Drought and water restrictions
You will know what drought rules can apply to you, where to find your local rule and how to avoid fines.
Drought rules in Spain are not the same everywhere. They change by river basin and by town, and they can affect your pool, your garden and sometimes your water supply. This Topic explains how Spain declares a drought, what restrictions can apply to a home, what happens if the water is cut, and…
Pick the article that fits your situation
Spain's drought phases: reservoir levels, alerts and who decides
Explains the four drought levels Spain uses, what each usually means for your household, and who declares them: basin or regional authorities, with town halls able to add stricter rules. For anyone living in Spain who wants to know which water rules apply to them.
Why some parts of Spain run drier than others
Water stress in Spain is not even. The southeast, Andalusia, Catalonia and the islands are structurally drier and more exposed. This page shows which areas are most at risk and how to check your own area before you choose where to live.
What water restrictions ban: pools, gardens and car washing
Drought rules usually limit filling pools, watering gardens, washing cars at home and running beach showers, and they get stricter as the drought worsens. This page is for anyone living in or moving to a part of Spain under water restrictions.
Fines for breaking water restrictions: how real is the risk?
Explains who can fine you for breaking water restrictions in a drought, how big fines can get, and how often they really happen. Written for newcomers living in Spain, especially in areas with drought rules or with a well.
Water cuts and tanker supply: living where supply is fragile
Explains why water can be cut, pressure-reduced or delivered by tanker in parts of Spain, where it has happened, what rights you have and how to check a home before you rent or buy. For anyone choosing a home in a dry area.
Wells and boreholes on rural property: what is legal
A well or borehole on rural land in Spain needs registration or a concession from the water authority. This page explains which one applies, what an unauthorised well risks, and what buyers must check before they commit.
About this topic
It is for anyone thinking about, planning or carrying out a move to Spain. After reading, you will know which drought rules can apply to you, where to find your local rule and how to avoid fines.
Start with "Spain's drought phases: reservoir levels, alerts and who decides". It explains the alert levels and which authority sets the restrictions in your area. From there, move on to what the restrictions ban, how fines work, what to expect if supply is fragile, and what is legal for wells and boreholes.
Water bills, supply contracts and tap water quality are not covered here.
Key rules
- Well volume: An owner can use up to 7,000 m3 per year from a well on their own land for domestic use without a concession, but it must still be registered.
- Appeal deadline: After a fine notice starts, you have 15 working days to send your arguments, and 1 month to appeal once the fine is final.
- Levels: Spain's drought plans use four levels, in this order: normalidad, prealerta, alerta and emergencia.
- Who declares: Your basin authority or regional water authority declares the level, depending on where you live.
- Most exposed: The Segura basin has a structural water deficit, and the Júcar, Guadalquivir, Andalusian Mediterranean, Catalan internal basins and both island groups are also exposed.
- Check by basin: Find the river basin that covers your town, then read its indicator and drought scenario.
Documents you may need
The home and the lease
- Water supply contract in the owner's name — Water cuts and tanker supply: living where supply is fragile
- A nota simple from the Registro de la Propiedad — Wells and boreholes on rural property: what is legal
Other documents
- Your identification — Wells and boreholes on rural property: what is legal
- Proof that you own the land — Wells and boreholes on rural property: what is legal
- A technical project — Wells and boreholes on rural property: what is legal
- The confederación's resolution that grants the concession or registers the right — Wells and boreholes on rural property: what is legal
- The entry in the Registro de Aguas — Wells and boreholes on rural property: what is legal
- A certificate from the confederación on the status of the right and on any — Wells and boreholes on rural property: what is legal
- Your town hall's ordinance on water restrictions — Water cuts and tanker supply: living where supply is fragile
- A hydrogeological report — Wells and boreholes on rural property: what is legal
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