Decided to move, couple of questions
#16

Hows the internet speeds in that area? and what providers are recommended, and not! recommended?
- Banks, should I just talk to my local Barclays bank and open an international banking account? Or which banks are recommended, and not! recommended?
- Would a week be enough to fly down to Spain, sort out apartment, banking, NIE (i understand this can take a long time, but at least get the ball rolling) etc, before moving all my stuff and getting the dog over?
Realised we have feed you with "Dog Info" and omitted other things.
1. Internet coverage can be very good, Movistar ( old Telefonica) the dominant player and their web site, Spanish, will show if they offer fibre optic in the region by punching in the Post Code. Other suppliers include Jazztel , slightly cheaper but piggy-back on Movistar infrastructure. Vodafone and Orange . Also a host of smaller companies offering deals, just trawl the web.
2. Banks, best to get a Spanish bank but that you will need a "Foreigner's Number" NIE . Getting a NIE is not complicated. See link :
https://www.expatica.com/es/moving-t...on_849449.html
The bigger banks tend to charge more , Santander, BBVA and La Caixa but offer good services. Regional banks are fine but have their limitations. I use la Caixa and think it excellent ( ended-up with them as they bought the Barclays Spain operation). Good website, good App, generally friendly service.
3. A week is not much time to get things done, see any of the region and make a sensible decision. As others have said, look for a short stay rental which tend to be much cheaper in the winter and spend more time if you can.
Good luck
- Banks, should I just talk to my local Barclays bank and open an international banking account? Or which banks are recommended, and not! recommended?
- Would a week be enough to fly down to Spain, sort out apartment, banking, NIE (i understand this can take a long time, but at least get the ball rolling) etc, before moving all my stuff and getting the dog over?
Realised we have feed you with "Dog Info" and omitted other things.
1. Internet coverage can be very good, Movistar ( old Telefonica) the dominant player and their web site, Spanish, will show if they offer fibre optic in the region by punching in the Post Code. Other suppliers include Jazztel , slightly cheaper but piggy-back on Movistar infrastructure. Vodafone and Orange . Also a host of smaller companies offering deals, just trawl the web.
2. Banks, best to get a Spanish bank but that you will need a "Foreigner's Number" NIE . Getting a NIE is not complicated. See link :
https://www.expatica.com/es/moving-t...on_849449.html
The bigger banks tend to charge more , Santander, BBVA and La Caixa but offer good services. Regional banks are fine but have their limitations. I use la Caixa and think it excellent ( ended-up with them as they bought the Barclays Spain operation). Good website, good App, generally friendly service.
3. A week is not much time to get things done, see any of the region and make a sensible decision. As others have said, look for a short stay rental which tend to be much cheaper in the winter and spend more time if you can.
Good luck
Last edited by Loafing Along; Nov 27th 2017 at 5:20 pm. Reason: Added bank info

#17
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 7


thank you for your reply Loafing Along, much appreciated!
