Thousands of people make the move to Alicante every year, attracted by the city’s natural beauty, climate and the promise of a less stressful life. But moving your life and family to another country is never easy, and Spain is no different. Finding somewhere to live, getting a job, sorting out bureaucracy and paperwork, plus making sure you have access to all important health care can all be serious challenges.
However, with planning, research and plenty of patience — the whole process can be made smoother. From applying for that all important Spanish foreign residence number (NIE) to getting yourself enrolled in a language class, here are 10 ways to help you settle in Alicante more quickly.
SPANISH CLASSES
It is always a good idea to enrol in a Spanish course before you make the big move. Many people who arrive in Alicante are surprised by how few people speak English (especially in Government Departments and outside of the main tourist areas) so if you are planning to live and work here, you will need to speak at least some basic Spanish. Many schools charge by the month with a set amount of hours per day or week. Other popular options include finding an ‘intercambio’ a group where people meet to practice different languages. Gran Alacant Library run several such courses based on different levels.
NIE
If you are planning on staying for longer than 3 months, working in Spain, or doing anything bureaucratic, you will need a Número de Identidad de Extranjero (NIE) issued by Spanish police via the Oficinas de Extranjería . To apply in person, print off the Interior Ministry’s EX-15 form, fill it in and make (at least!) 2 copies. Take your passport plus 2 passport photographs to their office. You will also need proof of your address in Spain and sometimes the police will also want to see proof of your reasons for being in Spain. To obtain your NIE, you will also need to pay a small fee at a bank and show a receipt. Doing this in advance could save time. Please note, you will need to make an appointment online to obtain your NIE.
FIND A JOB
Looking for work before you come to Alicante is also highly recommended. Whilst the unemployment rate in Spain is still high, some jobs are always in demand such as teaching English, as the economic crisis has forced Spaniards to learn English – plus call centre jobs and jobs in tourism
GET A SPANISH PHONE NUMBER
One of the first things you should do on arrival in Alicante is to get yourself a Spanish mobile. Visit any of the large mobile providers in either Alicante or Elche, or locally in Gran Alacant, as you can often get good deals on phone contracts/home internet bundles. The biggest providers in Spain are Movistar, Vodafone and Orange. But be aware that many of these companies will try and sign you on to a longer ‘permanent’ contract (permanencia) from the start. While these contracts offer cheaper monthly rates in exchange for you signing up for 18 months to 2 years, they can also entail hefty cancellation fees if you subsequently find a better deal with another supplier. So it may be advisable to opt for the Pay As You Go mobile option initially. You will need to take your passport and NIE with you when purchasing either option.
RENTING PROPERTY
Long term renting in Spain can be a minefield, but a local estate agent can help if you’re not confident with your Spanish. These agents usually charge one month’s rent for their services so it’s important to budget for that. When you view properties, make sure to ask about bills (los gastos), whether the Comunidad fee (building services fee – in the case of apartments) is included and how much is the deposit (la fianza). Also remember to ask if the property is furnished (amueblado) or unfurnished (sin amueblar). When it comes to signing the contract, get a Spanish speaker to check it for you and make sure to read the conditions closely. Also ask for an inventory and property condition report before you sign and you may also wish to take time/date stamped photographs of the condition of the property for future reference.
EMPADRONAMIENTO
Once you have found somewhere to live, you are legally obliged to register (empadronar) with the local Town Hall so you will be included in the municipal census, which in turn determines the amount of funding given to the Town Hall by Central Government. You will have to take proof of your address, such as a rental contract or a utility bill. You will be given a certificate (justificante de empadronamiento) and you will need this for many other procedures in Spain such as obtaining a Health Card, enrolling your children in local schools, buying a car etc.
OPENING A BANK ACCOUNT
To open a bank account in Alicante you will need to take some form of ID (usually your passport) as well as copies of proof of employment (if applicable), proof of your address and your NIE. The most common type of account is a ‘cuenta corriente‘ (current account), or you may want to open a ‘cuenta de ahorro (savings account).
SOCIAL SECURITY
Registering with the Social Security is compulsory for anyone working in Spain. Go to the Alicante social security office (Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social) with your NIE (and a photocopy of it), your passport, copy of your padron, your employment contract and the social security form. Once you have obtained your social security number, you can use this to register for a health card.
HEALTHCARE
Be aware that your European Health Card (EHIC) can only to be used when travelling and is not for permanent cover – purely for emergency use only. However, if you are working in Alicante and paying into the social security system, you are entitled to exactly the same health benefits as Spanish citizens. If you are eligible, you can apply for your Health Card (tarjeta sanitaria or SIP) at your local Medical Centre. You will need to take your passport, NIE (including photocopies of both), your social security document, your padron and your employment contract. After completing the registration process, you will receive a temporary healthcare card (tarjeta sanitaria). In approx 4-6 weeks, you will need to return to your Medical Centre where you will be given a permanent card which you will need to present whenever you go to a Medical Centre, Hospital or to collect prescriptions from the Pharmacy.
NB. All info correct as at July 2017.
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