Living in San Javier
Everything you need to know about living in San Javier as a foreigner
Why move to San Javier?
Main advantages
- Mediterranean climate with more than 300 days of sunshine a year
- Lower cost of living compared to large cities
- Proximity to the Mar Menor, ideal for water sports
- Good connectivity with Corvera airport just 5 km away
- Active international community with 25% foreigners
Best areas for foreigners
Choosing the right neighbourhood is essential for your experience in San Javier.
Santiago de la Ribera
Coastal neighborhood with a tourist atmosphere, rentals from 600€/month for 1-bedroom apartments. Popular among retirees and foreign families. Services: supermarkets, restaurants, and beach access.
San Javier Centro
Administrative and commercial center of the city. Rentals from 500€/month for 1-bedroom apartments. Mixed resident profile, with locals and expatriates. Services: banks, shops, and municipal offices.
La Manga del Mar Menor
Exclusive tourist area, rentals from 800€/month for 1-bedroom apartments. Predominantly tourists and temporary residents. Services: hotels, luxury restaurants, and water activities.
Roda
Quiet residential area, ideal for families. Rentals from 550€/month for 1-bedroom apartments. Local community and some expatriates. Services: schools, parks, and local shops.
Cost of living: Real prices 2026
Housing rental
1-bedroom apartment in the center: 500-700€/month. 2-bedroom apartment in the outskirts: 600-800€/month. Shared room: 300-400€/month. Specific data for San Javier.
🏢Property purchase
Average price per m² in San Javier: 1,500-2,000€. City center more expensive than outskirts. Trends 2026: stability with slight increase.
🛒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 San Javier.
Climate
San Javier has a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and hot summers. Average temperatures range between 10°C in winter and 30°C in summer. Rainfall is scarce, concentrated in autumn. The best time of year is spring and autumn when the weather is milder.
💡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 San Javier
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 the San Javier Town 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 San Javier). If temporary, look for private insurance.
Week 3: Bank account and rental
Open a Spanish bank account (banks in San Javier: CaixaBank, Banco Santander). Search for permanent housing on portals or local groups.
Week 4: Integration and support network
Visit migrant support associations in San Javier (see integration section). Enroll in a Spanish course. Review the month.
Essential procedures
Settling legally in Spain requires completing several procedures.
- 1
Step 1: Apply for registration at the San Javier Town Hall, Plaza de España, 3.
- 2
Step 2: Obtain NIE at the Foreigners Office in Murcia.
- 3
Step 3: Open a bank account at local banks like CaixaBank or Banco Santander.
- 4
Step 4: Registration at San Javier Town Hall (Plaza de España, 3)
- 5
Step 5: TIE application at Foreigners Office (location in Murcia)
💡 Recommendation: Procedures can be complex. We connect you with specialised professionals who speak your language.
Request contact →Consulates and embassies
Foreign consulates in San Javier 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 San Javier (verify updated address)
https://www.gov.uk/world/spainGermany / 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, qualifications, etc.)
Work and entrepreneurship
Main sectors
Where to find employment
- → Infojobs, Indeed, LinkedIn
- → SEPE Office in San Javier
- → Temporary employment agencies (ETT): Adecco, Randstad
- → Personal networks and Facebook groups of San Javier
- → Specific portals for the tourism sector
Start a business
- 💼 Register as self-employed: ~250€/month fee
- 💼 Chambers of Commerce of San Javier/province offer advice
- 💼 Coworkings in San Javier: 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 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 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): 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 criminal record, DELE A2, CCSE, integration
- 🏛️ Advantages: EU citizenship, freedom of movement, voting rights
Practical integration
Support associations
- 🤝 Murcia Acoge
- 🤝 Red Cross San Javier
- 🤝 Social services of the San Javier Town Hall
- 🤝 Cepaim Foundation (if it has a delegation)
- 🤝 Other local NGOs
Language courses
- 📚 Official School of Languages (EOI) of San Javier
- 📚 Free courses at San Javier 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 (transportation San Javier)
- 📱 Idealista / Fotocasa (housing)
- 📱 Local public transport app if available
Online communities
- 🌐 Facebook groups: 'Foreigners in San Javier', 'Latinos in San Javier'
- 🌐 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 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 (transportation, supermarkets, services)
Procedures
- ✅ Registration completed
- ✅ TIE collected (if applicable)
- ✅ Registered with Social Security (if you work)
- ✅ Rental contract signed
- ✅ Utilities set up (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 San Javier?
To move to San Javier, consider an initial budget of 2,000-3,000€ covering: deposit (1 month), first month's rent, setup expenses, reserve for the first months.
Is it difficult to find a job in San Javier?
In San Javier, the sectors with the highest demand are: tourism, hospitality, and services. The job market is competitive but accessible. Resources: SEPE Office in San Javier.
What visa do I need to live in San Javier?
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 San Javier?
In San Javier 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 San Javier?
In San Javier you can: Official School of Languages, town hall (free courses), NGOs like Red Cross, private academies.
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