How To Set Up Utilities When You Buy A House

Discover how to connect your abode to electricity, gas, and water with this handy expat guide to setting up utilities in Espana.

Connecting to the local utilities in Spain is likely to be one of the kickoff things on your to-practice list when moving to the state. And your new house or apartment will feel a lot more like home once you set up upwards the electricity, gas, and water. Yous'll probably as well desire to get connected to Spanish internet, Television receiver, and habitation telephone to ensure that yous're settled in your new place in the Iberian dominicus.

Thankfully, setting up your utilities in Spain is nice and straightforward, with a diversity of unlike options to choose from. Whether yous're buying a cozy mount retreat or renting a studio overlooking the Mediterranean, this helpful guide provides the following information:

Utilities in Spain
Getting connected in a new home
Setting up electricity and gas in Spain
Spanish voltage and ability plugs
Ability cuts in Spain
Water supply in Spain
Spanish tap water
Useful resources

Utilities in Spain

If you're new in Spain, it'south a expert thought to familiarize yourself with how the local utility market operates when setting upwards your dwelling. This way, y'all'll be able to make the right choices for yourself and better understand your options. However, while the thought of getting your caput around the local utilities in Spain might make you lot accident a fuse, fright non considering you'll be able to plug in and get going before you know it.

Solar panels in front of a wind power farm in Navarra, Spain

As is the example in many European countries, the Spanish utility market is fully liberalized. This means that you can technically choose your provider; although your options will vary from region to region, every bit will the number of local providers. Water is provided and operated at local levels, either directly by the municipality or through a private company. Even so, yous won't be able to choose your water provider when yous set your new home in Spain.

Getting connected in a new abode

Setting upwards utilities in Spain is 1 of the get-go things that new arrivals to this beautiful, sunkissed country will need to practice. However, the process will depend on a few things. Firstly, the procedure will differ depending on whether y'all are buying, renting, or staying in the state on a short-term ground. It can likewise differ slightly between regions within Kingdom of spain, due to the availability of providers.

If you are ownership a property in Spain without an existing connection to the local electricity network, so y'all will need to contact the network distributor and accommodate the setup. Just bear in mind that this process tin take a while, so exist certain to contact them well ahead of fourth dimension. Should the property have an existing connection, on the other manus, then the procedure volition be much quicker. In this case, you will just need to contact the free energy provider and sign up for a contract in your name. You lot may exist able to switch suppliers, but be aware that in some areas at that place is only one provider.

If you are renting in Spain, then your monthly rental costs may or may non include utilities. Therefore, be sure to found what you are actually paying for with your landlord earlier signing whatsoever contract. If utilities aren't included, then you'll probably be gratuitous to cull your own provider or keep the existing connections. In serviced apartments, nevertheless, the monthly rental payments will include utilities as these are typically simply used for short-term leases.

Setting upwardly electricity and gas in Spain

Spain has a decent energy network that serves homes and businesses across the country. Generally speaking, Spanish energy bills can be surprisingly expensive, despite household electricity prices being lower than in many other European countries. This is partly due to costs being inflated by heavy electricity usage during the wintertime and summer months, as many Spanish homes lack centralized heating and cooling systems. However, near homes now accept smart meters, making it easier for you to keep on top of your usage throughout the twelvemonth.

Energy options in Spain

The Spanish free energy sector is liberalized, pregnant that y'all're typically free to choose the electricity (luz) provider of your selection when setting upwards your utilities in Kingdom of spain. You also take the pick of choosing a provider from the free market (mercado libre) or the regulated marketplace (mercado regulado). Energy providers in Kingdom of spain typically operate in both markets, merely since 2022 they are required to operate under a unlike name in each one. This initiative, launched by the Spanish regulator CNMC (Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia), aims to make information technology easier for consumers to differentiate betwixt providers.

Although you are technically costless to cull the provider of your selection from the marketplace of your choice, retrieve that in some parts of the country, you lot may observe this is a selection of one. If y'all're unsure of your local options, you lot tin search online, ask in a local expat forum, or fifty-fifty contact the providers directly. The suppliers that are available where you live will typically offering a range of contracts, though, then you lot will nevertheless be able to choose the right option for you.

More often than not speaking, gas (gas) is not as common in Spain as it is in other European countries. Furthermore, mains gas supply is typically only available in certain towns and cities. However, gas does remain an selection in Espana and can often work out as a cheaper alternative to electricity, depending on your circumstances. Much of the gas consumed in the country is bottled gas, and you'll need to arrange regular deliveries with a distribution company that operates in your area. Should you choose gas, be aware that you'll typically need to check your appliances for rubber purposes one time a yr. You tin contact your gas supplier for more data about this.

Energy suppliers in Spain

As the Spanish free energy market place is liberalized, you tin typically choose the provider that meets your needs, depending on where you lot live. Nonetheless, fifty-fifty if you live in an surface area with only i provider, you'll likely still accept options when information technology comes to the energy mix: electricity, gas, or a mixture of the two. You lot will too have the selection of choosing a provider in the gratuitous or regulated marketplace. While this can seem disruptive to new arrivals, a small amount of research around your options can get a long style in helping you brand the best selection for you.

Once you take called a provider, you will have even more than pick with tariffs. For example, Endesa offers fixed-rate tariffs, off-top tariffs, and many more. Once more, it's wise to do a fiddling research to ensure that you get the right deal for your usage. This will also assistance you salvage money on your energy bills, giving you more spending money for the important things, similar exploring the succulent local cuisine!

Some of the main Spanish free energy companies include:

Endesa
Iberdrola
Hola Luz
Baser

There are a number of price comparison websites operating in Kingdom of spain that brand choosing the right energy company that little scrap easier. These can give you a meliorate idea of what is bachelor at your location, likewise equally an easy-to-understand run-down of all your tariff options. One such English-speaking comparison website in Spain is Si Compare.

Green free energy in Espana

For many expats, making their new life in the sun as green equally possible is an important part of moving abroad. If you're looking to alive sustainably in Spain, a good place to start is by signing up for light-green energy. Recent years accept seen Spain significantly increase its renewable energy production as information technology looks to move away from fossil fuels. Although y'all may await solar power to lead the manner with all that Iberian sun, information technology'south actually the wind that produced almost 50% of Spain's green free energy in 2022. Beyond that, hydroelectricity deemed for over 25%, following past solar power (14%).

Most Spanish energy providers offer tariffs for free energy sourced from renewable sources, so you'll probable be able to cull a green choice if y'all wish. Even so, some suppliers, such as Hola Luz, offering just green energy. Taking out a contract with one of these green-simply energy suppliers can help these companies further invest in green technologies. Y'all can search online to see if these 100% greenish energy providers operate in your area.

Installing solar panels in Spain

Another way to use green energy in your dwelling and boost your green credentials is to install solar panels on the building. In fact, need for this has been growing following a recent change to Spanish law. Of grade, whether this is the best option for you depends on your circumstances, just with installation costs decreasing and more than companies inbound the market, it'due south never been a better time to get solar. Still, just make certain you do your research ahead of time and avert being left in the shade.

Connecting your energy supply

Once you have chosen your Spanish energy supplier, the sign-up process is fairly straightforward. You'll need to contact your chosen provider and provide them with all the necessary information. You can typically practice this online or on the telephone.

To consummate the sign-up procedure, you volition need to provide the following:

proof of identity (passport or ID card)
your NIE number
details of your Spanish banking concern account
proof of address

If you are setting up a brand new connection, then you'll need to contact the local distributor, non the supplier. This varies depending on where you live in the land, and the procedure tin can take at least a few weeks. Therefore, it's best to try and arrange it every bit early as possible to avoid any disappointment.

This process will involve some fees, although these are typically the aforementioned wherever you live in Espana. If yous're ownership a new holding in a circuitous or urbanization, even so, then the programmer should cover these costs.

Paying your energy bills

When setting up your new home in Kingdom of spain, it is advisable to open up a Spanish banking company account beforehand. Non simply will this brand things easier when arranging automated collection (direct debit) for your utility bills, but y'all volition likewise observe it helpful in other aspects of everyday life.

Payment is typically via automatic drove (transferencia) from your bank account, and you'll need to provide these details when signing up. You may be able to arrange another payment method, merely this will probable exist the easiest option. Payment intervals will depend on your provider, although most provide an almanac argument should you need to pay or receive any boosted fees.

Irresolute your energy supplier in Spain

By and large speaking, if you desire to switch energy providers in Kingdom of spain, you lot can do so hands. One time you lot take decided on your preferred supplier and tariff, you tin only contact your new provider and provide them with all the required information. This includes the post-obit:

Unified Supply Point Code (CUPS) – alphanumeric code on electrical bills
An electricity installation certificate – to evidence that your electricity supply is rubber and above lath

Your new provider will so contact your previous supplier and manage the switchover procedure.

Making a complaint nigh a Spanish energy supplier

Should you lot have any complaints almost your meter, meter readings, or free energy bill, then you lot should contact your provider immediately. This volition requite your supplier plenty of fourth dimension to accost any issues. They may so choose to ship a technician to your home, should you have an underlying issue with your meter or connection. You can observe details of your supplier's complaint process on the company's website.

The Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia (CNMC) regulates free energy companies in Spain. All the same, to make a complaint, you will demand to contact the Ministerio de Consumo. However, y'all should only practise this if your initial complaint has not been resolved. The procedure may take some time, and y'all will demand to provide the required documents to the ministry. These volition likewise depend on the nature of your complaint.

Spanish voltage and ability supply

Like to much of Europe, the electricity supply in Espana is effectually 220 volts AC with a frequency of l hertz. However, you may encounter some areas which nevertheless have a 110-volt supply, although this is not very common. In these limited areas, you lot may even find dual voltage systems within the aforementioned property. Be aware that a 220-volt current is significantly higher than other not-European countries. Therefore, check your appliances and gadgets alee of time to avoid any issues or incidents. You may need to invest in some new electronics to avert any dangerous burnouts.

Spanish ability sockets are like the rest of Europe, with 2-pivot plugs and sockets (Type C and the older Type F). If your appliances are not compatible with these sockets, you'll need to invest in a power adapter. You can buy these at all practiced electrical outlets. Be aware that there is often a shortage of electrical points in Spanish homes – typically one per room – so multi-plug extension power packs tin can be very useful.

Power cuts in Kingdom of spain

Fortunately, power cuts are fairly uncommon in Espana, but similar in any country, they exercise however happen occasionally. To avoid beingness left in the night, brand certain yous take some candles or bombardment-operated lights in the closet just in example. If your power does go, your offset cheque should be to see whether your neighbors still have ability. If they do, then the trouble is probable to exist in your house. You should bank check your fuse box to come across if you accept accidentally tripped or blown a fuse.

If your entire neighborhood is in the dark, on the other hand, then you lot might want to check your distributor's website to encounter if they mention any known outages. Chances are they volition already know well-nigh the problem, but you tin can still inform them and find out when they expect to accost the issue. You can find their contact information on the company website, equally well as any correspondence they have sent you lot.

Water supply in Spain

Water supply in Spain is administered at local levels, with service provision under the jurisdiction of local municipalities. The land operates a mixed-market organisation and you tin can't cull your provider. Some areas have a municipal public provider, while around a third use a private company. The remainder is a public-private mix. The biggest private water suppliers in Espana are Aguas de Barcelona (Agbar), which provides water for around 12% of municipalities, and Aqualia. The largest public water company is Culvert de Isabel II which supplies the Madrid region.

When setting up your home in Spain, you should contact your local town hall (ayuntamiento) to register ownership and have the holding'southward water contract transferred into your name. Nevertheless, you won't need to do this if your monthly rent includes utilities in Espana. To sign upward, you will either need to visit your town hall or sign upward online. And you lot will typically need to provide the post-obit information when signing up:

proof of identity (passport or ID card)
your NIE number
details of your Castilian depository financial institution business relationship
proof of address

If your new belongings doesn't have a water connection, then you volition need to sort this with your local provider. You tin can do this through the local town hall, although this may take a while, depending on your circumstances.

Paying your h2o bills

H2o bills in Kingdom of spain are typically paid monthly or quarterly and you can pay in various ways, including directly debit. Just make sure yous don't go into arrears with your beak as you lot may be cut off! You will then have to pay a reconnection fee. Furthermore, you should ever check your water neb carefully as overcharging tin occur.

To reduce your h2o costs, you can purchase a water saver that mixes air with water on taps, thus reducing the amount of h2o used. In fact, you can save the cost of plumbing fixtures an apartment with water savers in just vi months through lower h2o bills. You tin can purchase water saves from El Corte Inglés and Hipercor stores, hypermarkets, and DIY stores.

Spanish drinking h2o

The water quality in Espana is generally very practiced, with 99.5% of tap quality considered safe to potable, according to global h2o standards. That said, the actual quality of what comes out of your tap can vary significantly between regions and even streets in the same town. This is due to the quality of the local water infrastructure, and the fact that many of the pipes in Spain are fairly old, and local authorities use chlorine to keep them clear.

Due to taste reasons, many expats living in Espana prefer to use tap h2o solely for washing fruit and vegetables and brushing their teeth. However, this will largely be downward to personal preference and the quality of the local tap water. Alternatively, you lot may prefer to sign upwards for a bottled water service, which delivers fresh, bottled drinking h2o to your door.

Water usage in Spain

While some areas of Espana are surprising wet, many of the southern parts of the country regularly suffer from drought. During these times, local municipalities will probable restrict water consumption in social club to maintain water supplies. This may include limits to using the public water supply to water the garden or launder the motorcar.

Useful resources

Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia (CNMC) – the Castilian regulator
Tapp H2o – find data on tap water in Kingdom of spain
Electricity in Spain – read more almost the electricity supply in Spain