Public Services
Electricity, Gas, Water & Telephone - in Spain
Telephone Service in Spain
The national Spanish telephone company, Telefónica, is responsible for providing the land line telephone service in Spain.
To have a landline telephone installed, connected or reconnected, visit the local Telefónica office. Telefónica has a commercial office (Oficina Comercial) or a client service office (Oficina de Atención al Usuario) in each province.
Telefonica also has a comprehensive English-language website:
The Telefónica English-language call service is open for enquiries between 10:00 and 18:00 Monday to Friday.
Tel: 0034 917040319
Note: They request you have the following information to hand when calling: a Telefónica bill (if possible) or a recent utility (electricity) bill, the NIE and passport number and bank account details
Getting connected
When requesting a line installation provide the following:
- Identification: a passport or residence permit (residencia)
- Proof of address: a recent electricity bill, copy of property deed (Escritura) or rental contract
If a property has a line installed the account can be transferred to an incoming resident's name. Arrange for re-connection and then set up the standing order with your bank to pay both connection and phone bills. Check that all previous bills have been paid to avoid being liable for the outstanding money.
Bills (facturas), which include VAT (IVA) at 16 percent, are generally sent monthly and allow 20 days for payment. Itemised bills (factura detallada) are provided, listing all numbers called with the date and time, duration and the charge.
Bills can be paid by direct debit (domiciliación bancaria), in cash at most banks or in cash at a Telefónica office. Cheques aren't normally accepted. Present your bill with the payment and you will receive a receipt.
Cellular/Mobile telephones
There are several mobile cellular telephone service providers in Spain:
Contracts: Connection, services offered and monthly service charges vary depending on the provider and it is recommended to compare the prices and services offered.
Pay as you go: The pre-paid card (tarjeta prepago) provides a number and a certain amount of call-time ("credit"). The credit must be used within a year, after which the card must be renewed or the phone number will cease to function.
Cards can be bought at a number of places: tobacconists (estancos), newsagents, supermarkets, petrol stations and from telephone card machines.
- See AngloINFO INFOrmation Page Getting an Telephone & Internet Connection in Spain
Electricity Service in Spain
It is necessary to have a contract with the local electricity company in order to receive electricity. In general, the information needed to get power connected is the following:
First-time connection for a new-build house:
- Connection certificate (Boletin de Enganche). This must be supplied by the electrician who installed all electrical wiring
- The First Occupation Licence (Licencia de Primera ocupación or Certificado de Habitabilidad) available from a Town Hall
For all electrical connections:
- A copy of the last electricity bill to the property
- Identification (passport or Spanish NIE number)
- If renting, details of the rental contract or details from the property title deeds
- Bank account details in order to set up payment of the bi-monthly bills on Standing Order.
Once the contract is set up, bills will be received by post, showing the total amount that will be debited from the bank account.
To cancel the contract it is necessary to write a letter to the supplying company asking them to stop the service. Attach a copy of the passport identity page or Spanish NIE number.
The electricity supply in most of Spain is 220 volts AC with a frequency of 50 hertz (cycles).
Electricity companies
Water Supply in Spain
The seller of the house or the landlord must supply the new resident with the most recent water bills paid to the utility company. (The Town Hall provides information on which water company supplies a property.)
The following documents are necessary to obtain water:
- Photocopy of the property title deed (Escritura) or rental contract of the property in the applicants name
- Photocopy of the passport or Spanish NIE number
- Official water installation certificate (Boletin del agua) provided by a certified plumber (new property)
- Payment of the contract fee
- Bank account details in order to set up payment of bills on Standing Order.
Gas
When moving into a property with mains gas (usually only in the larger cities), contact the local gas company to have the gas switched on, the meter read and to sign a supply contract. A bill will be sent bi-monthly (every two months), which will include VAT (IVA) at 16 percent. Gas can be paid by direct debit (transferencia).
If there is no mains gas, butane bottled gas (bombonas) can be delivered or may be available from local petrol stations depending on the area.
A contract with a supplier is needed in order to receive bottled gas. Before this contract is approved, the supplier will require a safety inspection where it will check the property where the gas appliance is to be used. Once complete, the contract will be drawn. A bottle deposit is due. Appliances must be serviced every five years (servicing can be arranged through the bottled-gas supplier or an authorised distributor).
Gas companies
Electricity, Gas, Water & Telephone emergency munbers
Below are the emergency telephone numbers to call when utilities or services breakdown.
Water
Aguas de Murcia
At: Plaza Circular 9, 30008 Murcia
Open: Monday to Friday 08:00-14:30 and 16:00-19:00 |
Website
e-mail |
Customer Service |
Tel: 968 278 008 |
Emergencies |
Tel: 968 278 000
Tel: 968 278 012 |
Electricity
Iberdrola (electricity and gas)
At: Avda de los Pinos 7, 30009 Murcia |
Website |
Customer Service (Private Individuals) |
Tel: 901 202 020 |
Customer Service (Companies) |
Tel: 901 220 230 |
- For a list of Iberdrola offices in Murcia province see the Iberdrola website
Gas
Gas Natural Murcia
At: Plaça del Gas 1, 08003 Barcelona |
Website |
Customer Service |
Tel: 902 250 365 |
Emergencies |
Tel: 900 750 750 |
Telephone
Telefonica is Spain's largest telecommunications company providing customers with landlines, mobile network and Internet access. It has a dedicated service for English-speaking people in Spain and a comprehensive website in English.
Service |
Contact |
Telefonica (in English) |
Website |
Customer service |
Tel: 902 118 247 |
Technical Support |
Tel: 1002 |
General Enquiries |
Tel: 1004 |
Directory Enquiries |
Tel: 11818 |
International Directory Enquiries |
Tel: 11825 |
International Calls |
Tel: 1005/8 |
Telefonica's mobile service is called Movistar
Service |
Contact |
Telefonica Movistar Service from a landline |
Tel: 1485 |
Movistar Customer Service from a mobile |
Tel: 609 |
Movistar Customer Service from abroad |
Tel: 609 100 609 |
Customer Service of mobile companies in Spain
Movistar
609 from a Movistar mobile.
1485 from any other company or landline.
Vodafone
123 from Vodafone mobile.
607.123.000 from any other company or landline.
Orange
1414 from orange mobile or from any other company or landline.
Yoigo
622 from Yoigo mobile
622622622 from any other company or landline.
Happy Movil
2980 desde cualquier Happy Movil
902007599 from any other company or landline.
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