FAQs

Here are some of the observations/comments teachers have made to help you

1. ACCOMMODATION

Get here early. The good flats get snapped up by the secondary school teachers returning early September. Good sites to look for flats are

Get all train and bus times before you arrive in Spain in case your flight is delayed. Make alternative travel options or arrange to stay overnight if delayed. A good option is www.airbnb.com where you can pay for a room in someone’s house per night you stay.

The best and cheapest flights are to Malaga or Madrid. From Malaga airport Terminal 3 there is a monorail which takes you to the Maria Zambrano railway station. From there you can get a train to Cordoba (50 minutes) and change for Andujar (40 minutes). We can meet you in Andújar and drive you to Bailen.  Be careful when you book as the AVE high speed train is more expensive and only takes 10 minutes less than the regular trains.

From Madrid there are regular buses www.secorbus.es and some of the buses go direct from the airport to Andujar and some stop in Bailen. There is another bus company ALSA which comes directly from Madrid to Bailen. There is a short 15 min stop on route (3.5 hours trip) and also a toilet on board. If you came by train you would have to come to Andújar or Linares-Baeza which are the nearest train stations.

Check trains on www.renfe.es which is also in English. You need to specify you are going to Andujar as the website only shows main cities. Book on line as it is quicker and easier. You will receive a message on your phone with a code you need to type in to confirm the payment. Always print out your ticket in case the barcode reader doesn’t work at the station.

3. DOCUMENTS AND PAPERWORK

When you find we need this number to register your contract with the NHS and the Employment Office. If we register you with your passport number, you could be liable for emergency tax at 25%.

You have to register fully as an EU citizen no later than 3 months after you have arrived in Spain. We will apply for an appointment on line with the national police in Jaen and take you to Jaen to register. You will be issued with an EU Citizen Certificate which will have your same NIE number on it. You have this number for life, so don’t lose the card. If you lose it, you must inform the police to be issued with a new one.

If you want to buy a car or a house, pay by credit card etc, you need a NIE card which you have to apply for from the police in Jaén (approx 30 mins from Bailen ). When you go to the bank, you need to take some form of ID (a passport/driver’s licence) unless you are getting money out with your cash card.

Carry a photocopy of your passport and ID number/NIF certificate from the police with you at all times. You need to be able to identify yourself if stopped by the police. It is an offence not to carry some form of ID on you.

4. GETTING A PHONE

Check out the deals for mobiles (Movistar/ Orange/ Yoigo etc). The Phone House or individual companies can give you advice on the best offers. New deals include broadband, landline and mobile connection and phone. You may have to commit for one year so check out the penalties for opting out before the year is up.
Also check your flat has a phone and internet connection.

5. GETTING A BANK ACCOUNT

The school banks with La Caixa savings bank. Savings banks don’t charge the extras that main banks do. If you bank with La Caixa, you get your wages the same day we make the transfer. Otherwise it can take a day or so. Only use the cashpoint for your bank or card name otherwise you will be charged commission.

See if your own bank has an agreement with a Spanish bank (for money transfers etc especially if you are paying off a student grant). Otherwise shop around. The Cajas (savings banks) tend to be cheaper. Make sure the deal includes free bank transfers.

6. FOOD/SHOPPING

You can get quite a lot of GB foodstuff in Carrefour Hypermarket, Mercadona or Supercor (el Corte Inglés) supermarket. If you can’t get it here, you can get it in the big cities or on the coast in Málaga in places like Supersol or Iceland.

Use the local market for fresh food. Family run supermarkets in most neigbourhoods are often cheaper too. Some small supermarkets are open all day Sunday, so are the local family run supermarkets and corner shops.

7. SIGNING UP WITH A DOCTOR

You need to go to the health centre for your catchment area and sign up for a doctor first. We will sort all this out for you.

If you are ill and need to see a doctor, don’t wait for an appointment. Just turn up at the health centre and the duty doctor will see you. At the weekends and on feast days there is a designated 24 hour clinic with doctors on duty. After 10pm they only attend night calls.

If it’s really urgent, just go straight to “Urgencias” at the hospital where they have a 24 hour emergency service.
To book an appointment with you GP go to SALUD RESPONDE (CITA PREVIA) and book your appointment on line.
Make sure you bring enough prescription medicine with you if you need it, as it may take a day or two to get an appointment when you arrive.

8. GOING TO THE GYM/SPORTS IN GENERAL

There is a monthly fee or you can pay as you go (a “bono”). Sometimes the pay as you go option works out cheaper. There are 3 gyms in Bailen. The municipal one is run by the Town Hall and the monthly fee is around 25 €. There are also yoga and crafts workshops. The other two are privately run and offer a variety of activities. They are near the school. There are several paddle courts in the town .

There is also an athletics club, where people get together to practise running, cycling and other sports.

Paraje Burguillos, just 6 km away from Bailén , is a wooded pasture/meadow ideal for hiking routes or to spend the day in the picnic area with tables and barbecues.

9. OTHER

  If you need an advance ask for one. Don’t struggle on nothing. There’s nothing like a miserable weekend with no money on you.

April-June is the hay fever season so come prepared. In a dry year it can start as early as February.