Changing the name on the electricity contract in Spain after buying a property (cambio de titular)

Updated on 14/10/2026 · Voltaris, independent energy advisers in Spain

When you buy a property in Spain, the electricity contract does not move to you on its own. Until you change it, bills, debts and decisions stay in the previous owner's name. The change is called cambio de titular, and done properly it is quick and usually free.

Why it matters to do it straight away

While the contract is still in the seller's name, they can cancel it, the bank account they gave keeps being charged (or stops being charged and the supply goes into debt), and you cannot change the tariff or the contracted power. Many buyers only find out months later, when a bill bounces or the supply is cut for non-payment.

It is also the best moment to stop paying for a contract that was set up for somebody else's habits: the power, the tariff and the extras they chose may not suit you at all.

What you will normally need

• Your NIE or passport (the new account holder's identity document).
• The CUPS: the 20 to 22 character code that identifies the supply point. It is on any previous bill, starting with ES.
• Proof that you live there or own it: the deeds (escritura) or the purchase contract, or the rental contract if you are a tenant.
• A bank account (IBAN) for the direct debit. A Spanish account is the easiest; many suppliers also accept other SEPA accounts.
• An email and a phone number where the supplier can reach you.

How much it costs

If you keep the same supplier and the same contracted power, the change of name is usually free. What can add cost is changing the power at the same time, a new installation certificate, or a deposit that some suppliers request in specific cases. Ask for the full figure in writing before you go ahead.

How long it takes

Normally between a few days and two weeks. The supply is not interrupted at any point: the meter, the wiring and the electricity stay exactly the same, only the name on the contract changes.

Change the name, or switch supplier at the same time?

You can do both in one step: take over the supply in your name directly with a different supplier and a tariff that suits how you will use the house. For a holiday home or a home you only use part of the year, this is often where most of the saving is, because the fixed cost of the power term is paid every day whether you are there or not.

Mistakes we see often

• Leaving the seller's bank details in place "for now" and forgetting about it.
• Accepting add-ons (maintenance plans, insurance) that the previous owner had, without checking them.
• Keeping a contracted power far above what the house needs.
• Signing a contract in Spanish without understanding the lock-in period.

If you send us a recent bill for the property, we check all of this for free and handle the change for you, in English, from start to finish.

Frequently asked questions

Is it free to change the name on an electricity contract in Spain?

Usually yes, if you keep the same supplier and the same contracted power. Costs can appear if you change the power at the same time, if a new installation certificate is needed or if the supplier asks for a deposit.

What documents do I need for a cambio de titular?

Normally your NIE or passport, the CUPS of the supply, proof that you own or rent the property (deeds or rental contract) and a bank account for the direct debit.

Will the electricity be cut off during the change?

No. The change of account holder is purely administrative: the meter and the wiring stay the same and the supply is not interrupted.