Electricity change of name in Spain
The Spanish letter and phone script you need
By Linus Palmqvist, Head of Operations Reviewed by Simon Nilsson Last reviewed To put the electricity contract in your name, you may need to write to the company or call them in Spanish. We have written both for you. Copy the letter, or read the phone script out loud.
Do you need the previous person to sign anything?
Usually, no. If you have a rental contract, the deed to the home, an inheritance document, or a court paper showing your right to live there, you can ask for the change yourself. In Spanish, this proof is called justo título (a document showing your right to use the home).
You do not need the previous person to sign your direct request. If they are happy to sign too, you can add the short paragraph below.
A letter you can copy
Replace every word in [SQUARE BRACKETS] with your own details. CUPS is the unique code for the electricity supply point. DNI means the Spanish national ID card, and NIE means the identity number for a foreign resident. IBAN is your bank-account number. This is our template, not an official form from an electricity company. The English version tells you what the Spanish letter says.
Spanish letter
ASUNTO: Solicitud de cambio de titular del suministro eléctrico A la atención de [COMERCIALIZADORA]: Yo, D./Dña. [NOMBRE COMPLETO], con [DNI/NIE/PASAPORTE] número [DOCUMENTO], solicito el cambio de titularidad del suministro eléctrico correspondiente a: CUPS: [CUPS] Dirección del suministro: [DIRECCIÓN COMPLETA] Titular anterior, si se conoce: [NOMBRE Y DOCUMENTO] Soy el usuario efectivo del suministro y dispongo de justo título sobre el inmueble en virtud de [CONTRATO DE ALQUILER / ESCRITURA / SENTENCIA / DOCUMENTO DE HERENCIA], que adjunto. Solicito que el contrato quede a mi nombre con efectos desde [FECHA DE POSESIÓN]. La lectura del contador en esa fecha era [LECTURA] kWh. Adjunto fotografía del contador. Solicito expresamente el cambio de titular sin subrogación de deuda ni asunción de obligaciones de pago correspondientes al titular anterior. Datos de contacto: Teléfono: [TELÉFONO] Correo electrónico: [EMAIL] IBAN para la domiciliación: [IBAN] Documentos adjuntos: 1. Documento de identidad. 2. Documento acreditativo del justo título. 3. Fotografía o lectura del contador. 4. [OTROS DOCUMENTOS]. En [LUGAR], a [FECHA]. Firma: [NOMBRE]
What the letter means in English
SUBJECT: Request to change the holder of the electricity supply For the attention of [ELECTRICITY COMPANY]: I, [FULL NAME], with [DNI/NIE/PASSPORT] number [DOCUMENT], ask to change the holder of the electricity supply for: CUPS: [CUPS] Supply address: [FULL ADDRESS] Previous holder, if known: [NAME AND DOCUMENT] I use the electricity supply and have the right to use the home through [RENTAL CONTRACT / DEED / COURT JUDGMENT / INHERITANCE DOCUMENT], which I have attached. Please put the contract in my name from [THE DATE I MOVED IN]. The meter reading on that date was [READING] kWh. I have attached a photo of the meter. I clearly ask to change the contract holder without taking on the previous holder’s debt or their unpaid bills. Contact details: Phone: [PHONE] Email: [EMAIL] IBAN for direct debit: [IBAN] Documents attached: 1. Identity document. 2. Document showing my right to use the home. 3. Photo or reading of the meter. 4. [OTHER DOCUMENTS]. Signed in [PLACE], on [DATE]. Signature: [NAME]
If the previous person is happy to sign too
Add this only if the previous holder wants to help. You can still make your own request with proof of your right to use the home.
Spanish paragraph
Yo, D./Dña. [TITULAR ANTERIOR], con [DOCUMENTO], titular actual del suministro, autorizo su cambio a favor de D./Dña. [NUEVO TITULAR] con efectos desde [FECHA]. Firma del titular anterior:
What it means in English
I, [PREVIOUS HOLDER], with [DOCUMENT], am the current holder of the electricity supply. I agree to change it to [NEW HOLDER] from [DATE]. Previous holder’s signature:
Ask for the change without taking on their old bills
The law says the previous holder’s unpaid bills do not become yours. This sentence puts your request in writing. An old unpaid bill can still slow down the change.
Spanish sentence
Solicito expresamente el cambio de titular sin subrogación de deuda ni asunción de obligaciones de pago correspondientes al titular anterior.
What it means in English
I clearly ask to change the contract holder without taking on the previous holder’s debt or their unpaid bills.
What to say on the phone
Read this opening out loud when you reach an agent. While you wait, listen for gestiones (services), contratos (contracts), modificar contrato (change a contract), otras gestiones (other services), or hablar con un agente (speak to an agent).
Say this in Spanish
Hola. Quiero solicitar un cambio de titular del contrato de electricidad. Soy el nuevo inquilino / el nuevo propietario. El suministro está activo. Tengo el contrato de alquiler / la escritura y el CUPS. Solicito el cambio sin subrogación de deuda del titular anterior. ¿Puede atenderme en inglés?
What it means in English
Hello. I want to request a change of holder for the electricity contract. I am the new tenant / new owner. The supply is active. I have the rental contract / deed and the CUPS. I am asking for the change without taking on the previous holder’s debt. Can you help me in English?
What the agent may ask you
The exact call is different for each company, but these questions usually come in this order:
- 1
Choose the language or service you need.
- 2
The system may ask for the previous person’s ID number, phone number, contract reference or CUPS.
- 3
Say that you want to change the contract holder.
- 4
Say if you are the new tenant, owner, heir, or have a court paper giving you use of the home.
- 5
Give the CUPS and full address. If you do not have the CUPS, they may ask for the address and previous holder’s details.
- 6
Give the previous holder’s details if you know them. If you cannot contact that person, say so and offer your rental contract, deed or court paper.
- 7
Give your full legal name, ID number, phone number and email address.
- 8
Be ready for an upload link by text message or email so you can send your documents.
- 9
Say that you are not taking on the previous holder’s debt.
- 10
Give your bank details. The agent may also confirm the contracted power of your supply (potencia) and ask for a meter reading.
- 11
Listen to the privacy information and confirm the request.
Ask for a case number before you finish
Also ask where to send your documents and when they need them.
Ask this in Spanish
¿Me puede dar el número de gestión o referencia de la solicitud? ¿A qué correo tengo que enviar los documentos y cuál es el plazo?
What it means in English
Can you give me the case number or request reference? Which email address should I send the documents to, and when must I send them?
Spanish words you will hear
Keep this list open during the call. You do not need to remember every word.
- Cambio de titular
- Change of the named contract holder
- Titular actual / titular anterior
- Current / previous holder
- Nuevo titular
- Incoming or new holder
- CUPS
- Unique code for the electricity supply point
- Punto / dirección de suministro
- Supply point / supply address
- Potencia contratada
- Contracted electrical capacity
- Lectura del contador
- Meter reading
- IBAN
- Bank-account identifier
- Domiciliación bancaria / mandato SEPA
- Direct debit / SEPA debit mandate
- Factura pendiente
- Outstanding or unpaid bill
- Deuda
- Debt
- Al corriente de pago
- Up to date with payments
- Traspaso
- Transfer of the contract or supply position
- Subrogación
- Taking over the contract. Check whether it also means taking on their unpaid bills.
- Sin subrogación de deuda
- Without taking on the previous holder’s debt
- Contrato de alquiler
- Rental contract
- Escritura de compraventa
- Notarial purchase deed
- Justo título
- A document showing your right to own, live in or use the home
- Certificado de defunción / aceptación de herencia
- Death certificate / acceptance of inheritance
- Sentencia / convenio regulador
- Court judgment / divorce or separation settlement
Or let us make the call for you
Our help is free, and we handle the electricity holder change in English.
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.
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