Your first week on the Costa Blanca: a practical checklist

You have landed in Alicante. The suitcases are in your temporary (or permanent) flat, the sun is streaming through the window and everything seems perfect. But between the first-day euphoria and routine there is a list of practical things worth sorting as soon as possible. This is your first-week checklist — you do not need to complete everything in 7 days, but the sooner you start, the sooner life here works normally.

Day 1-2: the immediate

1. Buy a Spanish SIM

First things first: communication. Prepaid SIM cards are sold at operator shops (Movistar, Vodafone, Orange, Yoigo) or at tobacconists and supermarkets. You need your passport to register the SIM (legally required).

Budget options: Lycamobile / Lebara (from €5-10/month), Digi (20 GB + unlimited calls ~€10/month), Movistar / Orange / Vodafone (€15-30/month, better rural coverage and fibre).

If you have a European plan with roaming, it works in Spain — but roaming has fair-use limits. For residing, you need a local plan.

2. Find your supermarket

Not glamorous, but urgent. Main supermarkets: Mercadona (most widespread, good quality, competitive prices), Consum (Valencian cooperative, excellent quality), Lidl / Aldi (budget-friendly), municipal market (fresh produce, mornings 7:00-14:00).

3. Open Google Maps and pin key locations

Nearest health centre, nearest pharmacy (and the duty one), National Police station, town hall, supermarkets, bus/tram station. Seems obvious, but having these saved spares time and stress when you really need them.

Day 2-3: essential bureaucracy

4. Register (empadronamiento)

The procedure that unlocks everything else. Go to the town hall with your passport/NIE and rental contract or deed. If you need an appointment (Alicante, Torrevieja, Benidorm), request it ASAP — appointments can take 1-2 weeks.

5. Confirm or obtain your NIE

The NIE is your tax ID in Spain. If you bought property, you already have it. If you arrived on a visa, it may be on your TIE. If you do not have it yet, apply at the National Police station (with appointment).

Day 3-4: finances

6. Open a Spanish bank account

You need a local account for direct debits (electricity, water, gas, internet, community fees), receiving rent if you are an investor-landlord and daily operations.

Main banks: CaixaBank (largest ATM/branch network), BBVA (good online banking), Sabadell (strong in Valencia region, experienced with foreign clients), Bankinter (personal service).

Documents needed: passport, NIE (or TIE), empadronamiento certificate (not always mandatory but helps), proof of income or employment.

Digital alternative: if you have Revolut or Wise with a euro account and Spanish IBAN, you can start operating from day one while setting up the traditional account.

Day 4-5: health

7. Register at the health centre

If you are entitled to public healthcare (through employment, Social Security or convenio especial), or are an EU citizen with EHIC or S1 form, visit the health centre nearest your registered address and request the SIP card.

If you have private insurance (mandatory with non-lucrative or digital nomad visa), confirm your policy covers your area and locate your insurer's nearest private medical centres.

Emergencies: the number is 112. Covers police, fire and ambulance. Save it on your phone.

8. Locate the duty pharmacy

Spanish pharmacies have commercial hours (9:30-14:00 and 17:00-20:30 approx.) and a rotating duty system for nights, Sundays and holidays. The nearest duty pharmacy is displayed on a notice at each pharmacy's door.

Day 5-7: settling in

9. Set up utilities

If your flat is new or utilities are in the previous tenant's/owner's name, you need to contract or change ownership of: electricity (Iberdrola, Endesa, Naturgy or cheaper retailers like Holaluz, Digi), water (municipal supply — Aguas de Alicante, Hidraqua, Aqualia depending on area), gas (if applicable — Naturgy), internet + TV (Movistar, Orange, Vodafone, Digi — fibre available in most urban areas, 3-10 day installation).

10. Explore your neighbourhood

The last checklist item is the most important and the most enjoyable: go for a walk. Discover your streets, the nearest beach, the café where you will have breakfast tomorrow, the bar where you will dine on Friday, the park where your child will run on Saturday. Talk to the neighbours — even with three words of Spanish and plenty of body language. The Costa Blanca is not just a place to live — it is a place where life is lived in the sun, on the street, among people. And that starts when you step outside.

Summary: the checklist

• ☐ Spanish SIM bought and activated
• ☐ Supermarket found and first shop done
• ☐ Key locations pinned on Google Maps (health centre, pharmacy, police, town hall)
• ☐ Empadronamiento requested (or appointment booked)
• ☐ NIE confirmed or applied for
• ☐ Spanish bank account opened (or in progress)
• ☐ Health centre registered and SIP card requested
• ☐ Duty pharmacy located
• ☐ Utilities contracted or ownership changed
• ☐ Neighbourhood explored, first coffee had, first smile to a neighbour

Frequently asked questions

Can I do all this without speaking Spanish?

Most procedures can be handled with basic English in the Costa Blanca's international areas (Torrevieja, Jávea, Benidorm, Calpe). Banks and utility companies have English helplines. The town hall is where you will most need Spanish — but many have bilingual staff or you can bring someone to translate.

How much money do I need for the first week?

Excluding rent (probably already paid), budget around €300-500: SIM (€10-15), supermarket shop (€100-150), eating out (€50-100), transport (€20-50) and a cushion for unexpected costs. Procedures (empadronamiento, NIE, bank) are free or minimal cost (€5-30).

In what order should I do the procedures?

Ideal order: (1) SIM, (2) empadronamiento, (3) NIE (if you do not have it), (4) bank account, (5) health centre, (6) utilities. Empadronamiento is the priority because it is a prerequisite for almost everything else. The bank account needs the NIE. The health centre needs the empadronamiento.

Do I need a car from day one?

Depends on where you live. In Alicante city, central Benidorm or central Torrevieja, public transport, taxis and mobility apps cover the first weeks. In outlying urbanisations, a car is almost essential from day one. Car hire in Alicante is competitive: from €15-25/day or €300-500/month.

What if I have an emergency before getting my health card?

Go to the nearest hospital A&E. In Spain, emergency care is guaranteed for everyone, no exceptions. You will be treated. Billing is resolved afterwards — emergency care is never refused. The emergency number is 112.

Welcome to the Costa Blanca. If you are looking for the property that will become your new home, explore our available properties or contact us for a personalised consultation.