Setting Up Utilities in Galicia: Electricity, Water, Gas, and Internet

Introduction: setting up utilities in your new home

Once you have the keys to your new home in Galicia, the next essential step is setting up basic utilities: electricity, water, gas, and telecommunications. For foreign buyers, this process can seem complex as it differs significantly from other European countries. This guide explains step by step how to do it, what documents you need, costs, and timelines, with specific information for Galicia and the Costa da Morte.

Documents needed for all utilities

Before starting, prepare the following documentation:

• NIE (Foreigner Identity Number): Essential for any contract in Spain. Apply at the Police Station or Foreigners' Office. The process takes 2-4 weeks.
• Property deed or rental contract: Proves you own or rent the property.
• Spanish bank account (IBAN): For direct debit payments. Open an account at any Spanish bank: Abanca, Santander, Caixabank, BBVA, or Unicaja.
• Habitability certificate: Proves the property is habitable. Some companies won't set up utilities without this.
• Cadastral reference: Found on the IBI receipt or in the deed.
• Supply point code (CUPS): For electricity and gas. Found on a previous bill or provided by the distributor.

Electricity

Electricity is the first utility you should set up.

Main electricity providers in Galicia

PVPC vs free market

• PVPC (Voluntary Price for Small Consumers): Regulated tariff varying hourly. Cheaper during off-peak hours. Only offered by reference suppliers (Naturgy, Endesa, Iberdrola).
• Free market: Fixed price for 1-2 years. More predictable. Recommended for stability. All companies offer free market tariffs.

Contracted power

How to set up electricity

1. Get the CUPS: From a previous bill or call the local distributor.
2. Choose provider and tariff: Compare prices on Selectra or Tarifaluzhora.
3. Request connection: Online, by phone, or in office. Need: NIE, deed, IBAN, CUPS, full address.
4. Timeline: If previously connected: 1-5 working days. New connection: 5-10 days.
5. Connection cost: If disconnected less than 3 years ago: 0-20€. If over 3 years or new: 80-170€.

Electricity distributor on the Costa da Morte

• Naturgy (UDET): Most of the Costa da Morte including Cee, Corcubión, Carnota, Muxía, and Fisterra.
• Iberdrola (i-DE): Some areas around A Coruña.

Water

Water supply in Galicia is managed differently by each municipality.

Who manages water in each area

How to set up water

1. Visit the concello (town hall): In most small Galician municipalities, this is done in person.
2. Documents needed: NIE, property deed, habitability certificate, IBAN.
3. Security deposit: Some councils require 50-150€ deposit.
4. Timeline: 1-2 weeks.
5. Monthly cost: 15-40€/month depending on consumption.

Well water in rural areas

Many rural Costa da Morte properties use well water:

• Must be registered with the Galicia-Costa Hydrographic Confederation
• Water must be analyzed periodically for human consumption
• New well installation: 3,000-8,000€
• Annual maintenance: 100-300€

Gas

Gas options in Galicia

Butane gas on the Costa da Morte

• Main supplier: Repsol and Cepsa. Home delivery available.
• 12.5kg cylinder: Costs 18-22€, lasts 4-8 weeks for cooking and hot water.
• Home delivery: 1-3 days. Also available at gas stations and hardware stores.

Internet and phone

Main operators and tariffs

Coverage on the Costa da Morte

• Cee center: Fiber available (Movistar, Orange, Vodafone, Digi)
• Corcubión: Fiber in urban area
• Fisterra: Fiber in center
• Rural areas: ADSL (10-20 Mbps) or 4G/5G internet

Alternatives for areas without fiber

• 4G/5G internet: SIM router with unlimited data. 35-50€/month. 20-100 Mbps.
• Starlink satellite: 40€/month + 349€ installation. 50-200 Mbps.
• WISP (wireless): Local providers. 30-45€/month.

Summary of costs and timelines

Conclusion

Setting up utilities in Galicia isn't complicated if you have your documents ready. Start with electricity, then water (in person at the town hall), decide if you need gas, and finally set up internet. Total setup costs run around 200-400€, with monthly utility costs for a 2-3 bedroom home on the Costa da Morte ranging from 100-200€/month. With some planning, your new home will be fully operational in 2-3 weeks.