Compare electricity in Spain — expat guide
TL;DR
The cheapest electricity in Spain depends on your consumption pattern. The two main options are the regulated PVPC (price changes hourly, follows the wholesale market — volatile but no commercial margin) and the free market (fixed-price contracts, indexed contracts with margin, etc. — predictable but you pay for that). Switching providers is free, takes a maximum of 10 business days by law from contract signing, and does not interrupt your supply. Upload your Spanish bill below — we read it, strip your personal data, and compare it against the active tariffs in the Spanish market.
Compare with your real bill
[Upload bill →] PDF, photo, scan. About 30 seconds. No email, no phone.
Spain's electricity market in one minute
- Regulated tariff (PVPC): government-controlled price, follows the wholesale market hour by hour. Sold only by the official "reference suppliers" (Curenergía, Energía XXI, etc.). No commercial margin; volatile.
- Free market tariffs: many commercial providers (Endesa, Iberdrola, Naturgy, Repsol, Holaluz, TotalEnergies, etc.). Fixed, indexed or mixed. Predictable price; you pay a margin.
- Time-of-use is mandatory under the regulated 2.0TD access tariff. Three time bands: peak (10–14h, 18–22h weekdays), shoulder, off-peak (00–08h weekdays + all weekends + national holidays).
- Off-peak is notably cheaper than peak.
How to switch electricity in Spain (as an expat)
You'll need:
- NIE (Spanish foreigner ID number).
- CUPS code — appears on every bill (22-character code starting with
ES). - IBAN for direct debit.
- Address + supply identifier.
The new provider notifies the old one. You do nothing. By Spanish law, the switch must be completed within a maximum of 10 business days from the contract being signed. The lights never go off.
Full switching guide → (Spanish — full English version coming)
What is PVPC and should I use it?
PVPC (Precio Voluntario para el Pequeño Consumidor) is Spain's regulated tariff. The government sets the formula; the price tracks the wholesale electricity market hour by hour.
PVPC tends to make sense if:
- You can shift consumption to off-peak (nights, weekends, national holidays).
- You're comfortable with bills varying notably between months.
- You charge an EV at night.
- You have solar panels and consume mostly during peak daylight hours.
PVPC is probably not the right pick if:
- You need a predictable bill (tight household budget).
- All-electric heating with no inertia (winter peaks can hurt).
- You can't shift consumption to off-peak hours.
Full PVPC vs free market guide →
Common expat mistakes
- Keeping the previous tenant's tariff. Often overpriced. Compare on day 1.
- Contracted power too high. Many tenants inherit a contracted power level that's higher than they need. The término de potencia (fixed monthly charge) is regulated by the CNMC and you pay for every contracted kW whether you use it or not. Check your bill, then ask your provider about lowering it if appropriate.
- Paying in English-language platforms that charge a premium. Some "expat" comparators charge for what is essentially Spanish-market data the rest of the country gets for free.
- Not knowing about the bono social. If you meet income or vulnerability criteria, the bono social applies a discount on your electricity bill. Eligibility and discount levels are regulated and change periodically — check the latest at bonosocial.gob.es.
- Estimated bills. If your bill says "estimated" rather than reflecting an actual meter read, submit a self-reading. Estimates can drift from reality.
What does a Spanish electricity bill include?
| Component | What it is |
|---|---|
| Término de potencia | Fixed charge based on contracted kW × days. Regulated peaje + commercial margin. |
| Término de energía | Variable charge per kWh consumed. Reflects time-of-use bands. |
| Alquiler de contador | Meter rental, regulated and modest. |
| Impuesto eléctrico | Electricity tax. Tax rate is set in the Spanish Tax Law and has had temporary reductions during recent energy crises — verify the rate that applies to your bill date. |
| IVA | VAT. Standard rate applies, with reductions in some periods/conditions — verify what applies to your bill date. |
Full bill anatomy → (Spanish)
FAQ
Can I switch as a non-resident? You need a NIE. Most suppliers accept tourist NIEs.
Do I need to speak Spanish to switch? Most providers offer online sign-up. Customer service is mostly Spanish-only; Holaluz and TotalEnergies have offered some English support historically — verify when contracting.
What tariff makes sense for an EV charged at home? A tariff with a meaningfully cheaper off-peak price (PVPC, or a free-market plan with a "Plan VE" / nocturno tier). Programme the wallbox to charge during off-peak hours.
Are solar panels worth it in Spain? Depends on roof orientation, shading, daytime consumption profile, your current tariff and whether your CCAA's subsidy programme is open. Get a quote from a local installer who can run the numbers for your specific roof and consumption.
What is the bono social? A regulated discount on the electricity bill for households that meet income or vulnerability criteria. Discount levels and eligibility rules are set by regulation and updated over time — check the official site at bonosocial.gob.es.
Key concepts
Sources
- OMIE — wholesale electricity market.
- Comisión Nacional de los Mercados y la Competencia (CNMC) — sector regulator.
- REE-eSIOS — grid operator data, including the official PVPC indicator.
Last updated: 9 May 2026 · Author: Zorrito Research