Electricity contracts and tariffs

It is for anyone thinking about, planning or carrying out a move to Spain. After reading, you should be able to pick a tariff, a power level and a supplier without overpaying or being misled.

Start with "Who to call about electricity: distributor or supplier (comercializadora)". It explains which company handles faults, meters and billing, and the rest of the topic builds on that.

Heating and cooling, solar and efficiency grants, bono social details and electric vehicle charging are not covered here.

Key rules

• Claim reply time: The supplier must answer a written claim within one month.
• PVPC contract term: A PVPC contract has no minimum term and no penalty for leaving, so you can switch at any time without charge.
• Withdrawal right: Contracts signed at your door or by phone or online can be withdrawn within 14 days.
• Switching cost: Switching supplier is free and your supply is not cut off, and the new supplier cancels the old contract for you.
• One supplier: Each supply point can have only one supplier at a time.
• Faults and meters: Power cuts, faults and meter problems go to the distributor.

Electricity contracts and tariffs: the whole process, step by step

• Check what the company must tell you before you sign: price, duration, minimum stay, renewal and how to cancel (read Comparing electricity offers and spotting traps): before you sign any contract

• If a salesperson says they are from your electricity company, ask for name, ID and company, then call the number on your own bill (read Is a salesperson who says they are your electricity company legitimate): at the door or during the call, before sharing any data

• Withdraw from a contract signed at your door or by phone or online: within 14 days

• Switch supplier; the change takes about 5 working days for electricity when no meter change is needed (read Switching electricity or gas supplier without a power cut): after you pick an offer

• Change your contracted power by asking your supplier, which passes it to the distributor (read Choosing your contracted power (potencia) in kW): at any time; after a change the distributor can refuse another one for 12 months, except for increases

• Check your first bills for errors: power, estimated readings, tariff, extras (read How to read your Spanish electricity bill): when each bill arrives

• Refuse or cancel add-ons such as maintenance or insurance, and ask for a refund if they were added without your consent (read Maintenance and insurance add-ons sold with energy contracts): as soon as you spot them

• If a switch happened without your consent, write to the new supplier, ask to go back to your former supplier and tell the former supplier too: immediately

• Send a written claim to the supplier about a wrong bill and keep proof: as soon as you find the error; the supplier must answer within one month

• If there is no answer or you are unhappy, go to your regional consumer office (OMIC) or the consumer arbitration board: after the one month reply period ends

Documents you may need

Identity and residence

• Your ID — Switching electricity or gas supplier without a power cut

The home and the lease

• A written offer with the full contract terms — Is a salesperson who says they are your electricity company legitimate
• A written statement to the new supplier that you did not authorise the contract — Is a salesperson who says they are your electricity company legitimate
• Your contract or offer sheet showing the add-on — Maintenance and insurance add-ons sold with energy contracts

Other documents

• A recent copy of your own electricity bill — Is a salesperson who says they are your electricity company legitimate
• Your own evidence of what happened — Is a salesperson who says they are your electricity company legitimate
• Your written request to end the add-on alone and keep the supply — Maintenance and insurance add-ons sold with energy contracts
• Proof that you sent the request — Maintenance and insurance add-ons sold with energy contracts
• A new electrical certificate — Choosing your contracted power (potencia) in kW
• The supplier's proof of consent — Is a salesperson who says they are your electricity company legitimate
• A written demand for a refund — Maintenance and insurance add-ons sold with energy contracts

Electricity contracts and tariffs: questions that cross several articles

Can I change my contracted power whenever I want?

Yes, you can ask your supplier to raise or lower contracted power at any time, but after a change the distributor can refuse another one for 12 months, except for increases. Lowering and then raising it later may mean paying access fees again. Read Choosing your contracted power (potencia) in kW, and Why your power keeps tripping (ICP and differential switch) if the limiter keeps cutting out.

How does the PVPC price differ from a fixed or indexed price?

The PVPC energy price mixes spot and forward market prices, with 55% forward in 2026, so it moves with the market, while a fixed price stays the same for the contract. Indexed contracts follow the wholesale price plus a margin. Read Choosing between the regulated tariff (PVPC) and a free-market price, then Comparing electricity offers and spotting traps.

Which hours are cheapest, and does that change which contract suits me?

On weekdays the cheapest hours (valle) are 0:00-8:00, and weekends and national holidays are all valle. If you can shift use to those hours, PVPC or a time-banded offer may pay off; flat use suits a fixed price. Read Peak, flat and valley hours (punta, llano, valle) and cheap power, then Choosing between the regulated tariff (PVPC) and a free-market price.

How do I know which contracted power my home can have?

Homes can contract in 0.1 kW steps, with common steps like 3.45, 4.6, 5.75 and 6.9 kW, and up to 15 kW the 2.0TD tariff applies. Above 15 kW a different tariff with a maximeter applies. Read Choosing your contracted power (potencia) in kW, then How to read your Spanish electricity bill to check the figure billed.