Water supply and bills

It is for anyone considering, planning or carrying out a move to Spain. You will learn how to open a water contract with your local provider, read the bill and handle worries about quality or leaks.

Start with "Getting water connected or into your name (contrato de agua)". It shows you how to find your provider and open or transfer a contract. Then read the other pages in the order your situation needs them.

Drought restrictions are not covered here.

Key rules

• IVA on water: Household water supply is charged IVA at 10% on mainland Spain and the Balearics.
• Leak test: To test for a hidden leak, close all taps and wait 30 to 60 minutes, or overnight, then read the meter again.
• Leak repairs: The landlord pays for leaks from fixed installations and wear, while the tenant pays for small repairs from ordinary use or damage they caused.
• Supplier: Your water supplier is set by your town, so find it from a bill, the meter cover, your landlord or the town hall.
• Documents: Each supplier sets its own list, so ask for it before you apply.
• Not national: No national rule requires the certificate for water; it depends on your region and your provider.

Water supply and bills: the whole process, step by step

• Find your water supplier (Getting water connected or into your name): Before you move in or as soon as you have the keys

• Gather your documents and ask the supplier for its exact list, including any habitability certificate (Water connection and the habitability certificate): Before you apply

• Request a change of holder at a home that is already connected: Change is registered within a few days, often 1 to 5 working days; the supply is normally not cut

• Request a new contract at a property with an existing connection and meter: Usually a few days to about 1 to 2 weeks, including a technician visit

• Arrange a brand-new connection (acometida) if the property has none: Can take several weeks, as it needs works, a licence and connection fees

• Receive your first bills and check how often you are billed (How Spanish water bills are structured and how often you pay): Many large cities bill every 2 months, others quarterly, some monthly

• If a bill looks wrong or very high, check for leaks and ask for a meter check (A very high water bill: finding leaks and who pays): As soon as you see the bill, ideally within a month of it

• File a written complaint (reclamación) with the supplier and keep a copy: Usually within about a month of the bill; the supplier normally answers within about a month

• If the supplier rejects the complaint, go to the municipal consumer office (OMIC), the regional consumer authority or the arbitration board: After the supplier's reply or rejection

Documents you may need

Identity and residence

• Your ID — Getting water connected or into your name (contrato de agua), Water connection and the habitability certificate (cédula de habitabilidad)

Income and work

• A company tax number — Getting water connected or into your name (contrato de agua)

The home and the lease

• The previous contract or meter number — Getting water connected or into your name (contrato de agua)

Other documents

• Proof you can occupy the home — Getting water connected or into your name (contrato de agua)
• Proof of ownership or title — Water connection and the habitability certificate (cédula de habitabilidad)
• Installation certificate for the plumbing — Water connection and the habitability certificate (cédula de habitabilidad)

Water supply and bills: questions that cross several articles

Who do I contact to find out who supplies water at my address?

Your water supplier is chosen by your town hall (ayuntamiento), so start with a previous bill, the meter cover, or the town hall's website or phone line. Your landlord or community of owners usually knows the supplier and the contract number (póliza). Read Getting water connected or into your name (contrato de agua) for the full steps.

Will I pay a deposit when I open a water contract?

Sometimes, a deposit (fianza) is charged when you open a new contract, but many suppliers charge none for a simple change of holder. For ordinary homes it is often under about 100 euros and is refunded when the contract ends. New connections may also carry contracting fees, so see Getting water connected or into your name (contrato de agua).

Can a missing habitability certificate delay my water contract?

Yes, some suppliers and regions ask for a habitability certificate (cédula de habitabilidad) or first-occupation licence, mostly for new builds, before they open a contract. Ask your supplier for its exact document list before applying. Read Water connection and the habitability certificate (cédula de habitabilidad) for when it blocks a contract.

Should I ask for a change of holder or a new contract?

Ask for a change of holder (cambio de titular) if the home is already connected, and for a new contract (alta nueva) if it has no active contract or no connection. A change of holder usually needs less paperwork and no new-connection charges, and the supply is normally not cut.

What can I do if my first bill is wrong or much higher than expected?

File a written complaint (reclamación) with the supplier, usually within about a month of the bill, and keep a copy. You can also ask for a meter check, which you pay for only if the meter proves correct. Read A very high water bill: finding leaks and who pays and How Spanish water bills are structured and how often you pay.