Essential Services

Currency

cash eurosSpain is in the eurozone so the euro is the currency here. The euro breaks down into 100 euro cents (céntimos).

Notes: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500

Coins (euro): 1, 2

Coins (cents): 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50

Banks

Banks in Spain Most banks can be identified by the words Banco, Caja or Caixa. The biggest banks include, BBVA, Banco de Santander, Caixa de Cataluña, Caja España and Unicaja. Banks usually open from 8.30am to 2pm Monday to Friday. Cash machines (ATMs) are known as cajeros automáticos and are widely available. With ATMs you can carry out transactions in English and it saves time queuing in banks. However, be careful with bank charges.

Major credit cards are widely accepted. Although your card is usually passed through a reader, you often have to enter your PIN on a keypad.

Post Office

Spain Post Office Spain The main post offices are usually centrally-located in main cities and towns. If you want stamps, it is often easier to get them in a tobacconist’s (known as estancos) as local post offices are few and far between. Post boxes (yellow) are usually dotted around cities and towns

Refuse Collection

Refuse Collection Spain Most homes have at least two rubbish bins: one for organic material, one for inorganic material. All rubbish should be placed in waste containers which can be found in most streets. There are separate containers for different types of household rubbish. The grey containers are for organic material (left-over food, scraps, house dust, etc.), the yellow containers are for inorganic material (cartons, packets, etc.), the green containers are for glass (bottles, jars, etc.) and the blue containers are for paper & card (boxes, newspapers, etc.). Refuse is collected at night, every night, seven days a week! You shouldn’t leave your refuse in the bins before 8pm (it smells, especially in summer!). If you ignore local regulations in this regard, you could be fined.

Electricity

Electricity in SpainElectricity bills in rented accommodation are usually in the tenant’s name. You can pay your electricity bill through your bank account. Some landlords/ladies, however, prefer you to pay amenities such as electricity, water and community charges directly to them.

Gas

GasBottled gas is necessary for hot water and cooking in some rented accommodation. In such cases the landlord/lady will have a contract with the local supplier and you can phone a local number to order gas. It’s wise to have a spare gas bottle at all times and to order more the moment one runs out as running out of gas completely is very inconvenient.

Internet Cafes

Internet Cafe SpainInternet cafes are widely available in most cities, towns and villages. Many internet cafes also have phone booths (called locutorios) which offer very competitive rates for international calls.

Police

Police in SpainThere are three police forces in operation in Spain: the policía local (known as los municipales) who deal with local bylaws and parking, the guardia civíl who deal mainly with traffic accidents and driving offences, and the policía nacional who deal with law and order.

Spanish police are not as approachable as in some other countries.

Other Emergency Services

cash euros
Ambulance/Health Emergencies 061/112
Fire Brigade 080
Police (National) 091
Police (Local) 092
 

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