Living in Elche
Everything you need to know about living in Elche as a foreigner
Why move to Elche?
Main advantages
- Mediterranean climate with mild winters and warm summers
- Important footwear and textile industry
- Proximity to Alicante airport, just 20 km away
- Wide cultural and heritage offer, including the Palmeral of Elche, a World Heritage Site
- Good educational and healthcare infrastructure
Best areas for foreigners
Choosing the right neighbourhood is essential for your experience in Elche.
Centro
The heart of Elche, with a mix of history and modernity. Rentals around 800-1000€/month for one-bedroom apartments. Lively area with restaurants, shops, and services.
Altabix
Popular residential area among families and students. More affordable rental prices, around 600-800€/month. Good transport connections and educational services.
El Pla
Quiet and well-connected area, ideal for those seeking a more relaxed environment. Rentals from 500€/month. Close to parks and green areas.
Carrús
Industrial and residential area with lower rental prices, from 400€/month. Diverse community and access to basic services.
Cost of living: Real prices 2026
Housing rental
One-bedroom apartment in the center: 800-1000€/month. Two-bedroom apartment in the outskirts: 600-800€/month. Shared room: 300-400€/month. Specific data for Elche.
🏢Property purchase
Average price per m² in Elche: 1,500-2,000€. City center more expensive than outskirts. 2026 trends indicate stability with slight appreciation.
🛒Food and groceries
Weekly supermarket (2 people): 50-70€. 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€. Gasoline per liter: 1.60€. Data from Elche.
Climate
Elche has a Mediterranean climate, with mild winters and hot summers. Average temperatures of 18-30°C in summer and 8-18°C in winter. Sparse rainfall, mainly in autumn. Best time of year: spring and autumn.
💡Utilities (water, electricity, internet)
Electricity + gas (70m² apartment): 80-120€/month. Internet: 30-50€/month. Water: 20-40€/month. Mobile: 20€/month.
Your first 30 days in Elche
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 Elche City Hall. If you have a residence visa, make an appointment for TIE.
Week 2: Healthcare and housing
Attend the registration appointment. Research healthcare access (health center in Elche). If temporary, look for private insurance.
Week 3: Bank account and rental
Open a Spanish bank account (banks in Elche: Banco Sabadell, CaixaBank). Look for permanent housing on portals or local groups.
Week 4: Integration and support network
Visit migrant support associations in Elche (see integration section). Enroll in a Spanish course. Review the month.
Essential procedures
Settling legally in Spain requires completing several procedures.
- 1
Step 1: Obtain NIE at the Foreigners Office in Elche. Bring passport, rental contract, and EX-15 form.
- 2
Step 2: Open a bank account at local banks like Banco Sabadell or CaixaBank. Bring NIE, passport, and proof of income.
- 3
Step 3: Apply for a health card at the nearest Health Center. You need NIE and registration.
- 4
Step 4: Registration at Elche City Hall, Plaza de Baix, 1. Bring rental contract and passport.
- 5
Step 5: Apply for TIE at the Foreigners Office, Calle Gabriel Miró, 32. Bring NIE, passport, and proof of registration.
💡 Recommendation: Procedures can be complex. We connect you with specialised professionals who speak your language.
Request contact →Consulates and embassies
Foreign consulates in Elche or province offer services to citizens of their countries. Some procedures require going to the consulate in Madrid or larger capitals.
Germany
Honorary Consulate in Alicante (verify updated address)
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 Elche
- → Temporary employment agencies (ETT): Adecco, Randstad
- → Personal networks and Facebook groups in Elche
- → Specific portals for the textile and footwear sector
Start a business
- 💼 Register as self-employed: ~250€/month fee
- 💼 Chambers of Commerce in Elche/province offer advice
- 💼 Coworkings in Elche: growing
- 💼 Resources: IVACE (Valencia)
- 💼 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, proof of accommodation, 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): study, 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 the 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 demonstrate 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 coming 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, ask 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): study, 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 Elche
- 🤝 Social services of Elche City Hall
- 🤝 Fundación Cepaim (if it has a delegation)
- 🤝 Other local NGOs
Language courses
- 📚 Official School of Languages (EOI) of Elche
- 📚 Free courses at Elche City Hall
- 📚 NGOs: Cruz Roja, 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 Elche)
- 📱 Idealista / Fotocasa (housing)
- 📱 Local public transport app if available
Online communities
- 🌐 Facebook groups: 'Foreigners in Elche', 'Latinos in Elche'
- 🌐 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 the first days
- ✅ Apostilled and translated documents
- ✅ Initial budget calculated
- ✅ Emergency contacts (consulate, lawyer, family)
First days
- ✅ Make registration appointment
- ✅ Make TIE appointment (if you have a residence visa)
- ✅ Look 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 set up (electricity, water, internet)
- ✅ Health card applied for
- ✅ Digital certificate or Cl@ve obtained
Integration
- ✅ Enrolled in a Spanish course
- ✅ Visited support association
- ✅ Joined a local group or community
- ✅ Familiarized with neighborhood services
- ✅ Established routine
- ✅ Created basic social network
- ✅ Identified leisure activities
Frequently asked questions
How much money do I need to move to Elche?
To move to Elche, consider an initial budget of 3,000-5,000€ covering: deposit (1 month), first month's rent, installation expenses, reserve for the first months.
Is it difficult to find a job in Elche?
In Elche, the sectors with the highest demand are: footwear, textiles, and agriculture. The job market is competitive, but there are opportunities. Resources: Elche Employment Office and portals like Infojobs.
What visa do I need to live in Elche?
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 Elche?
In Elche or its province, there are consulates of: the United Kingdom and Germany. For most countries, you must go to Madrid/Alicante/Valencia.
Where can I learn Spanish in Elche?
In Elche you can: Official School of Languages, town hall (free courses), NGOs like Cruz Roja, private academies.
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