Last updated on September 13th, 2019 at 09:11 am.
We rely so much on our services that when they are cut off it comes as something of a shock. If you lose your electricity in Spain, in particular, you suddenly realise just how much you rely on it. There’s no television, internet, phone line. You can’t boil the kettle or put on the fan. You’re lucky if you have some gas appliances so at least you can still have hot water and a shower.
Depending where you are based, you can also be subject to the odd power failure in Spain that is not your fault. The electricity does go off occasionally, particularly if the weather has been bad. However, in this blog I’m talking about what you should do if the electricity is cut off and this time it is your fault.
It might be that you have forgotten to pay your Spanish electricity bill or you just didn’t leave enough money in your account to pay it. The difference between Spain and many other countries is that if you don’t pay your bill you don’t get numerous warnings. They will send one letter to inform you that the bill has not been paid and the date when it will be disconnected if you don’t catch up with the arrears. That’s it.
It can get worse. If you still haven’t paid your bill two to three weeks after your electricity has been cut off then they will send an electrician round to remove your meter. This makes the process of being reconnected even more complicated.
If you have just been cut off then you should go to your electricity provider’s nearest office, explain the situation and find out how much there is to pay. You will need to pay this in at a bank taking your electricity bill with you and then collecting the receipt of payment. You will then need to return to the electricity provider, show the receipt of payment and hopefully they should arrange to have you reconnected over the next couple of days. If the meter has been removed, it will take longer.
Of course, the best solution is not to let your bill go unpaid in the first place. Make sure you always leave enough money in your bank and a bit extra, just in case.
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10 comments
6 October, 2020 5:34 pm
Hi my relation has a property which was rented out for almost 2 years they had tempered with electricity was a small fire police were informed he lives in New Zealand so he hasn’t being to Spain in a long time we are trying to fix this now try get rented but think bill is like 10000 euro but it was from last tenants police said would fellow it up but noting as of yet no one cought
6 October, 2020 8:13 pm
Sorry to read about your situation, would recommen some specific legal advise to assist you in the matter.
With kind regards,
Ábaco Advisers
13 October, 2021 4:12 pm
Do they cut you off if they have charged you 3x the correct bill 3 months running because the satellite is not reading the meter right, and you can’t pay any more?
14 October, 2021 7:41 am
Sorry for not being able to get back to you with an answer as this will depend on the contract agreements signed with the company regarding this matter.
With kind regards,
Ábaco Advisers
11 July, 2022 5:57 pm
There is money in our Spanish bank account but they’ve not been sending our direct debit to the electricity company. My elderly mother is going Wednesday and we need it reconnected by then. What do you suggest?
12 July, 2022 8:06 am
Dear Lesley,
We recommend calling the electrical company and they will be able to charge the pending bills on the phone of via a link sent to you by email.
With best of luck.
Kind regards,
Ábaco Advisers
11 October, 2022 9:12 am
Hi,
My electricity was cut off to a property I rent out for non payment of a bill with the factura date of 11th August when there was plenty of money in the account to cover the amount owed, according to the bank the electric company did not apply for the money until 30th August and on that date was 13 Euros under what was needed to be paid.
The next months electricity bill was taken in full 5 days before I was cut off.
I have not had any letter reminding me there was an outstanding amount they just came and cut the supply off without warning.
Can you imagine the consequences if someone inside was using a dialysis machine at the time.
Do I have any chance of re-course against the electric company to cover the cost of re-housing my clients for three days along with the compensation they are demanding?
18 October, 2022 2:12 pm
Dear Mr. Jordan,
It might be difficult but you could try to claim it directly with the electrical company or via OCU https://www.ocu.org/ which is The Organisation of Consumers and Users is a non-profit organisation and a private Spanish independent association created to defend the rights of consumers.
Wishing you best of luck.
With kind regards,
Ábaco Advisers
16 October, 2022 10:21 am
Unable to get my Electricity reconnected in Sallent outside Barcelona.
Phoned/text/e/mailed with no results.
Cut off since Monday 10/10/22 all bills paid up to date.
Went in to the Barcelona office last Wednesday showed bills paid was told electricity would be back on when
I went home/still no power.
Phoned emergency service in Spain got no help just screamed at over the phone.
Need help.
I am sending comment for my Son/Adam who lives in Spain.? Worried and concerned Mum ?
17 October, 2022 7:08 am
Hi,
Sorry to read about your situation.
Our recommendation is to visit again a local office of your electrical company and check with them until the matter is resolved unfortunately.
Wishing you all the best of luck and that they reconnect the service as soon as possible.
With kind regards,
Ábaco Advisers
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