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The cost of living in Spain is still relatively cheap compared with England for food, drink and cigarettes. Telephone, Electricity and water supplies are not cheap compared with Spanish living. Electricity bills (Ibedrola) are sent every 2 months, water bills (Aquagest) every 3 months. Gas is supplied as Calor Gas bottles in most places. A bottle of gas is approximately €12. If used in a gas heater and set on the lowest setting to be used in the evenings for about 5 or 6 hours, will last on average for 3 weeks during mild winter evenings. Obviously if used more frequently during the day, depending on the weather, a gas heater could only last a week. Always keep a spare bottle of gas, stored outside for safety.
Telefonica is Spain’s main telephone service provider, they also are part of Movistar, the mobile phone operator. At the time of writing, it is not always easy to get a telephone line installed, especially on a new development. Which is why many residents use mobile phones from either Vodafone or Movistar.
There are two ways of ordering a telephone line. Either by ringing 1004 and just holding on if you do not speak Spanish, until an operator comes on the line, then ask for an English Speaking Operator who will take your order. Or you can go to your local Telefonica office, where you will need to take with you your N.I.E number or your passport, then it’s a matter of waiting. A word of ‘warning’ if Telefonica ring you to say they are coming, you are given about 30 minutes notice - we suggest you arrange with your neighbour to let them in if you have to go out once you have ordered a telephone line.
The installation cost is around €150. If you have 2 sockets you may be charged for the additional sockets, You also have to arrange to set up a direct debit mandate with your Spanish Bank when you order your phone line.
As in the UK, your telephone bill will be itemized, but, instead of receiving the bill first, then your money taken from your bank account, Telefonica deduct the money first from your bank, you then receive your telephone bill..- clever !!!
Telefonica offer package deals, but it can be cheaper to shop around where a phone call to England can be as little as 3.9 plus IVA. Europa Network offer a cheaper alternative - worth contacting them on 0034 659 245 552
The Telephone line rental is €17.32 per month, the bill is sent every 2 months. On a new development waiting for a telephone can take anything from a few weeks to 3 years, depending on lines being available.
Below are approximate prices for everyday fresh foods, based on current market prices. There are a number of supermarkets in the area within 5 to 15 minutes walk of Flamenca Beach, Mercadona, MasYMas, Supercor, Lidl, Plus and Aldi. In Torrevieja there is a superstore called Carrefour which is similar to Tesco’s, selling everything from fresh food to electrical goods.
Fresh Food
Mince €3.50 Kilo, Fresh Chicken Breast €4.49 kilo, Packet pork chops €2.99. Small/medium fresh chicken
€2.89. Fresh stick loaf from €0.45, Milk €1.20, Lettuce from 0.89, tomatoes from €0.99 kilo, Green/Red peppers from €1.49 kilo , Granny Smiths apples from 1.89 kilo, 4 kilo oranges €2.00, Eggs from €0.75, Cut loaf from €1
Electrical Goods
Electrical goods in comparison are about the same as the UK, although washing machines are slightly more
expensive and less choice. Branded names are similar to those in the UK as well as some unknown names
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