Local Tips - Living in Spain

Try to learn and use a little of the Spanish language as it is always very helpful and much appreciated by the locals.

When driving

1. No parking alongside yellow painted kerbs.
2. No parking in front of garage entrances.
3. Your car will be towed away and taken to the police compound if you break the rules.

Always be sure to carry with you when driving:

1. Copy of passport, Driving licence, insurance & car documents (inc. proof of ownership)
2. Spare pair of glasses (if you wear glasses)
3. Two triangles and 2 fluorescent jackets in case of breakdown
4. Extra set of bulbs
5. A First aid box
6. Remember, you are not allowed to tow a car in Spain. You must contact your insurance company or a break down service.

Keeping in touch

Read the following local weekly publications:

The Costa Blanca News, The Post, The Round Town News, The Coastrider, The Leader etc. etc they are a good source of local news and written in English.

To obtain a telephone landline ring Telefonica on1004 and ask to speak to an English operator, have your passport number and bank details to hand and a contact telephone number.

Get a Spanish mobile phone as they are much cheaper for making calls locally or to England. There are many cheap call companies such as More Minutes, Talkback etc. whom you can register with to make cheap calls to England from a landline or mobile. Calls from only 5 cents per minute.

English mobiles are very expensive if used in Spain. Contact our office and they will help you get set up with a Spanish mobile phone.

Healthcare

British people can get free national health medical treatment in Spain on production of a form E111. Although this is primarily meant for holiday-makers it can sometimes be used longer term if it is up to date.

Private travel insurance is highly recommended as it is cheap to buy and covers health, lost money and even your luggage.

Any medical treatment would be dealt with by a private hospital if paid for by a travel insurance company. It is advisable to take out your own annual private travel insurance. An annual policy is the cheapest way to allow for multiple trip insurance. A four person family can be covered for as little as £100.00 per year.

The E111 can be picked up from a Post Office, making sure it is fully completed and date stamped by the Post Office. Try to remember to get a new E111 every year. Get a few photocopies of your E111 as a clinic will retain a copy on each visit if you do need medical help.

Spain has a very good national health service that works along with the Spanish private health system. Hospitals are generally of a very high standard.

If you are going to remain in Spain for long periods and become a resident private health care is the best option. There are many companies that sell this. Shop around.

Chemists

Chemists (farmacias) are plentiful in Spain and are marked with a large green cross sign, (see right). The law states that farmacias must operate on a rota system so that there is always one open. Local press carry details of the duty farmacia. Opening hours are also posted on the door. You will be able to obtain basic medical advice from a member of staff. Prescription and non-prescription drugs are available from farmacias.

Many drugs available only on prescription in the UK and other countries can be purchased over the counter here. You are still advised to seek a doctors advice when possible. There are also alternative chemists such as Chinese clinics and herbal clinics. Most speak English.

Dentists

Any dentistry work carried out will normally have to be paid for by the patient as all dentists are private practices. The yellow pages of the telephone directory carries a good list of dentists (dentistas). You will often find a dentist in the large supermarkets. Prices are similar to the UK but the service is much better. Many dentists in Spain are ex-national health service.

Local Travel

Buses and taxis are a very good and cheap way to get around. Taxi drivers are very helpful and some drivers even know a little English but it is always easy to explain your destination. In some towns residents even get free use of local buses as long as they have applied for the bus pass. The town hall and the bus station deal with bus pass enquiries.

Silly Tips

1. If you live in an upstairs flat, put felt pads on legs on furniture so those below cannot hear you moving it around.
2. Water is precious even with the excellent Spanish water management systems. Remember thirteen showers is equal to one bath. Do not leave the tap running when cleaning you teeth. Most people are on water meters so you pay for wasted water.
3. Take your rubbish to the nearest green wheelie bin they are emptied every day in most places.
4. Fill a large glass or plastic container with water, use it as a doorstop, it will keep cats away and will come in handy if there is a water problem as you can use it to flush the toilet.
5. Add rice to your salt pot to ensure free flow.
6. Raw lemon will take the sting out of sunburn.
7. Toothpaste is good for soothing mosquito bites.
8. 100 Todo shops are excellent for all kinds of nick-knacks at very reasonable prices.
9. Local supermarkets sell everything and are excellent value.

If you have any tips of your own that you like us to add to our list please email them to Tim at info@spanishmoves.net