Setting Up Electricity in Spain: The Complete Guide

Whether you’re moving to Spain for the first time or switching apartments, setting up electricity involves a few bureaucratic steps. Here’s everything you need to know to get the lights on.

Three Scenarios

1. Taking Over an Existing Contract (Cambio de Titular)

The most common scenario when renting or buying a property that already has electricity. You simply transfer the existing contract to your name.

What you need:

• Your NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero) or DNI
• The CUPS code (from the previous tenant’s bill or the property deed)
• Your bank account details (IBAN) for direct debit
• The previous owner/tenant’s name (helpful but not always required)

Process: Contact any electricity provider and request a “cambio de titularidad.” It’s usually free and takes 3-5 business days. You don’t need the previous tenant’s cooperation.

2. Reactivating a Disconnected Supply (Alta de Suministro)

If the property had electricity before but the supply was disconnected, you need to reactivate it.

What you need:

• Everything from scenario 1, plus:
• A valid installation certificate (Boletín Eléctrico) — if the installation hasn’t been inspected in the last 20 years, you’ll need a licensed electrician to inspect and certify it

Process: Contact a provider, submit your documents, and they’ll coordinate with the distribution company to reconnect. This typically takes 5-7 business days and costs around €50-80.

3. New Connection (Nuevo Suministro)

For new construction or properties that have never had electricity.

What you need:

• Everything from scenario 1, plus:
• Building permit or first occupation license (licencia de primera ocupación)
• Installation certificate from a certified electrician
• Technical project (for installations above 10 kW)

Process: This is the most complex scenario. The distribution company needs to connect your property to the grid, which can take 2-4 weeks and costs €150-300+ depending on the required work.

Understanding Your CUPS Code

The CUPS (Código Universal de Punto de Suministro) is a 20-22 character code that uniquely identifies your electricity supply point. It starts with “ES” followed by numbers and letters.

Think of it as your electricity address. It’s tied to the physical location, not to any specific provider or contract. You’ll need it for virtually everything electricity-related in Spain.

Where to find it:

• On any previous electricity bill for that address
• On the property deed (escritura)
• Ask the previous tenant or owner
• Your building administrator may have it
• As a last resort, contact the local distribution company

Choosing Your Contracted Power

When setting up or changing your contract, you’ll need to choose your contracted power (potencia contratada) in kilowatts (kW). This determines:

• How many appliances you can run simultaneously
• Your fixed daily power charge (higher power = higher fixed cost)

Guidelines:

• 3.45 kW — Small apartment, basic needs, no electric heating or AC. You can run a washing machine and oven but not both at once.
• 4.6 kW — Standard apartment with AC. The most common choice. Handles most daily needs comfortably.
• 5.75 kW — Larger home with multiple AC units or electric heating. Good buffer for families.
• 6.9 kW+ — Large house, pool pump, EV charger, or electric water heating. Only if you genuinely need it.

Tip: Start with a lower power level. If you find your circuit breaker tripping regularly, you can increase it later. Reducing unused contracted power is one of the easiest ways to save money.

Choosing a Tariff

You have two options:

Regulated hourly tariff — Price changes every hour based on the market. Cheaper if you can shift usage to off-peak hours (midnight to 8 AM). Only available through reference marketers.

Fixed-rate contract — Same price per kWh regardless of time. Predictable bills. Available from any provider.

If you’re new to Spain, start with the regulated tariff. It helps you understand your consumption patterns and is often cheaper. You can always switch later.

Required Documents for Expats

If you’re a foreign resident:

• NIE — You absolutely need this. It’s your tax identification number for foreigners. Apply through the police (Policía Nacional) or Spanish consulate.
• Spanish bank account — Most providers require direct debit from a Spanish bank. Some accept foreign EU bank accounts.
• Proof of address — The property contract (contrato de alquiler) or deed (escritura)
• Passport — As additional identification

Timeline Summary

Action	Typical Duration	Cost
Contract transfer (cambio de titular)	3-5 days	Free
Reactivation (alta)	5-7 days	€50-80
New connection	2-4 weeks	€150-300+
Provider switch	1-2 weeks	Free
Power level change	3-5 days	Free (first change in 12 months)

One Last Tip

Don’t accept the first offer you get. Take 30 minutes to compare at least 3 providers using your CUPS code. The difference between the cheapest and most expensive option can be €200-400/year for the same electricity.