Electricity

Visit the local electricity company office to register for a supply to your home and sign contracts. Take identification with you (residence card or passport) and proof that the previous tenant/owner had a contract and paid bills. Billing for electricity is every 2 months.

Although some remote parts of Spain still have a 110 volt supply, most of the country is now 220 volts AC.

Spain suffers from regular power cuts, and there are problems with the electricity supply after heavy rain. If cuts are likely to affect where you live, consider installing a back-up generator, especially if you rely on electronic equipment (computer, fax etc) for work.

Only the major cities in Spain have a mains gas supply. If your property has mains gas, contact the local supplier to switch on the gas, read the meter and provide a contract to sign. Gas is billed every 2 months and includes VAT ('IVA' in Spain) at 16%.

A company called Repsol Butano delivers gas bottles (bombonas) directly to homes - again you sign a contract for this.