Bills and utilities! The two words we all dread even if we sign ourselves into them each passing day. Actually when its about month end and you just remember how much chunk of the hard earned money will be hived off the bank account, the bad feeling creeps in. The feelings away, we can’t seem to live without the bills either because the services offered like house heating make our everyday life worthwhile. Maybe it is not apparent to many but consciously, it is the very bills which keep us working hard to meet-probably with a few investment goals here and there and insurance for the future.
So, I’m sure at the top of your list as soon as you arrive in Italy is how to connect to utilities. In Spain, the winters can get really cold and you will need to warm your house. Besides, you will feel more at warm with your electricity and gas connection in place.
Well, luckily for you, Spain has a fairly straightforward procedure for connecting to electricity and heating services. Besides, the energy market is much liberalized so you will have many providers to choose from. Familiarizing yourself with the energy market will go a long way in saving costs and time. It won’t be long before your new apartment is nice, cosy and warm.
Electricity and Heating Services in Spain
Whether you are renting or buying property in Spain, getting access to electricity and heating is pretty easy. The country has an excellent energy network that serves both households and businesses countrywide. However, you might be frustrated by how expensive the energy bills in this country can be. Don’t let this discourage you though because their household electricity prices are still lower than most countries in Europe.
The bills are also higher during winter and summer months thanks to the lack of a centralized heating and cooling system. When you visit your new Spanish friends at their homes, you will notice that they either use gas or electricity for heating. Unless you are moving to the rural area then you might find a few households relying on wood for heating.
You should also note that not all providers operate countrywide. So, you should confirm which operators are available in your area before choosing one. Also note that different providers have varying offers and prices so shop around. Shopping around will ensure that you find the best and most affordable operator.
Connecting to a Gas or Electricity Service in Spain
Depending on whether you are renting or buying property in Spain, the procedure involved will differ. The procedure could also vary from one provider to another or even between regions. The process is more complicated if you are buying property that is not already connected to the national grid. It would also take longer since you have to call the network distributor and organize a set up.
However, if it already has a connection then all you have to do is call the provider and sign a new contract with them. If you are renting on the other hand, the first thing is to confirm if electricity and gas bills are included in your rental contract. Ask your landlord to itemize your rental contract so that you are aware of what you are paying for.
The good news is that if it’s not included then you can choose your own provider. However, make sure you transfer the account in your own name. Remember that keeping your bills in your landlord’s name will cost you extra. So, open a local bank account to make payments easy. Switching to a new provider could be tricky if there is only one provider in your area.
Heating and Electricity Options in Spain
As I mentioned earlier, the energy market in Spain is liberalized so you have access to many providers. Take advantage of this and shop around for the most affordable and one with a high quality of services. You can choose from either the free market (mercado libre) or the regulated market (mercado regulado).
Don’t be surprised to find your preferred provider operating in both markets. However, the CNMC (Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia) expects them to use different names in each. You should search online to see which providers are available in your area. Some areas only have access to one provider. If this is the case then don’t worry because you will still have a range of contracts to choose from.
Gas and Electricity Providers in Spain
You can choose either electricity or gas for heating or decide to have both. This is an advantage since the energy market itself is already liberalized. As a foreigner, you might feel like having so many options makes it harder to decide. However, remember that no one provider is so bad they shouldn’t be considered.
After choosing a provider, you will also need to choose the best tariff for you. The main energy providers in Spain are Endesa, Iberdrola, Hola Luz and Suop. I would recommend the comparison website Si Compare to compare the tariffs offered by each provider. It is a good site for expats since it’s in English.
Most providers use smart meters to measure gas and electricity. So you will have an easy time tracking your usage in Spain. They however need proof of identity (passport or ID card), your NIE number, details of your Spanish bank account and proof of address to sign you up.
Gas and Electricity Bills to expect in Spain
As soon as you arrive in Spain, you should consider opening a Spanish bank account. This is because most providers will expect you to pay your bills through automatic collection (direct debit).
While you could arrange a different payment method, this is the most secure and the simplest so I recommend it. Your provider will let you know when they expect you to pay your bills. But you should expect an annual statement to reconcile your invoices for the year.
