Useful information

Visas

Hours

Healthcare

Medicines

Emergency telephone numbers

Average cost of living

Public transport

Practical information

Visas

If you need a student visa, the Spanish language school where you are going to take the course will provide you with a Certificate of Enrolment (Certificado de Inscripción) once you have formalised your registration.

We advise you to make your visa application well in advance (2 or 3 months) and to always check with the Consulate or Embassy as the conditions for obtaining a visa may change.

If your studies will last longer than six months, you must also apply in person for a foreigner’s identity card (NIE) at the Foreigners’ Office or Police Station in the province where your authorisation has been processed, within 30 days of your arrival.

Practical information

Hours

One thing that always surprises foreigners visiting Spain is opening hours, which can be quite different from what you are used to.
Business hours:
Shops are open:

Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 1:30 pm and from 4:30 pm to 8 pm, some of them are closed on Saturday afternoons. Shops are closed on Sundays.

Shopping Centres and Supermarkets

Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 8 pm.


Meal times

Breakfast between 7 and 10 am

Lunch between 2 and 4 pm

Dinner between 9 and 11 pm

You must take this into account because at other times it is often not possible to have a meal in bars and restaurants.

Practical information

Healthcare

In Spain, health care for citizens is covered by the National Health System through public healthcare facilities.

If you are a citizen of an EU member state, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, you will have full National Health System benefits if you have a European Health Insurance Card, which you must apply for in your home country before your trip.

Remember that private medical centres do not accept the European Health Insurance Card and in case of loss you will have to pay the costs in advance.

If you are a citizen of a country that is not on the above list, you should check if there is an agreement signed with Spain in relation to health care and ask for a certificate. Otherwise, we recommend that you take out medical insurance, which is compulsory if you need a student visa.

Practical information

Medicines

In Spain, medicines can only be purchased in pharmacies. Some are open 24 hours a day.

Practical information

Emergency telephone numbers

Call 112 for all types of emergencies: health, fire, rescue and public safety.

Practical information

Average cost of living

Here is the approximate average price of some products and services.
  • Coffee: 1.25€
  • A full breakfast: between 2€ and 4€.
  • Soda or beer: 2€.
  • Loaf of bread: between 0.70€ and 1€.
  • Set menu: 10 € and 16 € weekends and public holidays.
  • Single bus ticket: 1.55€
  • 10 journey travel pass:  9€
  • Newspaper: 1,20 € (higher price on Saturdays and Sundays)
  • Cinema: 7,90 € (discounts on some weekdays)
  • Internet connection: Approximately 40€ per month.

Practical information

Public transport

Asturias offers a “single ticket” that allows you to use train and bus throughout the region.
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