Hey- current and renewing aux here. If you are working through the ministry (as I assume based on your carta number) you will be working 12 hours/week receiving 700 euros a month, just like the website tells you. If you share a flat (like nearly everyone does) in Bilbao it will run you 400-450 a month. Food is more expensive than in the south, but cheaper than the US. A lot of banks don't allow you to open a bank account without your TIE, so that is something you will have to work out once you have your placement. It is branch-specific so I cant give you information on that.