A European cheese haven including Swiss 

Emmenthal, Danish Blue and English 

Stilton, plus French pastries. 

Tot Formatge 

Passeig del Born 13, Barcelona 

tel. 93 319 5375 

Cheeses from all over Europe. 

SWEDISH 

Ikea 

Avenida de Europa 22, CC Parque Oeste 

Alcorcón, Madrid, tel. 91 664 5200. 

Avinguda de la Granvia 115-133, 

Barcelona , tel. 902 400 922 

11am-10pm Mon-Sat 

Swedish beers galore, apple and pear 

cider on the go, herrings, meatballs and 

even some glogg wine in winter - it’s the 

closest to Scandinavia you can get. 

There’s no need to panic - your favourite 

foods from home can often be found 

at specialty shops throughout Spain. 

ENGLISH LANGUAGE BOOKSHOPS: 

MADRID 

Petra's 

International 

Bookshop 

C/Campomanes 13 

tel. 91 541 7291 

Turner English 

Books 

Genova 3 

tel. 91 310 1245 

JJ Books & Coffee 

C/Espiritu Santo 47 

tel. 91 521 8576 

Booksellers 

José Abascal 48 

tel. 91 442 8104 

BARCELONA 

Elephant Book 

Shop 

C/ Creu dels 

Molers 12 

tel. 93 443 0594 

Hibernian Books 

C/ Pere Serafi 33-35 

tel. 93 217 4796 

BCN Books 

Roger de Llúria, 

118 

tel. 93 457 7692 

FNAC 

Centre Comercial 

L'Illa Avinguda 

Diagonal, 555-559 

tel. 93 444 5900 


es-listings+index.qxd 09/02/2005 11:12 Page 59 

Embassies 

Australia 

Plaza Descubridor Diego de 

Ordás 3 

Madrid 28003 

tel. 91 441 6025 

www.spain.embassy.gov.au 

Austria 

Paseo de la Castellana 91 

28046 Madrid 

tel. 91 556 5315 

Belgium 

Paseo de la Castellana 18 (6) 

28046 Madrid 

tel. 91 577 6300 

www.diplobel.org/spain/ 

Canada 

Núñez de Balboa, 35 

28001 Madrid 

tel. 91 423 3250 

www.canada-es.org 

China 

C/Arturo Soria 11, 

28043 Madrid 

tel. 91 519 4242 

www.embajadachina.es 

Denmark 

Claudio Coello 91 - 4º 

28006 Madrid 

tel. 91 431 8445 

E-mail: 

madamb@madamb.um.dk 

Finland 


28046 Madrid 

tel. 91 319 6172 

www.finlandia.org 

France 

Salustiano Olozaga, 9 

28001 Madrid 

tel. 91 423 8900 

www.ambafrance-es.org 

Germany 

C/Fortuny 8 

28010 Madrid 

tel. 91 557 9000 

www.embajada-alemania.es 

Greece 

Av. Doctor Arce 24, 

Madrid 28002 

tel. 91 564 4653 

India 

Av. Pío XII, 30-32 

28016 Madrid 


www.embajadaindia.com 

(Republic of) Ireland 


28046 Madrid 


Israel 

C/Velazquez 150 


tel. 91 782 9500 

www.embajada-israel.es 

Italy 

Calle Lagasca 98 

28006 Madrid 

tel. 91 423 3300 

www.ambitalia.org 

Japan 

C/Serrano 109 

28006 Madrid 

tel. 91 590 7600 

Mexico 

Carrera de San Jeronimo 46 



www.sre.gob.mx/espana/ 

Netherlands 

Avenida Comandante 

Franco, 32 

28016 Madrid 

tel. 91 353 7500 

www.embajadapaisesbajos.es 

New Zealand 

Plaza de la Lealtad 2 


tel. 91 523 0226 

Norway 


28046 Madrid 

tel. 91 310 3116 

www.emb-noruega.es 

Poland 

Calle Guisando, 23-bis 

28035 Madrid 

tel. 91 373 6605 

www.embajada-polonia.org 

Portugal 

Calle Pinar, 1 

28006 Madrid 

tel. 91 782 4960 

www.embajadaportugalmadrid.org 

(Federation of) Russia 

c.Velázquez 155, 


tel. 91 411 2524 

www.russianembassy.net/is 

ervice.nsf/cities/madrid or 

http://visados.narod.ru 

South Africa 

Claudio Coello, 91 

28006 Madrid 

Tel 91 436 3780 

www.sudafrica.com 

Sweden 

Calle Caracas, 25 

Madrid 28010 

tel. 91 308 1535 

www.embajadasuecia.es 


LISTINGS AND INDEX


LISTINGS AND INDEX 

60 

Embassies 

Turkey 

C/Rafael Calvo, 18 2A-B 

28010 Madrid 

tel. 91 319 8064 

www.tcmadridbe.org 

CONSULATES IN SPAIN: 

UNITED KINGDOM: 

Paseo de Recoletos, 7/9 

28004 Madrid 

tel. 91 524 9700 

madridconsulate@ 

ukinspain.com 

Avenida Diagonal, 477, 13º 


tel. 93 366 6200 

barcelonaconsulate@ 

ukinspain.com 

Plaza Calvo Sotelo 1/2-1 

03001 Alicante 

tel. 96 521 6190 

enquiries.alicante@ 

fco.gov.uk 

United Kingdom 

Calle de Fernando el Santo, 

16 

28010 Madrid 


www.ukinspain.com 

Edificio Eurocom, bloque 

Sur 

C/Mauricio Moro Pareto, 

2, 2º 

29080 Málaga 

tel. 95 235 2300 

malaga@fco.gov.uk 

Plaza Mayor 3D 

07002 Palma de Mallorca 

tel. 97 171 2445 

Sa Casa Nova 

Cami de Biniatap 30 

Es Castell 

07720 Menorca 

tel. 97 136 3373 

United States 

Serrano 75 

28006 Madrid 

tel. 91 587 2200 

www.embusa.es 

UNITED STATES: 

Paseo Reina Elisenda de 

Montcada, 23 



Consular Section 

C/ Serrano, 75 

28006 Madrid 

tel. 91 587 2200 

Up, up and away: 

Living in Spain 

puts all of 

Europe on your 

doorstep, so get 

your papers in 

order and your 

travel shoes on. 

Edificio Reina Constanza 

Porto Pi, 8, 9D 

07015 Palma de Mallorca 

tel. 971 40 37 07 



Groups And Clubs 

Even though you may be on your own or with your family, remember that there 

are plenty of expats out there just like you. Here’s how to make contact. 

NATIONAL CLUBS 

British Spanish Cultural 

Foundation, Madrid 

tel. 91 345 6344 

Canadian Circle, Madrid 

tel. 91 446 4591 

Australian Club, Madrid 

tel. 669 458 341 

gudonya@australiaspain.co 

m 

www.australiaspain.com/gu 

donya 

EuroAmerican Club of 

Madrid 

tel. 629 218 169 

The American Society of 

Barcelona 

www.amersoc.com 

tel. 696 751 654 

The American Club of 

Marbella 


The British Association of 

Marbella 

tel. 952 825 191 

Club International de 

Marbella 

tel. 95 277 0706 

British Society of Catalonia 

tel. 93 688 0866 

Brit Club of Torrevieja 

tel. 669 640 803 

English-speaking Club of 

Torrevieja 

tel. 965 719 907 

Catalan Irish Association 

tel. 93 729 1393 

chatterbox@qrz.net 

Dutch Club 

Sitges 

tel. 93 410 6210 

www.nederlandseverenigingbarcelona.com 

Masala - Promotion of India 

culture 

masalabcn@yahoo.es 

Scandinavian Club 

www.clubescandinavo.com/ 

index_sve.htm 

tel. 93 325 8905 

BUSINESS NETWORKING 

Entrepreneurs Network, 

Barcelona 

www.en-barcelona.org 

The Business Lunch, 

Barcelona 

www.thebizlunch.com 

Business Networking 

Barcelona (BNB) 

www.business-networkingbarcelona.com; 

email: 

info@business-networkingbarcelona.com 

British Chamber of 

Commerce, Barcelona 

www.britishchamberspain.c 

om; britchamber@britchamber.com, 

tel. 93 317 32 20 

Eurocircle, Madrid and 

Barcelona 

www.eurocircle.com. Email: 

info@eurocircle.com 

SOCIAL CLUBS 

Gay Madrid (Cogam) 

tel. 91 522 4517 

www.cogam.org 

The International 

Newcomer's Club of 

Madrid 

www.incmadrid.com 

tel. 91 604495 

The Rotary Club, 

Fuengirola 

tel. 696 492 492 

Jazz Appreciation Society, 

Marbella 

tel. 95 278 7364 

Torrevieja Discussion 

Group 

tel. 966 760 448. 

Belly Dancing Classes, 

Torrevieja 


Bridge Club Torrevieja 

tel. 96 671 84 40 

New Solos Club, Torrevieja 

(40s-60s) 

tel. 966 702 556/600 985 656 

Women's clubs 

American Women's Club of 

Madrid 

tel. 91 457 1108 

Keep up to date on all the latest bureaucratic and 

legislative changes at www.expatica.com/spain 


LISTINGS AND INDEX



62 

Groups And Clubs 

Working Mothers Group, 

Madrid 

tel. 91 530 7978 

Spanish Federation of 

Business and Professional 

Women (FEMENP), Madrid 

empresaria@bitmailer.net 

Barcelona Women's 

Network 

www.bcnwomensnetwork. 

com; tel. 93 753 3066 

International Women's Club 

of Barcelona 


iwcb@hotmail.com 

Parent and Toddler Group, 

Torrevieja 

tel. 660 222 637 

POLITICAL ORGANISATIONS 

Labour international, 

Torrevieja 

tel. 96 692 50 59 or 

96 571 41 45 

Conservatives Abroad 

Contact: D. Napier 

tel. 972 256 677 

Sports and fitness clubs 

British Football Club 

tel. 91 742 2998 

Madrid Cricket Club 

tel. 91 314 2268 

cricketinmadrid@ 

yahoo.co.uk 

www.cricketinmadrid.com 

Madrid Hash House 

Harriers (running club) 

tel. 91 518 8131 

www.madridhhh.com 

Barcelona Hash House 

Harriers 

www.geocities.com/ 

barnahhh 

tel. 93 415 9738 

Mijas Hash House Harriers 

www.mijashhh.com 

sy_koala@yahoo.com. 

tel. 651 315 691 

Madrid Lions Rugby 

Football Club 

tel. 91 373 5613 

info@madridlionsrfc.com 

www.madridlionsrfc.com 

Real Federación Española 

de Golf 


Barcelona International 

Football club 

tel. 93 218 6731 

Barcelona Cricket Club 

tel. 93 488 2852 

cricketinbarca@yahoo.com 

Torrevieja Cycling Club 


Costa Blanca Runners 

tel. 96 570 60 16 

Euro Divers club, Torrevieja 

tel. 965 703 803 

Latin Line Dancing, 

Torrevieja 

tel. 96 679 85 88 or tel. 96 

676 19 98 

Netball Club, Torrevieja 

tel. 617 575 168 

Gaelic Football Club, 

Barcelona 

tel. 616 306 284 

Marbella Hill Tennis Club 

tel. 659 677 539 

Manolo Santana Racquets 

Club, Marbella 

tel. 95 277 8580 

Marbella Golf Institute 


www.marbella-golf-institute.com 

Special interests clubs 

Barcelona International 

Wine Society 

tel. 93 412 6801 

Barcelona Toastmasters 

tel. 93 811 1299 

ruthlw@aol.com 

Natural Health Club 

naturalhealthclub@ctv.es 

THEATRE CLUBS 

The New English Theatre 

Society, Barcelona 

tel. 93 896 0165 

Madrid Players Theatre 

Group 

91 326 2439 

www.madridplayers.org 

SELF-HELP GROUPS 

Relationship Therapy 

Group, Barcelona 

tel. 93 675 9276 

Alcoholics Anonymous, 

Madrid 


www.aaspain.org 


es-listings+index.qxd 15/02/2005 10:46 Page 63

es-listings+index.qxd 09/02/2005 11:14 Page 64 


64 

Phone Book Decoder 

ACCOUNTANT 

Contable 

AIRLINE 

Línea aérea 

ART GALLERY 

Museo de arte 

BABY GOODS 

Artículos para bebes 

BAKERY 

Panadería 

BARBER 

Barbero/peluquería 

BATHROOM 

Cuarto de baño 

BEAUTICIAN 

estetecista 

BICYCLE 

Bicicleta 

BOOKSHOP 

Librería 

BUILDER 

Constructor 

BUTCHER 

Carnicería 

CAR DEALER 

Venta de coches 

CARPENTER 

Carpintero 

CARPET 

Alfombra 

CAR RENTALS 

Alquiler de coches 

CENTRAL HEATING 

Calefaccion 

CHILDREN'S CLOTHING 

Ropa infantíl 

CINEMA 

Cine 

CONFECTIONERS 

Pastelería 

DENTIST 

Dentista 

DEPARTMENT STORE 

Grandes almacenes 

DO-IT-YOURSELF SHOP 

Bricolaje 

DOCTOR 

Médico 

DOG KENNEL 

Perrera 

DRIVING SCHOOL 

Autoescuela 

CHEMIST 

Farmacia 

DRY CLEANING 

Tintorería 

ELECTRICAL GOODS 

Electrodomésticos 

EMPLOYMENT OFFICES 

Agencia de trabajo 

EYE DOCTOR 

Oculista 

FIRE BRIGADE 

Bomberos 

FISHMONGER 

Pescadería 

FLOWER SHOP 

Floristería 

FURNITURE 

Muebles 

GARDEN CENTRE 

Centro de jardinería 

GREENGROCER 

Frutería 

GROCERIES 

Comestibles 

HAIRDRESSER 

Peluquería 

HARDWARE STORE 

Ferretería 

HEALTH CLUB 

Gimnasio 

HOSPITAL 

Hospital 

HOUSE CLEANING 

Limpieza de la casa 

INSURANCE 

Seguros 

JEWELLER 

Joyería 

KEY CUTTING 

Cortar llaves 

KITCHEN 

Cocina 

LADIES CLOTHING 

Ropa feminina 

LANGUAGE SCHOOL 

Escuela de idiomas 

LAWYER 

Abogado 

LEGAL ADVICE CENTRE 

Asesoría juridical 



Phone Book Decoder 

MENSWEAR 

Ropa de caballero 

OPTICIANS 

Optica 

PAINTERS 

Pintores 

PEST CONTROL SHOP 

Control de plagas 

POLICE 

Policía 

POST OFFICE 

Correos 

REAL ESTATE AGENT 

Inmobiliaria 

REMOVALS COMPANY 

Mudanzas 

SHOE SHOP 

Zapatería 

SUPERMARKET 

Supermercado 

SWIMMING POOL 

Piscina 

TAILOR 

Sasterería 

TAX CONSULTANT 

Asesor de 

impuestos/notario/gestor 

THEATRE 

Teatro 

TOOLS 

Herramientas 

TRAVEL AGENTS 

Agencia de viajes 

VET 

Veterinario 

WINDOW CLEANER 

limpiacristales 

When you 

need more 

than just a 

way to decode 

the phone book, 

go to 

www.expatica. 

com/spain 

and learn how 

to decode the 

whole country. 

For breaking news and considered analysis of current 

affairs in Spain, check out www.expatica.com/spain 


LISTINGS AND INDEX



66 

Weights And Measures 

WOMEN’S CLOTHING 

US UK ES 

6 8 36 

8 10 38 

10 12 40 

12 14 42 

14 16 44 

16 18 46 

18 20 48 

20 22 50 

WOMEN’S SHOES 

US UK ES 

5½ 3½ 36.5 

6 4 37 

6½ 4½ 37.5 

7 5 38 

7½ 5½ 38.5 

8 6 39 

MEN’S CLOTHING 

US UK ES 

36 36 46 

38 38 48 

40 40 50 

42 42 52 

44 44 54 

LINEAR MEASURES 

MEN’S SHIRTS 

US UK ES 

14½ 14½ 37 

15 15 38 

15½ 15½ 39 

16 16 41 

16½ 16½ 42 

17 17 43 

17½ 17½ 44 

MEN’S SHOES 

US UK ES 

8 7½ 40 

8½ 8 42 

9 8½ 43 

9½ 9 44 

10 9½ 45 

MEN’S SWEATERS 

US UK ES 

small 34 44 

medium 36-38 46-48 

large 40 50 

x-large 42-44 52-54 

1 centimetre 0.39 inch 

2.54 centimetres 1 inch 

30.05 centimetres 1 foot 

91.4 centimetres 1 yard 

1 meter 39.37 inches 

1 kilometer (1000 m) 0.62137 miles 

1.609344 kilometers 1 mile 

DRY MEASURES 

g oz 

30 1 

115 4 

170 6 

225 8 

450 16 (1lb) 

OVEN TEMPERATURES 

OVEN C F GAS MARK 

very cool 130 260 0.5-1 

cool 150 300 2 

warm 170 325 3 

moderate 180 350 5 

fairly hot 200 380 5-6 

hot 220+ 460 7-8 

THERMOMETER 

C F 

25 77 

23 73 

20 68 

18 64 

15 59 

13 55 

10 50 

8 46 

5 41 

3 37 

0 32 

-5 23 

-10 14 

-15 5 

LIQUID MEASURES 

ml fl oz 

30 1 

60 2 

150 5 

240 8 

300 10 

450 15 

900 32 

1000 34 

BODY TEMPERATURE 

C F 

36.0 96.8 

36.5 97.7 

37.0 98.6 

37.5 99.5 

38.0 100.4 

38.5 101.3 

39.0 102.2 

39.5 103.1 

40.0 104.0 

40.5 104.9 

41.0 105.8 

Get the most out of living in Spain, read Expatica 

news and views every weekday at www.expatica.com 



Emergency Numbers 

EMERGENCY SITUATIONS 

Police, fire, ambulance: 112 

National Police-091 - ask for translator 

service 

Border police (at railway stations, airports 

and borders) 0180 5234566 

Ambulance - 061 

Fire - 080 

Civil Guard - 062 

Coastguard -900 202 202 

Red Cross -915 222 222 

Civil Protection - www.protecioncivil.org 

MEDICAL SERVICES 

EMERGENCY DOCTOR: 

Barcelona: 649 938 392 

Madrid: 639 364 670 or Sanitas helpline: 

918 043 802/918 032 484 

Malaga: Carlos Haya Hospital 95 103 01 00 

Civil Hospital 95 103 03 00 

Materno Infantil Hospital 95 103 02 00 

Hospital Clínico 95 103 20 00 

Alicante: 965 144 000 

Aids Helpline: 900 212 222 

Spanish Aids Foundation: 900 111 000 

Poisons Helpline: 915 620 420 

Cancer Helpline: 900 100 036 

Social services helpline: 900 703 030 

Federation for Relatives and Partners of 

the deaf: 915 765 149, DTS: 915 771 230; 

Domestic violence 

Victim Support: 900 121 884 or 900 100 009 

EMERGENCY DENTISTS: 

Barcelona: 607 332 335 

Madrid: 661 857 170 

Malaga: 966 730 603 

Alicante: 965 717 512 

UTILITIES 

GAS: 

Gas Natural: 900 760 760 

HidroCantabrico: (24-hrs) 902 860 600 

Repsol Butano: (24-hrs) 901 100 100 

ELECTRICTY: 

Fecsa Endesa: (24-hr) 902 507 750 

HidroCantabrico (24-hr) 902 860 860 

Iberdola(24-hr) 901 202 020 

Enher(24-hr) 900 770 077 

CREDIT CARDS 

American Express: 91 572 03 03 

Cajamadrid: 91 519 38 00 

4B: 91 726 00 00 / 91 532 62 00 

Eurocard-Mastercard: 91 519 21 00 

Dinner's: 91 547 40 00 

Sistema 6000: 91 355 30 00 / 91 596 53 35 

Visa: 519 21 00 

HELPLINES 

CONSUMER: 

Spanish Agency for Protection of 

Consumers: 913 996 200 

Ministry of Health and Consumers: 915 

961 090 or 915 961 091 

National Consumers' Institute: 

914 311 836 

IMMIGRATION: 

Immigration Service, Ministry of Interior: 

900 150 000 

Institute of Immigration and Social 

Security: 913 638 888 

Or 913 638 916, 913 638 917; 913 638 909 

High Commission for Refugees (ACNUR): 

915 563 503 

www.acnur.org 

Want to make the most of your time in Spain? Keep 

your finger on the pulse at www.expatica.com/spain 


LISTINGS AND INDEX



68 

Advertiser Index 

A Abogados Leal 21 

Alliance and Leicester 23 

AXA PPP inside back 

cover 

B Blasco & Advocats Associats 21 

H. HSBC back cover 

Another perfect 

Spanish sunset... 

The Expat Survival Guide will be distributed 

to over 20,000 expats in Spain through 

embassies, international companies and 

organisations, expat clubs, and expat housing 

and relocation companies. 

If you are involved in managing expats 

(maybe you are involved in international 

HR management) or through work and 

leisure activities come in to contact with 

expats who would find this guide useful, 

please contact Mark Batty at 

mark.batty@expatica.com 

You can order as many guides you feel are 

necessary, for free, and delivery is also free 

I International Health 

Insurance - Danmark 

inside front cover 

K King College - The British 

School of Madrid 33 

P Paraninfo - 

Intensive Spanish 31 

W World Pack 9 

To advertise with us in the next Expat Survival Guide, 

please email sales@expatica.com 

within the major cities (outside of the major 

cities we ask that you simply cover the 

costs of postage). 

Details of where you can pick up individual 

copies of the Survival Guide can be found 

at www.expatica.com. Venues include international 

bookstores, relocation agencies, 

expat food stores, and bars and restaurants 

throughout Spain. 

If you run a bookshop, cafe, bar or restaurant 

popular with expats and would like to 

distribute the free Expat Survival Guide to 

your customers, please email 

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