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Living on the Costa Blanca
Practical answers and everyday know-how for anyone spending real time here — from paperwork to picking up the language.
Practical answers and everyday know-how for anyone spending real time here — from paperwork to picking up the language.
Spain’s tax-funded public system — comprehensive and free at the point of use once you’re entitled to it, though not everyone qualifies automatically.
Employed/self-employed residents, UK state pensioners (via the S1 form), dependants, and short-stay visitors with a valid GHIC/EHIC card.
Dental care isn’t included — most residents, public or private, use a private dentist regardless.
Common for early retirees, non-workers, and anyone who wants shorter waiting times or a wider hospital network. Plans generally come in two shapes:
A higher monthly premium, but consultations, tests, and treatment are covered with little or no extra cost each time you visit.
A lower monthly premium, but you pay a smaller fee (a “copago”) each time you see a doctor or use a service — cheaper overall if you rarely need care.
Read Moraira Invest Group’s guide to international doctors on the Costa Blanca →
The coastal tram/light rail line links Alicante city with Benidorm, Altea, Calpe, and up toward Dénia — one of the easiest ways to hop between towns without driving.
The main regional bus operator, covering routes between towns and to Alicante-Elche Airport, including many stops the tram doesn’t reach.
Widely available in the bigger coastal towns, much less so inland — worth checking local coverage before relying on one in a quieter village.
Plastics & cans
Paper & cardboard
Glass
General waste
Most towns use street-corner “igloo” containers rather than kerbside collection. Exact setup and locations vary by municipality — check with your town hall or landlord when you move in.
This traditional rhythm is still common, especially with smaller, independently-run shops and inland towns. But plenty of Costa Blanca businesses — particularly international-run shops, restaurants, and anything in a tourist-heavy area — stay open right through the afternoon. Always worth double-checking the specific place you’re heading to rather than assuming either way.
Government-funded and free for residents. Teaching is in Spanish, with Valencian (the region’s co-official language) also compulsory as part of the curriculum.
A strong choice for families wanting full immersion into local language and culture — especially for younger children, who tend to pick up Spanish fastest this way.
State-subsidised but privately run, for a modest fee. Typically smaller class sizes and more individual attention than public schools, and often (though not always) run with a religious character.
A middle-ground option for families who want more personalised attention without the cost of a fully private or international school.
Follows a British, American, or International Baccalaureate curriculum, usually taught mainly in English. Popular with expat families, especially those planning to move again or wanting continuity with a home-country curriculum.
The Costa Blanca has a genuinely strong selection — including King’s College (Alicante), Laude Newton College (Elche), and Xabia International College (Jávea), among others.
What it usually comes down to: how long you’re planning to stay, how important full Spanish/Valencian immersion is to you, your budget, and whether your child would benefit more from a smaller, closer-knit environment (concertado) versus continuity with an international curriculum (private).
Read Moraira Invest Group’s full guide to schools on the Costa Blanca →
Providers include Iberdrola, Endesa, and Naturgy. You’ll typically need your NIE, a Spanish bank account, and the property’s existing supply reference (CUPS number) to switch it into your name.
Handled by the local municipal water company rather than a national provider, so the process and contact details vary by town — your town hall or estate agent can point you to the right one.
Movistar, Vodafone, and Orange are the major players, with fibre widely available in most coastal towns. Coverage can be patchier further inland, so it’s worth checking before committing to a rural property.
A full step-by-step utilities setup guide is coming soon — this section will link to it once it’s published.
You’ll get by with English in most tourist areas, but these go a long way — especially inland or with older locals.
The NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) is your foreigner ID number in Spain — you’ll need it for almost everything: buying property, opening a bank account, working, or registering utilities.
To apply, you’ll need: your passport (original + copy), the EX-15 application form, a written reason for needing it, and to pay a small government fee (typically around €10–12, paid via Modelo 790). You’ll usually need an appointment (cita previa) at a National Police foreigner office (Extranjería) or through a Spanish consulate if applying from abroad.
Empadronamiento is registering yourself at your local town hall (ayuntamiento) as a resident of that municipality. The certificate you get — the “volante” or “certificado de empadronamiento” — is different from your NIE, and you’ll likely need both.
It matters for: registering with public healthcare, enrolling children in school, exchanging a foreign driving licence, registering a vehicle, and (for EU citizens) voting in local elections.
You can usually register in person at your town hall, or online in some municipalities — search “[your town] empadronamiento cita previa” for the local process.
You’ll generally need your passport, your NIE, and proof of address (your empadronamiento certificate often works, though some banks accept a recent utility bill instead). Non-residents can usually open a “cuenta de no residente,” which has slightly different terms than a standard resident account.
Major Spanish banks (Santander, CaixaBank, BBVA, Sabadell) all have branches across the Costa Blanca and are used to dealing with foreign clients, especially in towns with large expat populations like Calpe, Moraira, and Jávea.
Whether you can exchange your licence directly (without retesting) depends on a reciprocal agreement between Spain and your home country — this varies significantly by country and has changed for UK licence holders since Brexit, so it’s worth checking your specific situation with the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico) or your consulate rather than assuming.
You’ll typically need your empadronamiento certificate as part of the exchange process, on top of your existing licence and NIE.
Doing it yourself is entirely possible and saves money — but Spanish bureaucracy can be slow, appointment systems fill up fast, and paperwork is usually only in Spanish. A gestoría (a local administrative agent) can handle appointments, paperwork, and translation on your behalf for a fee, which is often worth it if your Spanish is limited or your time in Spain is short.
Many buyers use a gestoría specifically to get their NIE sorted before arriving in Spain, via power of attorney.
Not in the way it’s expected in the UK or US. Tipping isn’t obligatory and service charges aren’t automatically added to the bill. Rounding up, or leaving a small amount (a few euros, or roughly 5–10% for a meal you were particularly happy with) is appreciated but genuinely optional — nobody will chase you down for skipping it.
This is general guidance, not legal advice — requirements can vary by municipality and change over time. Always confirm current requirements with the relevant Spanish authority or a licensed gestor/abogado before relying on this for an important process.