In short: when you move you need electricity and (sometimes) gas in your name. If the home already has supply, a change of holder is usually enough (cheaper than a new connection). There's the regulated market (PVPC, government-set) and the free market (private companies). And there's the social bonus (discount for vulnerable households). Mostly handled online or by phone.
What you need: NIE/TIE; CUPS (supply point code, on any bill); address; IBAN for direct debit; sometimes an installation certificate (boletín) if supply was off for a long time.
Steps:
- Is there supply already? Yes → request a change of holder. No → new connection (may need a boletín).
- Choose market/tariff: regulated (PVPC) or free; compare prices and conditions.
- Provide your data (NIE, CUPS, IBAN) to the retailer; they confirm a date.
Social bonus (bono social): state discount on the electricity bill (and thermal social bonus for heating) for vulnerable households (low income, large family, recipients of certain benefits…). Not nationality-dependent; applied for through a reference retailer. Official terms: bono social — MITECO.
What you need as a foreigner: NIE/TIE and the data above. Spanish nationality is not required.
Common pitfalls: staying on the default tariff (often expensive) without comparing; leaving supply in the previous owner's name; accepting door-to-door/phone sales without checking (frequent scams — use official channels); not checking your social bonus eligibility.
Informational, not advice. Compare and contract via official channels. Social bonus: bono social — MITECO.