Documents and ID Spanish suppliers ask for when you sign up

Terms used

• DNI — The DNI is the Spanish national identity card.
• NIE — The NIE is the identification number Spain gives to foreigners.
• TIE — The TIE is the residence card for foreigners living in Spain.
• CUPS — The CUPS is the code that identifies your electricity or gas supply point.
• Escritura — The escritura is the title deed that proves who owns a property.
• Cédula de habitabilidad — The cédula de habitabilidad is a certificate that a home is fit to live in.
• IBAN — The IBAN is your bank account number, used for direct debit.
• Certificado de instalación — The certificado de instalación is a certificate from an authorised installer that the gas installation is safe.

Key rules

• Bank account: A Spanish account is the most reliable way to set up direct debit, especially for water.
• Water: Each water operator sets its own document list, so ask it before you go.
• New connections: A new connection needs extra papers, such as the cédula de habitabilidad or the gas installation certificate.
• Electricity holder change: Changing the holder on an existing supply does not cut the power and normally takes a few days.

What every supplier asks for

Expect three things everywhere: your ID, proof that you live at the address, and bank details for direct debit. The detail changes by utility, so the sections below go one by one. The documents list and checklist below this text cover the full set.

Your ID

Use your DNI if you have one. As a foreigner, use your NIE, your residence card (TIE) or your passport. Electricity and gas suppliers accept any of these. Mobile and fibre providers vary: some want the NIE even when you show a passport, especially for fibre or a phone paid in instalments. Prepaid SIM cards need registered ID, and a passport is accepted.

Proof that you live there

• Electricity and gas: Suppliers mostly rely on the CUPS and your declaration that you live there. They ask for a lease or title deed (escritura) mainly for a new connection, or when you are not named on the previous contract.
• Water: Operators more often ask for proof: your lease, deed or the landlord's authorisation. A new connection also needs the cédula de habitabilidad or first-occupation licence.
• Phone and fibre: Providers mostly ask for the installation address, and sometimes a lease. A financed handset may need proof of address.

Bank details

Water, gas and fibre contracts ask for an IBAN for direct debit. A Spanish account is the most reliable option. Many electricity and gas suppliers and big phone operators accept a non-Spanish SEPA IBAN, but some online forms only accept numbers starting ES. Water operators, often run by the town, most commonly require a Spanish account. Some suppliers let you pay individual bills by card or bank transfer. Ask before you sign.

Details for each utility

Electricity. You need your ID, the CUPS (the code for your supply point, found on a previous bill), the address and your bank details. A change of holder does not cut the power and normally takes a few days. If you change the power or tariff and the existing installation certificate is old, you may need a new one.

Gas. Natural gas suppliers ask for ID, the CUPS, the address, your IBAN and proof of occupancy. A change of holder usually needs only the CUPS, your ID and the holder's consent. A new connection or reactivation also needs the certificado de instalación from an authorised installer and a valid periodic inspection. Bottled butane works differently and needs none of this.

Water. The local operator sets its own list. Typically it wants your ID, address, proof of occupancy, the previous contract or a recent bill if there is one, and your IBAN. Some also ask for a deposit and a signed contract form. Ask the operator for its list.

Mobile and fibre. Bring your NIE, TIE or passport, plus the installation address and IBAN for fibre. Some providers ask for a Spanish account for financed handsets.

Before you start

Ask the landlord or previous occupant for a recent bill showing the CUPS for each supply. Then phone each supplier and confirm its document list and whether it accepts your IBAN.

Documents you need

• Your ID: a DNI, or a NIE, residence card (TIE) or passport if you are a foreigner. Some telecom providers want the NIE even if you have a passport.

• Proof of occupancy: your lease, title deed (escritura) or the landlord's authorisation. Water operators ask for it most often; electricity and gas suppliers mostly ask for it on new connections or when you are not on the previous contract.

• Bank details (IBAN) for direct debit, for water, gas and fibre.

• The CUPS, the code that identifies the supply point, for electricity and gas. It is on a previous bill.

• The cédula de habitabilidad or first-occupation licence, for a new water connection.

• The installation certificate (certificado de instalación) from an authorised installer, plus a valid periodic inspection, for a new gas connection or reactivation.

• The previous contract or a recent bill, if the previous holder has one. Water operators ask for it.

Checklist

• Gather your ID: DNI, NIE, residence card or passport.

• Find your lease, title deed or landlord's authorisation as proof of occupancy.

• Ask the water operator for its document list, and whether it wants a deposit or a signed contract form.

• Check whether each supplier accepts your IBAN before you sign, especially a non-Spanish one.

• Ask a phone or fibre provider whether it wants the NIE even with a passport, and whether it needs proof of address.

• Get the cédula de habitabilidad and the gas installation certificate if the supply is a new connection.

Frequently asked questions

Can I pay my utility bills with a foreign IBAN?

Sometimes, because many electricity and gas suppliers and large phone operators accept a non-Spanish SEPA IBAN for direct debit.

Can I pay by card instead of direct debit?

Yes, some suppliers and phone operators accept card payment, and many let you pay individual bills by card or bank transfer. Ask before signing whether the contract itself can be set up without direct debit.

Is a passport enough ID for a mobile or fibre contract?

Sometimes, but some providers want a NIE even if you have a passport, especially for fibre or a phone with financing. Prepaid SIMs accept a passport as registered ID. Financed phones may also need a Spanish bank account and proof of address.

Do I need a habitability certificate to start a water or gas contract?

Yes for a new connection, because water operators ask for the cédula de habitabilidad (the habitability certificate) or first-occupation licence. For gas, a new connection or reactivation needs the installation certificate from an authorised installer and a valid periodic inspection.