Moving to and Living in Spain
TV
Due to differences in transmission, some TV's and Video recorders from the UK, US and other European countries do not work in Spain. It is better to check that your equipment is compatible for international use.
Spanish terrestrial TV is not the only option for ex-patriots on the coast. Limited European satellite TV usually including an English language news channel such as Sky News and more commonly CNN is available through the community TV on urbanizations but a more popular option is to subscribe to UKs.In order to receive the signal for UK TV stations, you will need a satellite dish of 1.2 or 1.5 metres diametre. Depending which package you subscribe to this will allow you to receive UK terrestrial TV, Radio and UK satellite TV programs.
There are many companies who will sell you the entire package including satellite dish, digibox, SKY card etc. However, you can also import your own satellite dish and receiver and install it yourself.
Telephone
The national telephone company in Spain is Telefónica, which has he monopoly on the service and owns several other companies (including Terra and Teleline)
It will cost approximately 150€ to have a new telephone installed but it is worth checking that there isn't already an existing line, as it would be more cost effective to transfer the account for a charge of approx. 40€. (Not all properties have provision for telephone lines and it is worth checking that the exchange has provision for more lines allocated to the urbanization or property).
To have a new line installed it will be necessary to take you passport or 'residencia' (residents card), proof of your address and a copy of your rental agreement or 'escritura' (property deed) to the Teléfonica office. If you are renting and do not have 'residencia' then a deposit of approximately 200€ will be required.
Peak hours: 0800 to 1700 hours from Monday to Friday
0800 to 1400 on Saturdays
Normal: 1700 to 2200, Monday to Friday
Reduced: 2200 to 0800 Monday to Friday All-day Sundays
Internet
In Spain dialing up to the Internet will be metered and charged on your telephone bill. As in the UK you will pay by the minute for local calls. The way to avoid this would be to subscribe to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) and pay a flat rate for all Internet use. There is not much differentiation in flat rate charges between different providers but it is necessary to take into account peak rates and how often you would be using the service.