Living in Benidorm
Everything you need to know about living in Benidorm as a foreigner
Why move to Benidorm?
Main advantages
- Mediterranean climate with mild winters
- Wide range of leisure and entertainment options
- Diverse international community
- Proximity to Alicante airport
- Advanced tourist infrastructure
Best areas for foreigners
Choosing the right neighbourhood is essential for your experience in Benidorm.
Rincón de Loix
Tourist area with a large number of hotels and apartments. Rentals from 800-1,200€/month. Predominantly foreign residents, especially British. Services: supermarkets, restaurants, bars.
Centro
Heart of Benidorm, with pedestrian streets and shops. Rentals from 900-1,400€/month. Cosmopolitan atmosphere with a mix of locals and tourists. Services: shops, banks, public transport.
Poniente
Quieter area with a wide beach. Rentals from 700-1,100€/month. Ideal for families and people seeking a more relaxed environment. Services: schools, parks, health centers.
Levante
Lively area with intense nightlife. Rentals from 850-1,300€/month. Popular among young people and tourists. Services: nightclubs, bars, restaurants.
Cost of living: Real prices 2026
Housing rental
1-bedroom apartment in the center: 900-1,400€/month. 2-bedroom apartment in the outskirts: 700-1,100€/month. Shared room: 400-600€/month. Specific data for Benidorm.
🏢Property purchase
Average price per m² in Benidorm: 2,500-3,500€. Center vs outskirts. Trends 2026.
🛒Food and groceries
Weekly supermarket (2 people): 60-80€. Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: 12€. Menu of the day: 15€. Coffee: 1.50€.
🚗Transport
Bus/tram ticket: 1.50€. Monthly pass: 40€. Taxi start: 3.50€. Gasoline per liter: 1.65€. Data from Benidorm.
Climate
Benidorm has a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and warm summers. Average temperatures range from 12°C in winter to 26°C in summer. Rainfall is scarce, concentrating in autumn. The best time of year is spring and autumn, ideal for enjoying the beach and outdoor activities.
💡Utilities (water, electricity, internet)
Electricity + gas (70m² apartment): 100-150€/month. Internet: 30-50€/month. Water: 20-40€/month. Mobile: 20€/month.
Your first 30 days in Benidorm
Step-by-step guide for your first month. Don't waste time: follow this plan.
Week 1: Documentation and registration
Organize a folder with documents. Make an appointment for registration at Benidorm Town Hall. If you have a residence visa, make an appointment for TIE.
Week 2: Health and housing
Attend the registration appointment. Research access to healthcare (health center in Benidorm). If temporary, look for private insurance.
Week 3: Bank account and rental
Open a Spanish bank account (banks in Benidorm: Banco Santander, CaixaBank, Banco Sabadell). Look for permanent housing on portals or local groups.
Week 4: Integration and support network
Visit migrant support associations in Benidorm (see integration section). Enroll in a Spanish course. Review the month's progress.
Essential procedures
Settling legally in Spain requires completing several procedures.
- 1
Step 1: Apply for registration at the Benidorm Town Hall. Bring passport and rental contract.
- 2
Step 2: Obtain the NIE at the Benidorm Police Station. Requires prior appointment.
- 3
Step 3: Open a bank account by presenting NIE and passport.
- 4
Step 4: Registration at Benidorm Town Hall (Plaza SS.MM. Los Reyes de España, 1)
- 5
Step 5: TIE application at the Foreigners Office in Alicante (Calle Ebanistería, 4)
💡 Recommendation: Procedures can be complex. We connect you with specialised professionals who speak your language.
Request contact →Consulates and embassies
Foreign consulates in Benidorm or province offer services to citizens of their countries. Some procedures require going to the consulate in Madrid or major capitals.
Germany / France / Netherlands
Honorary consulates or agencies (verify according to country)
Search on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs websiteLatin American countries
Some have honorary consulates. Many refer to Madrid/Barcelona
Search 'Consulate of [country] in Spain'Basic documents for consular procedures
- • Passport or identity document
- • Specific forms for the procedure
- • Passport-sized photographs
- • Proofs (depends on the procedure: registration, qualification, etc.)
Work and entrepreneurship
Main sectors
Where to find employment
- → Infojobs, Indeed, LinkedIn
- → SEPE Office in Benidorm
- → Temporary employment agencies (ETT): Adecco, Randstad
- → Personal networks and Facebook groups in Benidorm
- → Specific portals for the tourism sector
Start a business
- 💼 Register as self-employed: ~250€/month fee
- 💼 Chambers of Commerce in Benidorm/province offer advice
- 💼 Coworkings in Benidorm: 'Coworking Benidorm' (growing)
- 💼 Resources: INFO (Murcia) or IVACE (Valencia) depending on province
- 💼 Business plan essential before starting
Entry conditions to Spain
Without visa
- ✓ EU/EEA/Swiss citizens: free movement
- ✓ Many Latin American countries: up to 90 days in 180 days without a visa
- ✓ You must carry: valid passport, return ticket, accommodation proof, financial means (min 100€/day, first day 900€), medical insurance 30,000€
With visa
- → If your country requires a Schengen visa: process it at the Spanish consulate
- → Long-term visas (residence): studies, work, non-lucrative, family reunification
- → Once in Spain, collect TIE within 30 days
Required documents
- 📄 Valid passport (min 3 months after planned departure)
- 📄 Round-trip ticket (or exit from Schengen area)
- 📄 Accommodation reservation or invitation letter
- 📄 Medical insurance with coverage 30,000€
- 📄 Proof of financial means
- 📄 Visa (if applicable)
Border crossing risks
Common mistakes
- ⚠️ Not carrying a return ticket within 90 days
- ⚠️ Not being able to prove financial means
- ⚠️ Inconsistencies between your story and documents (saying 'tourism' but carrying a CV)
- ⚠️ Fake or unconfirmed hotel reservations
- ⚠️ Passport about to expire
What NOT to do
- ✗ Do not lie about the purpose of the trip
- ✗ Do not enter with a work contract if you come as a tourist
- ✗ Do not use false or manipulated documents (serious crime)
- ✗ Do not argue with the border agent
- ✗ Do not travel without medical insurance if it is mandatory
Advice
- ✓ Carry copies of all documents (physical and digital)
- ✓ Answer questions clearly and coherently
- ✓ If detained, request to speak with a lawyer and contact your consulate
- ✓ Know your rights: right to an interpreter, explanation, assistance
- ✓ In case of denial, you can file appeals
Legal residency and nationality
Types of residency
- 1Temporary residence (1 year, renewable): studies, work, family reunification, non-lucrative
- 2Renewed temporary residence (2 years): after the first year
- 3Long-term residence (5 years): after 5 years of continuous legal residence
- 4Social roots: 3 years in Spain + work contract + ties
- 5Labor roots: 6 months worked (even without papers, difficult to prove)
Nationality process
- 🏛️ After 10 years of legal residence (general rule)
- 🏛️ After 2 years for Ibero-Americans, Andorra, Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal
- 🏛️ After 1 year for those born in Spain, refugees, married to a Spaniard
- 🏛️ Requirements: clean criminal record, DELE A2, CCSE, integration
- 🏛️ Advantages: EU citizenship, freedom of movement, voting rights
Practical integration
Support associations
- 🤝 Red Cross Benidorm
- 🤝 Social services of Benidorm Town Hall
- 🤝 Cepaim Foundation (if it has a delegation)
- 🤝 Other local NGOs
Language courses
- 📚 Official School of Languages (EOI) of Benidorm
- 📚 Free courses at Benidorm Town Hall
- 📚 NGOs: Red Cross, migrant associations
- 📚 Private academies
- 📚 Language exchanges in cafes and cultural centers
Useful apps
- 📱 My Social Security Folder (work life)
- 📱 Digital Certificate / Cl@ve (online procedures)
- 📱 Google Maps / Moovit (transport in Benidorm)
- 📱 Idealista / Fotocasa (housing)
- 📱 Local public transport app if available
Online communities
- 🌐 Facebook groups: 'Foreigners in Benidorm', 'Latinos in Benidorm'
- 🌐 Expat forums and blogs in Spain
- 🌐 Reddit: r/IWantOut, r/Spain
- 🌐 WhatsApp or Telegram groups of your nationality
Checklists
Before travelling
- ✅ Visa approved (if applicable)
- ✅ Valid passport (min 6 months)
- ✅ Medical insurance contracted (30,000€)
- ✅ Round-trip ticket
- ✅ Accommodation reservation for the first days
- ✅ Apostilled and translated documents
- ✅ Initial budget calculated
- ✅ Emergency contacts (consulate, lawyer, family)
First days
- ✅ Make an appointment for registration
- ✅ Make an appointment for TIE (if you have a residence visa)
- ✅ Search for permanent accommodation
- ✅ Locate health center
- ✅ Open a Spanish bank account
- ✅ Buy a Spanish SIM card
- ✅ Get oriented in the city (transport, supermarkets, services)
Procedures
- ✅ Registration completed
- ✅ TIE collected (if applicable)
- ✅ Registered with Social Security (if working)
- ✅ Rental contract signed
- ✅ Utilities registered (electricity, water, internet)
- ✅ Health card requested
- ✅ Digital certificate or Cl@ve obtained
Integration
- ✅ Enrolled in Spanish course
- ✅ Visited support association
- ✅ Joined a local group or community
- ✅ Familiar with neighborhood services
- ✅ Established routine
- ✅ Basic social network created
- ✅ Leisure activities identified
Frequently asked questions
How much money do I need to move to Benidorm?
To move to Benidorm, consider an initial budget of 3,000-4,000€ covering: deposit (1 month), first month's rent, installation expenses, reserve for the first months.
Is it difficult to find work in Benidorm?
In Benidorm, the sectors with the highest demand are: tourism, hospitality, and services. The job market is competitive. Resources: SEPE Office in Benidorm, online job portals.
What visa do I need to live in Benidorm?
It depends on your nationality and situation. EU citizens do not need a visa. Others: study, work, non-lucrative visa, etc. Consult the Spanish consulate in your country.
Are there consulates in Benidorm?
In Benidorm or its province, there are consulates of: United Kingdom, Germany, France. For most countries, you must go to Madrid/Alicante/Valencia.
Where can I learn Spanish in Benidorm?
In Benidorm you can: Official School of Languages, town hall (free courses), NGOs like Red Cross, private academies.
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