Healthcare, money and good to know
Pharmacy
Pharmacists are well-educated and can advise you on mild ailments. Many of the Costa Blanca pharmacists speak English.
ATMs
There are plenty of ATMs and in most you can choose different languages.
Bank cards can be used in most business, keep in mind that only a passport or national ID card approved by the EU is a valid ID document. The Nordic driving license does not apply as an ID document but is usually accepted by most stores.
Healthcare
When travelling, it is important to bring the blue card that shows that you belong to the social insurance system in a current EU country. You have the right to public health care in Spain (note only emergency care) There is also a private hospital in Torrevieja, Hospital Quirón (emergency room is open 24 hours a day)
If you want extended protection, such as access to private healthcare providers, please add a travel insurance.
Police in Spain
There are three police corpses with different functions
- Policia Nacional, the national police dealing with crimes in major cities
- Policia Local, the local police located in all municipalities. Handles traffic offenses and minor offenses and monitors municipal institutions and schools etc.
- The Guardia Civil, they guard major roads, rural areas, and coarser crime.
In several places on the Costa Blanca the national police are missing and then it is up to the Guardia Civil you as a foreigner to turn to if you are robbed or get burglary etc. Usually an interpreter must be booked if you do not master the Spanish
Post Office - Correos
It can be a bit difficult to find stamps, they are in some tobacco shops and in newspaper kiosks.
You can always submit your letter / postcard to the post office, so they will pay for you if you submit your mail there.
Traffic
If you drive a car in Spain, be aware that as a foreign citizen you have to carry your passport in the car as well as owner and insurance documents. The police usually settle for a driving license in a control, but can fine if the passport is not included. One should have 2 warning triangles in the car and reflective vest.
Children must sit in the back seat and in the car seat / car cushion until the age of 12.
It is not law on dipped beams daytime and you must not talk in the mobile phone (goes well if you have handsfree). Be careful in roundabout driving and keep in mind that the traffic in the outer file (right file) always takes precedence over the traffic in the inner file in a roundabout. If a traffic violation is committed, such as a foreigner (non-resident), a fine must be paid directly in place.
Pro Mille limit for alcohol is 0.5 in the blood (0.25 in exhaled air)
Sun and beaches
During the summer, many beaches have a flag system.
Green flag shows that it is harmless to bathe
Yellow flag - shows that one should be vigilant for eg high waves or currents
Red flag - shows that it is a bath ban
There is a fine if you bathe if a red flag is hoisted!
Keep in mind that the sun is the strongest between 12-15 and it is easy to burn, products with a high sun protection factor are recommended when staying in the sun.
Valuables
Just like in many parts of the world, it is important to have control over your valuables.
One should never leave valuables unattended in a car.
Be especially vigilant in large crowds, in markets, at the airport and at the shopping Center where pickpockets can quickly pick your wallet.
Important phone numbers - Alarm numbers
112 - The alarm center (calls can be connected to English-speaking alarm receiver)
092 - The local police
062- Guardia civil
091 - National police
085 - The fire brigade (Bomberos)
011 - Current traffic information