Retailer vs distributor
You choose the comercializadora, the retailer that bills you. The distribuidora is the grid company that owns the wires and meter; you can't choose it.
Electricity guide for expats
Electricity in Spain, sorted in English
By Linus Palmqvist, Head of Operations Reviewed by Simon Nilsson Last reviewed Understand the retailer, the grid company, CUPS and potencia contratada in plain English, then get the setup handled in English with Settlewell.
No tariff prices to wade through — just clear, honest help in English.
Electricity in Spain: what to expect
Start with the split between the company that bills you and the grid company assigned to the home. Nearly everything else about setting up electricity here follows from it.
Switching is supplier-handled
A normal retailer switch is free, handled by the new supplier and should not interrupt power. It usually takes about 10 business days.
CUPS unlocks the process
CUPS is the permanent code that identifies your home's electricity supply point. It is on any bill and is normally needed before you can switch or change holder.
The same job, with Settlewell
You can arrange all of this yourself. If you would rather not, we compare the retailers that serve your address, check the setup is right for the home and handle it end to end in English. The choice stays yours.
What Settlewell handles
We compare the retailers that serve your supply point, check the contracted power suits the home, and deal with the provider in English.
- Finding your CUPS and the grid company assigned to the address
- Comparing retailers on the whole bill, not the headline rate per kWh
- Checking the contracted power fits the home, so you are not paying for more
- Placing the order and handling the switch or change of holder
Leo and our team help you compare and set up in English
Free market vs PVPC
Most commercial offers are free-market. PVPC is Spain's government-regulated electricity price and is only available through approved reference marketers such as Energía XXI, Curenergía, Gas & Power and Régsiti.
Bono Social (most people do not qualify)
Bono Social is a government discount. It always needs the regulated PVPC tariff, at your main home, with 10 kW or less. Low income is the usual way in. You also qualify automatically if you are a recognised large family, whatever you earn, or if the household lives on a minimum contributory pension or the Ingreso Mínimo Vital. Second homes never qualify, because it only applies where you actually live.
Do not judge by a headline kWh rate
The real bill also depends on contracted power, regulated network charges, taxes, meter rental and any add-ons.
- CUPS
- The permanent code that identifies your home's electricity supply point. It is on any bill and stays with the home.
- Potencia contratada
- The amount of power, in kW, your home can draw at once. Too high can mean overpaying; too low can trip the breaker.
What about gas?
Gas only matters if the home has mains gas (gas piped to your home, not bottled). Many homes are all-electric or use bottled gas. Providers can bundle luz + gas, and Naturgy is the natural spoke to read when gas matters.
Read Naturgy guideElectricity provider guides
Start with the comparison if you are choosing, or open a provider spoke for English support, documents and the retailer/distributor split.
Octopus Energy
Modern free-market retailer with green positioning, no permanence and a strong expat reputation.
Read guide
Endesa
Large incumbent with the clearest official English-capable customer line among old-line providers.
Read guide
Naturgy
Useful when you want electricity and mains gas considered together.
Read guide
Repsol
Multi-energy retailer that can fit drivers and EV households, with a Spanish-first journey.
Read guide
Plenitude
Green challenger with electricity, gas, solar, EV and second-home angles.
Read guide
Iberdrola
Huge incumbent with the biggest English-wedge demand, but not an English-first journey.
Read guideElectricity guides
Practical reads on setting up electricity and keeping the bill down in Spain.
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Settlewell can handle the setup in English
Tell us about the property, documents and language needs. We help compare supported providers, prepare the setup and keep the process understandable. We can help with the rest of your move too: gas, water, internet, home insurance and alarms.
Leo and our team help you compare and set up in English
Electricity in Spain: common questions
Still have questions?
About this content
Written by
Head of Operations at Settlewell
Linus moved from Sweden to Málaga in 2021 and set his own home up here, so most of this he has already done the hard way once. Before Settlewell he spent years at Workwide, the cross-border recruiter that has helped over 10,000 people into jobs abroad, latterly as its Head of Recruitment and Operations. He speaks Spanish, lives in Málaga with his partner, and spends his days on the phone to Spanish providers.
Reviewed by Simon Nilsson, Founder & CEOLast reviewed
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