Living in Cartagena
Everything you need to know about living in Cartagena as a foreigner
Why move to Cartagena?
Main advantages
- Mediterranean climate with mild winters
- Rich historical and cultural heritage
- More affordable cost of living than in major cities
- Proximity to Corvera airport
- Diverse international community
Best areas for foreigners
Choosing the right neighbourhood is essential for your experience in Cartagena.
Centro Histórico
Vibrant area with historic buildings, museums, and restaurants. Rentals between 700-900€/month for a one-bedroom apartment. Popular among young professionals and expatriates.
Los Dolores
Quiet residential neighborhood with good connection to the center. More affordable rentals, between 500-700€/month. Ideal for families and those seeking tranquility.
La Manga del Mar Menor
Tourist area with beaches and water activities. High season rentals. Popular among tourists and expatriates seeking proximity to the sea.
Barrio de la Concepción
Residential area with local services, schools, and parks. Rentals between 600-800€/month. Attractive for families and long-term residents.
Cost of living: Real prices 2026
Housing rental
One-bedroom apartment in the center: 700-900€/month. Two-bedroom apartment in the outskirts: 600-800€/month. Shared room: 300-400€/month. Specific data for Cartagena.
🏢Property purchase
Average price per m² in Cartagena: 1,500-2,000€. City center more expensive than outskirts. 2026 trends indicate stability with a slight increase.
🛒Food and groceries
Weekly supermarket (2 people): 60-80€. Meal at a budget 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: 1.60€. Data from Cartagena.
Climate
Cartagena enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with mild winters and hot summers. Average temperatures range from 10°C in winter to 30°C in summer. Rainfall is scarce, concentrated in autumn. The best time to enjoy the city is spring.
💡Utilities (water, electricity, internet)
Electricity + gas (70m² apartment): 80-120€/month. Internet: 30-50€/month. Water: 20-30€/month. Mobile: 20€/month.
Your first 30 days in Cartagena
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. Schedule an appointment for registration at Cartagena City Hall. If you have a residence visa, schedule an appointment for TIE.
Week 2: Healthcare and housing
Attend the registration appointment. Research healthcare access (health center in Cartagena). If temporary, look for private insurance.
Week 3: Bank account and rental
Open a Spanish bank account (banks in Cartagena: Santander, BBVA, CaixaBank). Search for permanent housing on portals or local groups.
Week 4: Integration and support network
Visit migrant support associations in Cartagena (see integration section). Enroll in a Spanish course. Review the month.
Essential procedures
Settling legally in Spain requires completing several procedures.
- 1
Step 1: Schedule an appointment for registration at the Cartagena City Hall. Bring passport and rental contract.
- 2
Step 2: Obtain NIE at the Foreigners Office in Cartagena. Requires passport, appointment confirmation, and EX-15 form.
- 3
Step 3: Open a bank account at local branches (Santander, BBVA, etc.) with passport and NIE.
- 4
Step 4: Registration at Cartagena City Hall (Plaza del Ayuntamiento, 1).
- 5
Step 5: TIE application at Foreigners Office (Calle San Miguel, 8).
💡 Recommendation: Procedures can be complex. We connect you with specialised professionals who speak your language.
Request contact →Consulates and embassies
Foreign consulates in Cartagena or province offer services to citizens of their countries. Some procedures require visiting the consulate in Madrid or major capitals.
United Kingdom
Honorary Consulate in Cartagena (verify updated address)
https://www.gov.uk/world/spainGermany / France / Netherlands
Honorary consulates or agencies (verify by 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 Cartagena
- → Temporary employment agencies (ETT): Adecco, Randstad
- → Personal networks and Cartagena Facebook groups
- → Specific portals for the naval and energy sector
Start a business
- 💼 Register as self-employed: ~250€/month fee
- 💼 Chambers of Commerce in Cartagena/province offer advice
- 💼 Coworkings in Cartagena: Espacio Joven La Nave
- 💼 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 30,000€ coverage
- 📄 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 Latin Americans, Andorra, Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal
- 🏛️ After 1 year for those born in Spain, refugees, married to a Spaniard
- 🏛️ Requirements: clean record, DELE A2, CCSE, integration
- 🏛️ Advantages: EU citizenship, freedom of movement, voting rights
Practical integration
Support associations
- 🤝 Cruz Roja Cartagena
- 🤝 Social services of Cartagena City Hall
- 🤝 Fundación Cepaim (if it has a branch)
- 🤝 Murcia Acoge
- 🤝 Other local NGOs
Language courses
- 📚 Escuela Oficial de Idiomas (EOI) in Cartagena
- 📚 Free courses at Cartagena City Hall
- 📚 NGOs: Cruz Roja, migrant associations
- 📚 Private academies
- 📚 Language exchanges in cafes and cultural centers
Useful apps
- 📱 Mi Carpeta de la Seguridad Social (employment history)
- 📱 Digital Certificate / Cl@ve (online procedures)
- 📱 Google Maps / Moovit (transportation in Cartagena)
- 📱 Idealista / Fotocasa (housing)
- 📱 Local public transport app if available
Online communities
- 🌐 Facebook groups: 'Foreigners in Cartagena', 'Latinos in Cartagena'
- 🌐 Expats 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 first days
- ✅ Apostilled and translated documents
- ✅ Initial budget calculated
- ✅ Emergency contacts (consulate, lawyer, family)
First days
- ✅ Schedule registration appointment
- ✅ Schedule TIE appointment (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 a 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 Cartagena?
To move to Cartagena, consider an initial budget of 3,000-5,000€ covering: deposit (1 month), first month’s rent, setup expenses, reserve for the first few months.
Is it difficult to find a job in Cartagena?
In Cartagena, the sectors with the highest demand are: industry, energy, tourism, and services. The job market is competitive but accessible. Resources: SEPE Cartagena, Infojobs.
What visa do I need to live in Cartagena?
It depends on your nationality and situation. EU citizens do not need a visa. Others: study, work, non-lucrative visa, etc. Check with the Spanish consulate in your country.
Are there consulates in Cartagena?
In Cartagena or its province, there are consulates of: United Kingdom (honorary). For most countries, you must go to Madrid/Alicante/Valencia.
Where can I learn Spanish in Cartagena?
In Cartagena, you can: Escuela Oficial de Idiomas, city hall (free courses), NGOs like Cruz Roja, private academies.
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