Compare & Switch Electricity Suppliers in Spain

How to switch electricity supplier in Spain

Switching your electricity supplier in Spain is a straightforward process designed to be easy for the consumer. Once you have chosen a new provider, you simply provide them with your details, and they handle the entire switch in the background.

Your new supplier will communicate with your local distributor to transfer the supply contract. Your old supplier will automatically send you a final bill for your consumption up to the switch date.

Supplier versus Distributor

In Spain, the company that sells you electricity (Supplier/Comercializadora) is different from the company that owns the cables and meter (Distributor/Distribuidora). You can change your supplier at any time, but your distributor is fixed based on your geographical region (e.g., e-distribución for Endesa, i-DE for Iberdrola). Switching your supplier does not change your physical network or the company that responds to outages.

Documents and Information Required

To process a switch, you will typically need:

• Your NIE or Passport number
• The CUPS number (found on your current bill)
• Your exact supply address
• A Spanish bank account number (IBAN) for direct debit
• Contact details (email and phone number)

What is the CUPS number?

The CUPS (Código Universal de Punto de Suministro) is a unique 20-to-22 character code starting with 'ES' that identifies your exact supply point. It is permanent and stays with the property, much like a vehicle's license plate.

Changing the Contract Holder

If you just moved into a property, you must change the contract holder (cambio de titular). This ensures you are not liable for the previous occupant's debt. This can usually be done at the same time as switching to a new supplier.

Debt and Unpaid Bills

You cannot switch suppliers if you have an outstanding debt associated with your name at that supply point. The distributor will reject the switch until the debt is cleared. If you are a new tenant and the previous tenant left a debt, you must perform a 'cambio de titular' without subrogating the debt.

Cooling-off and Cancellation Rights

Under Spanish consumer law, you have a 14-day cooling-off period (derecho de desistimiento) during which you can cancel a new contract without any penalty, provided you signed up online or by phone.

Fixed vs Indexed Tariffs

A fixed tariff (precio fijo) guarantees the same price per kWh for the duration of your contract (usually 12 months). An indexed tariff (precio indexado) fluctuates daily or hourly based on the wholesale market price plus a small supplier margin.

Regulated vs Free Market

The Spanish electricity market is divided into the regulated market (PVPC), where prices change hourly and are set by the government, and the free market (Mercado Libre), where you can find fixed rates and specialized tariffs. The Bono Social (social discount) is only available on the regulated market.

Contracted Power (Potencia)

Your contracted power dictates how many appliances you can run simultaneously. If it's too high, you pay unnecessary fixed costs. If it's too low, your power will trip. Spain allows you to have two different power levels (peak and off-peak).

Maintenance Add-ons

Many large suppliers will attempt to sell you maintenance contracts (mantenimiento) for your electrical installation or gas boiler. These are often not required and can add €5-€15 to your monthly bill. Check the fine print.

Permanence and Exit Clauses

Most modern domestic tariffs do not have permanence (sin permanencia). However, if you accepted a discount or a maintenance add-on, a penalty may apply if you leave before 12 months. Always check your current contract terms before switching.

Solar Export and Virtual Batteries

If you have solar panels, you need a tariff that compensates you for excess energy injected into the grid (excedentes). Many modern suppliers offer a Virtual Battery (Batería Virtual) that allows you to store the financial value of excess energy to offset your winter bills or second homes.

Holiday Homes

For properties mostly empty, the fixed power cost (potencia) makes up the bulk of the bill. You should look for a tariff with the lowest possible potencia price, even if the per-kWh price is slightly higher.

What happens after submitting a switch?

You will receive a confirmation email. The new supplier will notify the distributor. Within a few days, your supply will transfer. You will receive a final pro-rata bill from your old supplier and your first bill from the new supplier about a month later.

When NOT to switch

Do not switch if you are currently benefiting from the Bono Social and still meet the requirements, or if you have an exceptionally good fixed rate secured during a low-price period that is still active.

How weSwitchSpain Evaluates a Bill

We use your actual hourly consumption data over the past year. We simulate what you would have paid on every available tariff in our database, including taxes, regulatory charges, and fixed costs, to find the absolute cheapest option for your specific habits.

What to Verify Before Accepting

Before signing any contract, verify: 1) the price per kWh, 2) the price per kW of potencia, 3) the duration of the prices (usually 12 months), 4) the absence of permanence clauses, and 5) that no unwanted maintenance services are included.