Advertisement

Energy For Members

EXPLAINED: How to change your electricity provider in Spain

The Local Spain
The Local Spain - [email protected]
EXPLAINED: How to change your electricity provider in Spain
Changing electricity providers in Spain. Photo: Arthur Lambillotte / Unsplash

What happens if you want to change your electricity supplier in Spain? How do you go about it and what are the pitfalls to watch out for?

Looking to move? Find your next rental apartment here.

Advertisement

Electricity prices have fluctuated dramatically over the past couple of years in Spain, and while some people have had huge increases in their bills, others managed to get away with still paying relatively the same amounts.

While this will obviously be linked to the amount of power you consume, it may also have to do with your energy provider, what plan you’re on, and whether you buy your power on the free or regulated market.

Perhaps you’re not happy with the service your electricity provider has given and you want to see if you can get a better deal elsewhere or maybe you want to go with a company that gets more of their energy from renewable sources and will be better for the environment.

When you move into a new home, you might also want to think about changing from the energy company you used before or may not want to use the same one as the previous owner had.

The good news is that it’s relatively easy to change energy providers in Spain, provided that they serve your area and you can provide the necessary information.

READ ALSO: How to change the title holder of utility bills in Spain

How to change providers

Once you have decided on a new provider, you must contact them to ensure that they can serve your area and your property. If everything is ok, they will ask you to provide the following:

- Your personal details

- The amount of power you want to contract or plan/tariff you want to be on

- The CUPS code or address of the supply point

- If it’s a new house you will also need the Electrical Bulletin

- Your bank details

Remember, you will not be able to change companies if you have debt or unpaid bills with your old company. You must settle these first.

Advertisement

How do I find the CUPS code?

The CUPS code or Código Unificado del Punto de Suministro (Universal Supply Point Code) is a number that identifies each individual property that receives electricity or gas. The number doesn’t change, so it will be on your previous bills from your old energy provider or the previous occupant will have it.

If you can’t find it, you can contact your energy distributor – these are assigned by area and stay the same. By giving them your name, address and ID number such as NIE, they will be able to give you the CUPS code associated with your property.

READ ALSO: Can I pay my Spanish bills via direct debit from a foreign account?

How long does changing providers take?

The process will take between 15 and 20 business days as there must be time for your old provider to give you your final bill and your new one to set you up in their system.

Will I be penalised for changing companies?

Generally, changing electricity companies is completely free and you should not have to pay extra, however, this is not always the case.

Many companies impose a permanence period, which is typically 12 months, so if you were with your previous energy provider for less than a year then you may have to pay a fine in order to break your contract and move to another one. The amount should be detailed in the contract you signed when you initially registered.

There may also be an extra charge if you want to change the amount of power you have contracted, either to a higher or a lower potency.

Advertisement

Can I change providers if I’m renting?

Even if you’re renting you have the right to change electricity providers since the bills will typically be in your name.

If the bills are not in your name and it’s your landlord who is the one who is registered, but you still pay the bills, you will have to contact them to request a change of providers.

Free or regulated market

Free market companies set the price they consider to be competitive, while regulated companies will offer the standard PVPC rate. Their prices depend on supply and demand in the wholesale market and change every hour of every day.

You can choose whether you want to pay free or regulated market prices and the type of companies that offer each one.

More

Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.

Please log in to leave a comment.

See Also