GUIDES

How electricity bills work in Spain

A Spanish electricity bill is more than consumption multiplied by one advertised price. Start by separating power, energy and contract-specific costs.

Last checked: September 2026

The 30-second explanation

Your bill can include the electricity you use, contracted-power charges, regulated components and taxes, meter rental where applicable, and any additional services in your contract. The exact layout and price structure depend on your tariff.

That is why a low-looking energy price is not enough on its own. Read the total conditions and the bill sections together.

kW and kWh

kW (kilowatts) is power: how much electricity your home can demand at one moment. kWh (kilowatt-hours) is energy: how much electricity you use over time.

An oven and an induction hob running together raise the power you need at that moment. Leaving lights, appliances and heating on for longer raises the kWh you consume.

Contracted power and consumption

Contracted power (potencia contratada) is set in kW. It is part of your contract, so a power charge can appear even in a month when you use little energy.

Consumption is measured in kWh. It is the part most people mean when they talk about ‘using electricity’, but it is only one part of the bill.

Supplier and distributor

Your supplier (comercializadora) is the company you contract with and normally receive the bill from. Your distributor (distribuidora) operates the local electricity network for your area. Consumers do not normally choose the distributor.

Bills and the CNMC’s bill tool can help identify both companies and the contact route for different issues.

What kind of contract is this?

First identify whether you are in the regulated market (PVPC) or the free market. In the free market, a contract can have a fixed energy-price structure, different prices by time period, an indexed formula, or another permitted structure. These labels can overlap rather than being three equivalent categories.

For eligible customers, PVPC is a regulated methodology with a dynamic energy cost. It is not simply a fixed or a free-market indexed offer.

What to check first

Check the supplier, market and price structure; contracted power; annual or period consumption; additional services; permanence or early-termination terms; and the renewal date or conditions.

Qualifying bills can include a QR code or link to the CNMC’s consumer tools. OTRIA is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the CNMC or any electricity supplier.