What to arrange for utilities before you land in Spain

Key rules

• Electricity and gas: You can contract both online or by phone before arriving, if the home has an existing supply point.
• Water: Expect to finish it in person or by email with documents, and it often needs a Spanish account.
• Internet: You can order remotely, but installation needs someone at the home.
• Gas reactivation: A closed gas supply needs an on-site inspection, so it waits until you have keys.

What you can do before you land

Electricity and gas can usually be contracted online or by phone before you arrive. Internet can be ordered remotely too. Water and any gas reactivation mostly have to wait until you are in Spain with access to the home.

Electricity and gas: arrange from abroad

You can contract both from abroad if the home already has a supply point. You need three things: the home's CUPS, your ID and a bank account.

• Ask the landlord or seller for the CUPS. Also ask who will be the holder of each contract.
• A valid foreign passport, or an EU ID card, is normally accepted as ID.
• Some online forms only accept a Spanish IBAN (one starting ES). If that happens, try the supplier by phone or try another supplier.

Do you need a NIE?

No law requires a NIE for electricity or telecom contracts. In practice, many suppliers ask for a NIE or Spanish tax number for direct debit and invoicing, and some systems will not let you continue without one. Ask each supplier before you start whether your passport is enough.

Paying from a foreign bank account

A Spanish account is the most reliable option. Without one, many electricity and gas suppliers and large telecom operators accept direct debit from a non-Spanish SEPA IBAN. Some also take card payment. Ask before you sign.

Water is harder. Water companies are often run by the town, and most want a Spanish account.

Internet: order now, install later

You can order fibre internet remotely and ask for an installation date. The installer needs access to the home and often to the building's equipment room. Pick a date when you will be there, or when someone you trust can let them in.

Water: usually in person

Water varies by company. Some deal by email if you send documents, and others want you to come in. Email the local water company before you arrive to ask what they need. Expect to finish it after you arrive, once you have your lease or deeds and the keys.

Gas reactivation: after you have keys

If the gas supply was closed, it needs an on-site inspection before it is switched back on. You cannot book that usefully until you have keys and access. Butane bottles need no contract.

What can wait

• Water contract and payment setup.
• Gas inspection and reactivation.
• Being present for the internet installation.

The planner, document list and checklist below put these in order.

Utilities set-up planner from before arrival to week four

Utilities planner from before arrival to week four

• Gather what every contract needs: your ID or NIE, a bank account, and proof you can occupy the home (lease or deed): Before you start, at least 30 days before you land (recommended 30 days before planned arrival)

• Ask the landlord or seller for the supply point number (CUPS) and for who will be the holder of each contract: At least 3 weeks before you land (recommended 21 days before planned arrival)

• Contract electricity online or by phone on an existing supply point: 1 to 2 weeks before you land, since a change of holder usually takes 1 to 5 working days (earliest 14 days before planned arrival; recommended 10 days before planned arrival; latest 7 days before planned arrival)

• Contact the local water company by email or in person and send the occupancy documents: 2 weeks before you land if they accept email; otherwise in your first days, since a change of holder takes a few days to 2 weeks (recommended 14 days before planned arrival)

• Order fibre internet and ask for an installation appointment: 3 weeks before you land if the building already has fibre, since installation usually happens 3 to 15 days after ordering (recommended 21 days before planned arrival)

• Be at the home for the fibre installation and any gas inspection, with access to the building's equipment room: In your first week after arrival (earliest on planned arrival; latest 7 days after planned arrival)

• Book a technical visit if a gas supply was closed and needs reactivating: As soon as you have the keys, allowing 1 to 3 weeks for the inspection (recommended on planned arrival)

• If the home has no active supply or needs a new connection, ask the supplier or water company for the timeline and the certificate required: As early as possible, because new connections take several weeks to months (recommended 45 days before planned arrival)

• Chase any service that is not working yet and ask for a new date in writing: By week four after arrival (latest 28 days after planned arrival)

Documents you need

• Your valid foreign passport, or an EU ID card, as identification for electricity, gas and telecom contracts. A NIE is not required by law, but some suppliers ask for it.

• A NIE or Spanish tax number, if the supplier asks for it for direct debit and invoicing.

• The supply point number (CUPS) of the home, to contract electricity or gas on an existing supply.

• A bank account for payment. A Spanish account is the most reliable option, and many electricity and gas suppliers accept a non-Spanish SEPA IBAN.

Checklist

• Ask each supplier whether a foreign passport is enough or whether it needs a NIE.

• Ask each supplier whether it accepts your non-Spanish SEPA IBAN for direct debit, or whether you can pay by card or transfer.

• Contract electricity and gas online or by phone on an existing supply point, with the CUPS, your ID and a bank account to hand.

• Order your telecom service remotely and ask for an installation date, because the installer needs access to the home.

• Contact the water company by email or in person to ask what documents it needs, since this varies by company.

• Book the on-site inspection to reactivate gas once you have keys and access, if the supply was closed.

Frequently asked questions

Can I pay my electricity bill from a non-Spanish bank account?

Yes, many electricity and gas suppliers accept direct debit from a non-Spanish SEPA IBAN, but some online forms only accept IBANs starting with ES. If the form rejects your IBAN, ask the supplier to set it up by phone or pay each bill by card or bank transfer.

Is a NIE legally required to sign an electricity or telecom contract?

No, the law does not require a NIE for electricity or telecom contracts, and a foreign passport or EU ID card can usually serve as your identification. In practice many suppliers still ask for a NIE, especially for direct debit and invoicing, so ask before you sign.

Will the water company accept a foreign account?

Water companies most commonly require a Spanish bank account, because many are run by the town. Ask yours what it accepts, and whether it can handle the sign-up by email with your documents.