Domestic Electricity in Spain

Information on the domestic power available and for appliances in Spain.

The Spanish electricity market was deregulated in 2003. Most homes in urbanised areas now have a choice of electricity suppliers, although in rural areas it is unlikely for there to be more than one supplier. In some remote areas no mains electricity is available so it is necessary to install a generator.

There are different electricity providers in each autonomous region and as such the price is likely to vary from place to place. The Town Hall (ayuntamiento) will be able to provide information about the local suppliers of electricity, water and gas.

Spain's standard electricity supply is 220 Volts (V), 50 Hertz (Hz) AC, although in some older properties it is still possible to find 110 V supply or a combination of the two.

Note: A country's available voltage is printed on the glass of a light bulb, or the light bulb packet.

Plugs & Adapters

Spain uses the standard European two-pin plug and socket.

See Wikipedia for an explanation and diagram.

All domestic goods purchased in Spain will have a compatible two pin plug attached. For appliances with foreign plugs, adapters (enchufes) can be bought or the plug can be changed. Adapters are available at most large supermarkets in tourist destinations, and electrical shops and DIY stores also usually stock them.

Power Cuts

Spain operates a power rating system (potencia) where a household calculates its average usage and the supply received is based on this. This can cause small blackouts if too many appliances are used at once.

It is worth knowing that during peak electricity usage periods and storms the electrical supply may be cut, this happens regularly in many regions. A supplementary generator or UPS system for computers can be installed at business or home that depends on power.

A power surge protector is also recommended to protect appliances (computers, TVs, fax machines) when the power supply is resumed.