Barcelona Tips
Electricity:
The electricity supply in Barcelona and the rest of Spain is 220 volts and plugs are two round pins, unlike other countries in Europe and the United Kingdom, where they use 240 volts and three pins. In that case, a simple adapter can be used to resolve the difference. In the case of countries where the voltage is 120, you would have to use a voltage converter.
Water:
tap water is drinkable, it is usually used to cook, but to drink people prefer bottled water.
Gas:
it’s the same service provided in other countries.
Cell/Mobile:
In Barcelona there are many companies offering mobile phone service, here's information of the most important:
-
Telefonica- Movistar (www.telefonica.es)
- Requirements: In case of buying a prepayment service the only requirement is your passport. For contracts (post payment) the company asks for your provisional NIE and passport or your definitive NIE and a Spanish bank account is needed in both scenarios (must carry a photocopy of the savings book or any document that proves you as account holder).
- Tariffs: The price of fares rang from 9 € to 30 € depending on your preference for call schedules and length.
- Permanence: a mobile with contract requires a minimum stay of 12 months, if you bring your own mobile phone there is no need to sign permanence. If you buy a SIM card there is no penalty if you cancel the line, but if you do not recharge for 5 consecutive months it will be canceled automatically.
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Vodafone (www.vodafone.es)
- Requirements: to buy a prepaid line the only document necessary to show is the passport. If you want a contract you need the NIE or an European Passport, or the record of issuance of the NIE where it appears the identification number assigned and the passport of any nationality with a photograph. In all cases a Spanish bank account is required.
- Price: The price of the service vary from 9 € to 100 € depending also on your preferences.
- Permanence: a prepaid phone card does not require a stay while under contract, if you buy the line with a new promotion must stay at least 18 months with the same order to avoid penalties. If you purchase the line with your own mobile retention decreases to 12 months.
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Orange (www.orange.es)
- Requirements: if you purchased a prepaid line, the only thing needed is a passport. To apply for contract lines NIE or passport and Spanish bank account are required
- Rates: Like other mobile carriers, service prices vary between 9 € and 80 € depending on the times and call duration.
- Permanence: prepaid card must not maintain a minimum time, but for the contract in either case is 18 months.
Internet:
in the same way that mobile phone service, the companies also offer Internet (ADSL):
-
Telefonica- Movistar
- Requirements: free ADSL can only engage with a passport for any other service you must present your NIE and have a Spanish bank account.
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Vodafone
- Requirements: you must present your passport or NIE and have a Spanish bank account.
-
Orange
- Requirements: you must present your passport only.
