Expat Guide to Living in Costa Blanca, Costa Cálida, Costa Almería & Costa del Sol

1. NIE Number (Número de Identificación de Extranjero)
Your NIE is essential for:

• Buying property
• Opening a bank account
• Registering for utilities
• Accessing healthcare

👉 A Spanish lawyer can handle this entire process via a Power of Attorney, meaning you don’t even need to be in Spain to start your relocation.

2. Empadronamiento (Town Hall Registration)
Register at your local Ayuntamiento (town hall) within 90 days. Required for:

• Healthcare & school access
• Voting rights in local elections
• Proof of residence

3. Residency Certificate
EU citizens staying longer than 90 days must apply for a residency certificate. Benefits include:

• Full healthcare coverage
• Social services access
• Long-term residency rights

📌 Tip: At Prime Estate Luxury Homes, we connect you with multilingual lawyers who can manage all paperwork—including NIE, residency, empadronamiento, tax registration—on your behalf.

At Prime Estate Luxury Homes, we specialize in helping international clients find the perfect property along Spain’s Mediterranean coastlines.

Popular Expat Areas We Cover

• Costa Blanca North (Jávea, Denia, Altea, Calpe): Mountain views, charming old towns, strong Dutch & German communities. See More
• Costa Blanca South (Torrevieja, Orihuela Costa, Guardamar): Sandy beaches, modern developments, vibrant British & Scandinavian expat life. See More
• Costa Cálida (Murcia, Mar Menor Area, Cartagena, Mazarrón): Peaceful lifestyle, affordable villas, warm microclimate. See More
• Costa Almería (Mojácar, Vera, Aguilas): Authentic Spain, unspoiled beaches, growing French & Belgian communities. See More
• Costa del Sol (Málaga, Marbella, Estepona, Fuengirola): Luxury living, international schools, vibrant nightlife, golf & yachting. See More

👉 Browse our curated selection of luxury villas, beachfront apartments, and golf resort homes at Prime Estate Luxury Homes.

Banks with Expat Services:

• Banco Sabadell – +34 963 085 000 | bancsabadell.com/expats
• CaixaBank – +34 900 101 010 | caixabank.es
• BBVA – +34 902 200 200 | bbva.es

Utilities Providers:

• Electricity: Iberdrola (+34 900 225 235 | iberdrola.es)
• Gas: Naturgy (+34 900 100 251 | naturgy.es)
• Internet & TV: Movistar (1004), Orange (1470), Vodafone (123)

Spain offers excellent healthcare through both public and private systems.

Public Healthcare (SIP Card): Free for registered residents. Register at your local Centro de Salud.

Private Healthcare (popular with expats for faster, multilingual service):

• Sanitas – +34 902 102 454 | sanitas.es
• Adeslas – +34 902 200 200 | adeslas.es
• DKV – +34 902 499 499 | dkvseguros.com
• ASISA – +34 902 010 010 | asisa.es
• Mapfre Salud – +34 918 366 240 | mapfre.es/salud

👉 Many expats choose dual coverage: Spanish public healthcare + private insurance for English-speaking specialists and shorter waiting times.

• Airports: Alicante (Costa Blanca), Murcia-Corvera (Costa Cálida), Almería, Málaga (Costa del Sol).
• Public Transport: ALSA buses (+34 902 422 242 | alsa.es), Renfe trains (+34 912 320 320 | renfe.com).
• Driving: EU licenses valid, easily exchangeable for Spanish licenses.

• Dutch & Belgian Expats: Strong presence in Costa Blanca North and Costa Cálida.
• French Expats: Popular in Costa Almería and Costa del Sol.
• German Expats: Settled in Costa Blanca North and Marbella.
• Nordic Expats: Found in Fuengirola, Marbella, Alicante.

👉 Connect through local clubs, Facebook groups, and cultural associations for faster integration.

Emergency Numbers:

• General Emergency: 112 (English-speaking operators available)
• National Police: 091
• Local Police: 092
• Ambulance: 061

Residency & Taxes:

• NIE & Residency: Local Police Stations (Comisaría de Policía)
• Tax Office (Agencia Tributaria): agenciatributaria.gob.es | +34 901 335 533

Hospitals & Health Centers:

• Hospital Costa del Sol (Marbella): +34 951 976 669
• Centro de Salud Alicante-Babel: +34 965 938 824

Transport:

• ALSA Bus: +34 902 422 242
• RENFE: +34 912 320 320
• Alicante Airport (ALC): +34 913 211 000
• Málaga Airport (AGP): +34 952 048 838

Banks & Services:

• Banco Sabadell: +34 963 085 000
• CaixaBank: +34 900 101 010
• BBVA: +34 902 200 200