Living on the Costa Blanca
For people who live here, not just visit: schools, local services, films in English, markets and the dates the community marks.
This page is for people who live on the Costa Blanca, or are about to move here: the things you need week to week, not just on holiday. It brings together 6 international and private schools, local trades and professionals, cinemas showing films in the original language, 11 regular markets and the dates the community marks through the year, all kept up to date like the rest of CostaRosta.
First steps when you move to the Costa Blanca
The usual order, in short. What applies depends on your nationality and situation, and the rules change: always check the official pages linked, or ask a gestoría. This isn't legal advice.
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Register on the padrón at the town hall
The padrón is your town's register of residents. You sign up at the town hall (ayuntamiento) of the municipality you live in, at the address where you actually live, and you can only be registered at one.
The padrón certificate is asked for almost everywhere else: public healthcare, a school place for your children, registering a car. Many offices want a recent one, so request a fresh copy when you need it, and update your registration if you move.
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Register as a resident and get your NIE
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens: if you'll live in Spain for more than three months, register on the Central Register of Foreign Nationals within three months of arriving, at the foreigners' office (Oficina de Extranjería) or police station for your province. You get a registration certificate (the 'green certificate') and your NIE, the foreigner's identity number you'll use for nearly everything.
UK and other non-EU citizens: your visa sets out whether you need to apply for a TIE (foreigner's identity card) once you arrive, and by when. You apply by appointment at the foreigners' office or police station. Britons who hold a green certificate from before 2021 should swap it for a TIE. Appointments can take a while, so book early.
Policía Nacional (EU citizens) ↗ GOV.UK (TIE for UK nationals) ↗
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Sort out healthcare
Public healthcare needs an entitlement: through working and paying social security in Spain; if you draw a UK State Pension, by registering an S1 form with the INSS (the social security office); or by paying into the public scheme (convenio especial), open to you after a year on the padrón. Until one applies, you'll need private health insurance. Proof of health cover is also asked for when you register as a resident.
Once you're entitled, get the SIP card, issued by the Valencian regional health service (Conselleria de Sanidad). You request it online, then collect it at the health centre for your address. You must be on the padrón in a Valencian town; take your NIE or passport and a recent padrón certificate.
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Exchange your driving licence
Once you're resident, a licence from outside the EU is only valid for six months. Spain and the UK have had an agreement since March 2023: a UK licence can be exchanged for a Spanish one at the DGT (the traffic authority) without a test, and you should apply before those six months are up (you'll need a check code from the DVLA, or the DVA for a Northern Ireland licence). Licences from Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man can't be exchanged.
Licences from EU and EEA countries follow different rules, which the DGT sets out.
DGT (UK licence exchange) ↗ DGT (countries with agreements) ↗ GOV.UK ↗
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Know when you become tax resident
Spain's tax agency treats you as tax resident if you spend more than 183 days of the calendar year in Spain, or if your main economic activities or interests are based here. As a resident you may need to file an annual tax return, and you must declare assets you hold outside Spain. A tax adviser or gestoría can tell you what applies to you.
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Find a school
School is compulsory in Spain from 6 to 16. For a place at a state school you'll need your padrón certificate; each region runs its own admissions process. If you're looking at international or private schools, we list 6 on the Costa Blanca.
Checked against the official sources 8 November 2026.
Services by trade
Dates coming up
Town by town on the Costa Blanca
Good to know
What do I need to do first when I move to the Costa Blanca?
Register on the padrón at your town hall, register as a resident to get your NIE (or your TIE if you're from outside the EU), sort out healthcare and, if you drive, exchange your licence within six months of becoming resident. Each step is explained above, with links to the official pages.
Are there international schools on the Costa Blanca?
Yes. We list 6; 6 teach the British curriculum and 1 offer the International Baccalaureate (IB), in Alicante and Jávea. Each listing gives ages, approximate fees and the school's website.
Where can I see films in English on the Costa Blanca?
Look for VOSE showings (original version with Spanish subtitles). This week they're on at NeoCine Paseo del Mar (Torrevieja) and Yelmo Cines Puerta de Alicante. Our films-in-English page lists every one.
Which days are the markets on the Costa Blanca?
We list 11 regular markets. The markets page sorts them by day of the week, with each one's hours and location.
How do I find a plumber, a gestoría or an air-con engineer?
Our local services directory groups businesses by trade, with their phone number and website. We don't take bookings: you contact the business directly. If you run one, you can register it.