Living in Torrevieja
Everything you need to know about living in Torrevieja as a foreigner
Why move to Torrevieja?
Main advantages
- Mediterranean climate with mild winters
- Lower cost of living than other coastal cities
- Large and welcoming international community
- Proximity to Alicante airport (40 km)
- Developed tourist infrastructure
Best areas for foreigners
Choosing the right neighbourhood is essential for your experience in Torrevieja.
La Mata
Coastal neighborhood with a quiet atmosphere, ideal for retirees and families. Rental prices: 600-800€/month for a 2-bedroom apartment. Excellent access to beaches and basic services.
Centro
Vibrant area with access to shops, restaurants, and services. Rental prices: 700-1,000€/month for a 2-bedroom apartment. Popular among young people and professionals.
Aguas Nuevas
Modern residential neighborhood, popular among families and expatriates. Rental prices: 650-900€/month for a 2-bedroom apartment. Good transport connections and educational services.
Los Balcones
Quiet residential area with views of the sea and salt lake. Rental prices: 600-850€/month for a 2-bedroom apartment. Ideal for those seeking a more natural environment.
Cost of living: Real prices 2026
Housing rental
1-bedroom apartment in the center: 600-800€/month. 2-bedroom apartment in the outskirts: 500-700€/month. Shared room: 300-400€/month. Specific data for Torrevieja.
🏢Property purchase
Average price per m² in Torrevieja: 1,500-2,000€. Center vs outskirts. Trends 2026.
🛒Food and groceries
Weekly supermarket (2 people): 50-70€. Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: 12€. Menu of the day: 10€. Coffee: 1.50€.
🚗Transport
Bus/tram ticket: 1.50€. Monthly pass: 40€. Taxi start: 3.50€. Gasoline per liter: 1.60€. Data from Torrevieja.
Climate
Torrevieja has a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and hot summers. Average temperatures range from 12°C in winter to 30°C in summer. Rainfall is scarce, concentrating in autumn. The best time of the year is spring, ideal for enjoying the beaches and outdoor activities.
💡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 Torrevieja
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 Torrevieja 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 Torrevieja). If temporary, look for private insurance.
Week 3: Bank account and rental
Open a Spanish bank account (banks in Torrevieja: Sabadell, CaixaBank, BBVA). Look for permanent housing on portals or local groups.
Week 4: Integration and support network
Visit migrant support associations in Torrevieja (see integration section). Enroll in a Spanish course. Review the month.
Essential procedures
Settling legally in Spain requires completing several procedures.
- 1
Step 1: Request registration at the Torrevieja Town Hall. Bring passport and rental contract.
- 2
Step 2: Apply for the NIE at the Foreigners' Office in Alicante. Bring passport and registration proof.
- 3
Step 3: Open a bank account at a local bank. Bring NIE and proof of address.
- 4
Step 4: Registration at Torrevieja Town Hall, Plaza de la Constitución, 1, 03181 Torrevieja, Alicante.
- 5
Step 5: TIE application at the Foreigners' Office in Alicante, Calle Ebanistería, 4, 03008 Alicante.
💡 Recommendation: Procedures can be complex. We connect you with specialised professionals who speak your language.
Request contact →Consulates and embassies
Foreign consulates in Torrevieja or the province offer services to citizens of their countries. Some procedures require going to the consulate in Madrid or larger capitals.
United Kingdom
Honorary Consulate in Torrevieja (verify current address)
https://www.gov.uk/world/spainLatin 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 Torrevieja
- → Temporary employment agencies (ETT): Adecco, Randstad
- → Personal networks and Facebook groups in Torrevieja
- → Sector-specific portals [if applicable]
Start a business
- 💼 Register as self-employed: ~250€/month fee
- 💼 Chambers of Commerce in Torrevieja/province offer advice
- 💼 Coworkings in Torrevieja: growing
- 💼 Resources: INFO (Murcia) or IVACE (Valencia) depending on the 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, 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-stay 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 the 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
- ⚠️ Unable 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, 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 Torrevieja
- 🤝 Social services of the Torrevieja Town Hall
- 🤝 Cepaim Foundation (if it has a branch)
- 🤝 Other local NGOs
Language courses
- 📚 Official School of Languages (EOI) of Torrevieja
- 📚 Free courses at Torrevieja Town Hall
- 📚 NGOs: Red Cross, migrant associations
- 📚 Private academies
- 📚 Language exchanges in cafes and cultural centers
Useful apps
- 📱 My Social Security Folder (employment history)
- 📱 Digital Certificate / Cl@ve (online procedures)
- 📱 Google Maps / Moovit (Torrevieja transport)
- 📱 Idealista / Fotocasa (housing)
- 📱 Local public transport app if available
Online communities
- 🌐 Facebook groups: 'Foreigners in Torrevieja', 'Latinos in Torrevieja'
- 🌐 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
- ✅ Schedule registration appointment
- ✅ Schedule 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 in 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 Torrevieja?
To move to Torrevieja, 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 Torrevieja?
In Torrevieja, the most in-demand sectors are: tourism, hospitality, commerce, and services. The job market is competitive but accessible. Resources: SEPE Torrevieja, online job portals.
What visa do I need to live in Torrevieja?
It depends on your nationality and situation. EU citizens do not need a visa. Others: student, work, non-lucrative visa, etc. Check with the Spanish consulate in your country.
Are there consulates in Torrevieja?
In Torrevieja or its province, there are consulates of the United Kingdom and Germany. For other countries, you must go to Alicante or Madrid.
Where can I learn Spanish in Torrevieja?
In Torrevieja you can: Official School of Languages, town hall (free courses), NGOs like Red Cross, private academies.
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