rangfar
French looking for information about Spain
Forum posts
18
Contacts
1
About me
French
Registration: 30 January 2023
Activity
Payment methods in Spain by Priscilla
Hello everyone, Once youre settled in Spain, you will need to make some basic purchases, like groceries or pay bills. Hence, it is essential to know the payment methods available in your host country. Which are the most common payment methods ...
I still have a non resident account at Bankinter (it took 15 minutes to open whereas I have been refused by Caixa, Santander and BBVA!), and my French account with its debit card. In daily life I use either this debit card or cash. As soon as I have ... Read More
spanish hospitality by anelia
hello to every body:)i would like to know what kind or people are spanish as a touristic hosts..i like to go there for a holiday but i dont like to meet unkind people or cold behavior..thanks in advance:)
People are usually very friendly and hospitable. Occasionally someone does something unlikeable like just this morning; a shop tenant who (with a smile and a flourish) sold me the most ugly bell pepper they had instead of giving me a decent one. But ... Read More
Obtaining Padron and residency by digger79
Hi, Moved over in Jan and am in a short term let until I get everything sorted. I have opened a bank account and obtained my NIE. Next step is the Padron which is causing a bit of a problem. I know what is needed but what I don't have is a ...
@digger79 Hi there, Just after the last lockdown I helped a Dutch traveller get the padrón (he didn't speak any Spanish). He was vacationing in Spain during the wintertime and needed one in order to renew his vaccine here in Spain. So I ... Read More
Mobile phone advice by normanhardwick
Hi,coming to stay in Valencia for n5 weeks in the New Year. Any advice regarding using my UK mobile noe that Roaming is charged currently (on my network) at £2 per day. Am I better getting a Spanish Network Sim .Thanks in advance regardsNorman
Hello, I simply went to a local store and bought a rechargeable SIM from Másmovil: for 10€ I have 40Gb of data and unlimited calls for one month. But I suppose there are other providers with inexpensive rechargeable offers for which you ... Read More
Moving to Spain solo by Cheryl
Hello everybody, Moving to Spain is a challenge in itself, but even more when you decide to go alone. If this was your case when you arrived, we would like you to share your experience. It might help other people who are also preparing for this ...
I just moved to Spain as a solo amputee female (with reduced mobility) and I feel perfectly safe here, even though I live near a city that has a bad reputation.I have found moving here no problem at all, under a few conditions:1) Start learning the ... Read More
Sense of humour in Spain by Bhavna
Hello everyone, Should we set out to explore Spanishs culture through its sense of humour? Indeed, if one is planning to settle in the country, it is best to understand the cultural codes governing humour in order to avoid any faux-pas. What ...
@Writerman if you want to discover true basic humour you should try watching French film "La cité de la Peur"! ;-p I have never managed to watch more than five minutes of that... For a good dose of Spanish humour, the carnival of Cadiz is ... Read More
Banking in Spain by Colby G
Howdy I am an American Expat - currently living in Spain. I am hoping you can help me. I have been living here for 3 months and I am applying for a student visa currently. I am trying to find a way open a bank account in Spain because my ...
Hello, Not getting favourable replies from the main banks: Caixa, Santander and BBVA, I walked into a local Bankinter agency...and ten minutes later I had an account for non residents. (I needed one to purchase my future place of residence.) I ... Read More
Updating our Spain guide by Anne-Lise Mty
Dear members of the Spain forum, I hope you’re doing well. Our editorial team is hard at work and we’re looking to update and review our Spain guide before the end of the year. We would like to better cater to your needs and as such, are ...
Hello,It would be extremely useful to learn about how to organise a move to Spain when one has a disability or chronic illness. For example: What are our rights, what are the procedures to have one's disability or chronic illness recognised in ... Read More
Maximum stay : 183 days ? by rangfar
Hello, I often spend my winters in Spain and this year I have some difficulty getting back to my home country 'on time'. What happens if I spend more than 183 days on Spanish territory... and how do they verify this? By the way, I am a EU citizen ...
@lucysurf I have an international insurance card from the French CPAM health insurance system, with which I can use the public health system in European countries without extra costs. But I do not know if they verify the number of days.I usually ... Read More
Maximum stay : 183 days ?
Hello, I often spend my winters in Spain and this year I have some difficulty getting back to my home country 'on time'. What happens if I spend more than 183 days on Spanish territory... and how do they verify this? By the way, I am a EU citizen ... Read More
The work culture in Spain by Mickael
Hello everyone, As an expatriate, working in Spain can present unique opportunities but also challenges. Discovering new communication styles, adapting to new cultural norms... working in Spain can be both exciting and confusing. Share your ...
I would say: "It depends!"Yes, work ethics can be lacking in some Spanish employees, but certainly not all! The work days here are surprisingly long compared to France with it's standard 35-hour weeks. The rythm is different too, much slower: ... Read More
Access to Healthcare system in Spain as an EU/UK citizen by catwashkat5781
Hi there, I am a UK/German/Israeli citizen having lived for the last 23 years in the UK. I suffer from Arthritis and thus am intending to move to Spain, initially in a campervan I am also intending to live in. At least for the foreseeable future ...
Hello, at least in southern Spain the key words seem to be patience and perseverance. (Keep on smiling!) Administration here isn't especially difficult, at least for me coming from France which is renowned for its endless and convoluted red tape... ... Read More
NIE - Any way to check status of application after 2 months wait? by Alex9911
Hi! I have applied for a NIE at the consulate of Manchester more than 8 weeks ago, on Dec 19th. I still haven't received anything. On the website they say that 'normally' it's being issued within 2 weeks.Is there any way to find out if my ...
Do you have the possibility to go to the consulate of Manchester again and just knock on their door? If nothing else works, that might be the surest way of having them track down your NIE application...Btw., I received mine in a little less than 3 ... Read More
Bank Recommendations by Snapper55
Hi, my wife Renae and I are from Wisconsin in the US. We are retirerees who have traveled a good deal but who now want to establish a residence in Barcelona. We have secured NIE numbers from the consulate in Chicago. We will travel to Barcelona ...
A few days ago after having been refused by the BBVA who, theoretically (!), do have a bank account for non resident foreigners, I walked into a Bankinter agency: Ten minutes later I had an account! The documentation they asked was : my passport, ... Read More
New members of the Spain forum, introduce yourselves here - 2023 by Julien
Hi all, Newbie on the Spain forum? Don't know how to start? This thread is for you ;) We invite you to introduce yourself on this topic, to share with us your expat story if you are already living in the country, or to tell us more on your expat ...
Hi! I am Leen, originally from Belgium but living in France since 2004, and now on my way to living in Spain (Cádiz provincia, Andalucía).I have already been spending my winters there for a few years (except during the COVID ... Read More