Banking

Banking

by | Aug 24, 2019 | Guides

There are many banks in Valenica, however opening a new account can be confusing. Some banks in Valencia employ staff who speak English, but many do not. In addition, many banks will require an NIE or DNI number. Thankfully there are some alternatives!

A German online bank, N26, has recently started providing Spanish IBAN numbers, meaning your account will act like a Spanish bank account. Signing up is easy and involves a video chat in which you’ll need your passport. The standard account is free of charges, making it a better option than many Spanish banks. If you’re interested in signing up, you can click here to open an account.

If you’d rather use one of the traditional Spanish bank accounts we’ve compiled a list of the major banks you can find in Valencia. Be aware that, although we’ve tried to be as accurate as possible, there may be hidden charges and we would strongly advise you to take a Spanish-speaking friend with you when opening a bank account if your Spanish isn’t great.

Bankia 

Bankia is widespread throughout Valencia and offers an account called Cuenta_ON with no fees or commissions. This is an online account with a debit card and can be opened online or in a branch. Bear in mind that, as with many Spanish banks, you’ll still be charged a fee if you use another bank’s ATM.

BBVA

BBVA is one of Spain’s biggest banks and claims to offer commission-free accounts. You can find more information here (in English) including options for a fee-less online account and a young person’s account for people between 18 to 29.

Santander

If you’re from the UK Santander will be familiar to you. Santander is Spain’s largest bank and branches can be found all over the city. They have a number of special ATMs in which you can pay your bills at any time of day or night directly into another Santander account, which can be useful given Spain’s limited banking hours.

Other banks include CaixaBank, Sabadell and Banco Popular Español. When selecting a bank, weigh up the pros and cons carefully – most of the above banks have branches all over the city, but if you’re living in a more rural area you might want to choose based on geographical convenience. Most ATMs have an English option (as well as other languages) but the level of English in branches may vary.

 

Keeping Cool During the Night

Keeping Cool During the Night

by | Aug 6, 2019 | Guides, International Valencia

Keeping cool in Valencia can be difficult during the summer. The months of July and August are particularly hot. Sleepless nights are a common occurrence, especially if you’ve just arrived and haven’t acclimatised!

Below you can find our top five tips for keeping cool during the summer.

 

1. Keep your windows closed during the hottest part of the day. Make sure your blinds, shutters or curtains are drawn to keep the sun out. Once the sun goes down, make sure to keep the windows open – just be aware that mosquitoes may want to join you during the night!

2. Use fans near an open window. At night time, position your fan near an open window to draw in colder air from outside. If you’re really struggling to sleep, try putting a bowl of ice cubes in front of the fan. You can purchase a cheap fan from the various Chinese shops around Valencia, or find them on Wallapop. For second hand fans, try looking in May or June when many students are leaving the city and are willing to sell second-hand items at a discount.

3. Consider an air conditioning unit. Some apartments come with AC included, but many don’t. However, you can purchase a portable AC unit from shops such as MediaMarkt or El Corte Inglés. These are often expensive, so consider a second-hand unit if you can find one!

4. Take a lukewarm shower or bath before going to bed. Strangely, there is scientific evidence to suggest that cold showers actually warm your body, even if they make you feel colder at first. Try a lukewarm shower instead, as this will cool you down for a longer period of time.

5. Take a siesta! Adopt the Spanish tradition of the siesta if your schedule allows it – this can be a great way to catch up on sleep if you find it too hot during the night. Make sure your windows and shutters are closed and that the room is as dark as possible. Research has shown that optimal nap times are either 20-30 minutes or 90 minutes. The first option acts as a short boost, allowing you to get through the day, and the second sends your body into a full sleep cycle. If you have the time and you’re suffering from many sleepless nights, opt for a 90 minute nap – just remember to set an alarm!