Moving to Spain: how to put electricity in your name

1. Find out which process you need

A change of account holder is different from disconnecting and reconnecting the property. Do not request a baja—cancellation of the supply—when you only want to change the name or supplier. CNMC guidance on electricity supply

If the lights do not work, first establish whether this is a supply-status issue, an outage or a problem inside the property.

2. Ask for a recent electricity bill

A recent bill helps identify:

• The current supplier.
• The supply address.
• The CUPS, the identifier for the electricity supply point.
• The contracted power.
• The existing tariff.

Ask the landlord, seller or previous occupant for the relevant information. They can hide unrelated personal and payment details.

Use the previous bill to identify the supply and understand the contract. The previous occupant’s consumption may not reflect what you will use.

3. Prepare your documents

The exact requirements depend on the supplier and the type of request. Have these ready:

• Your full name and accepted identification.
• Your contact details.
• The complete supply address, including postcode.
• The CUPS, if available.
• Payment details.
• A rental agreement or proof of ownership, if requested.
• Details of the current account holder, where required.

The CNMC lists the main information used for an account-holder change, including identification, supply details and, when needed, evidence of your connection to the property.

CNMC account-holder checklist

Do I need a NIE?

Check the supplier’s requirements for your particular request. Do not assume every supplier or online form accepts the same documents.

For example, Iberdrola lists a passport among the identification documents accepted for a new supply. That does not establish the requirements for every supplier or process.

Iberdrola’s new-supply requirements

Do I need a Spanish bank account?

For SEPA direct debit, an eligible account in another EU member state should not be rejected simply because it has a foreign IBAN.

If a form rejects your account, ask the supplier for an alternative way to provide the details. The European Commission explains how to report IBAN discrimination.

European Commission guidance

4. Check whether the existing plan suits your household

Putting the contract in your name does not establish that the current tariff is a good fit.

Consider:

• How many people will live there.
• Whether you will work from home.
• Whether heating, hot water and cooking use electricity.
• Whether you can move some appliance use to different times.
• Whether you prefer predictable energy rates or are comfortable with changing prices.

Check power charges, paid extras and promotion end dates as well as the energy price.

If you do not have your own consumption history, a cost estimate will depend on household assumptions. Treat it as a starting point, not a promised bill.

5. Confirm the process and any costs before agreeing

A straightforward account-holder change is generally free. Separate work, such as an installation inspection, may create a charge in some cases. Ask for an explanation of any quoted cost. Endesa’s account-holder guidance

A new activation or reactivation is different. Costs depend on the supply point’s circumstances, recognised connection rights and requested power. Additional installation documents, such as the electrical installation certificate—CIE or boletín eléctrico—may be needed. Iberdrola’s activation guidance

Before signing, confirm:

• What process the supplier is carrying out.
• Whether the tariff or contracted power will change.
• Any one-off charges and ongoing services.
• The expected completion date.
• How you will receive confirmation.

For a supplier switch, the incoming supplier handles the switching arrangements.

CNMC switching guide

6. Keep a record of the handover

On the day you receive the keys, record the date and, where safely accessible, photograph the meter reading.

Keep the rental or purchase documents, the request reference and the supplier’s confirmation.

When the first bill arrives, check:

• Your name and supply address.
• The CUPS.
• The billing dates.
• The agreed rates and contracted power.
• Any services or one-off charges.

If it includes consumption from before your responsibility began, ask the supplier to explain the billing period and effective transfer date.

A simple example

You rent an apartment in Barcelona. Electricity is working, but the contract is still in the previous tenant’s name.

Start by requesting a change of account holder. If you also want another supplier, explain both changes to the incoming company so it can confirm the correct process.

You do not need a brand-new physical connection merely because you are a new tenant.

Illustrative example.

Common questions

Related guides

• How to read your electricity bill in Spain
• Fixed, indexed or PVPC: which electricity tariff suits your home in Spain?
• 7 things to check before changing electricity supplier in Spain