Utilities & Internet
in Valencia
Electricity, water, gas, gigabit fibre, and mobile plans - everything you need to get connected in your new home. Expect to pay EUR 120-200/month total for all utilities in a typical apartment.
1 Gbps
Fibre Available
EUR 25/mo
Cheapest Fibre
EUR 10/mo
50GB Mobile
Setting up your utilities
Each utility explained: providers, costs, setup process, and the tips that save expats time and money.
Electricity (Luz)
EUR 50-90/month (1-2 bed apartment)
Providers
Iberdrola, Endesa, Naturgy, or smaller providers (Holaluz, Octopus Energy)
How to Set Up
You need your NIE, rental contract, and the previous tenant's CUPS code (a 20-digit supply point number on the meter or old bill). Call your chosen provider or sign up online. Activation takes 3-7 business days.
Expat Tips
- lightbulbAsk your landlord for the CUPS code before signing the lease
- lightbulbSpanish electricity has two pricing models: PVPC (regulated, variable) and mercado libre (fixed rate). PVPC is usually cheaper but fluctuates hourly
- lightbulbRun dishwashers and washing machines between midnight and 8am for the cheapest rates on PVPC
- lightbulbMost apartments have 3.3kW or 4.6kW contracted power - if your breaker trips often, you may need to upgrade (costs EUR 50-100)
Water (Agua)
EUR 15-30/month
Providers
Emivasa (managed by Global Omnium)
How to Set Up
Water contracts are usually transferred with the apartment. Your landlord may keep the water in their name. If you need to set up a new account, visit the Emivasa office with your NIE, rental contract, and empadronamiento certificate.
Expat Tips
- lightbulbValencia tap water is safe to drink but has a strong mineral taste - most expats use a Brita filter or buy garrafas (8L bottles) from the supermarket
- lightbulbWater bills arrive every 2 months (bimonthly), not monthly
- lightbulbHot water usually comes from an electric boiler (termo) or gas caldera - check which your apartment has
Gas (Gas Natural)
EUR 15-40/month (higher in winter with gas heating)
Providers
Naturgy, Iberdrola, Endesa
How to Set Up
Not all Valencia apartments have gas - many use electric heating and an electric boiler. If your apartment has gas, you need a gas contract. Call the provider with your CUPS code. A technician may need to inspect the installation.
Expat Tips
- lightbulbMany modern apartments are all-electric - no gas contract needed
- lightbulbGas boilers (calderas) provide instant hot water and are more efficient than electric termos
- lightbulbGas safety inspections are required every 5 years - your provider will notify you
- lightbulbIf you smell gas, call 900 750 750 (Naturgy emergency line) immediately
Internet (Fibra Optica)
EUR 25-50/month for 300-1000 Mbps fibre
Providers
Movistar, Orange, Vodafone, MasMovil, Digi, Pepephone
How to Set Up
Valencia has excellent fibre coverage. Most city apartments can get 300-1000 Mbps. Sign up online or in-store with your NIE and Spanish bank account. Installation takes 3-10 days. A technician visits to install the router.
Expat Tips
- lightbulbDigi offers the cheapest fibre: 300 Mbps for EUR 25/month, 1 Gbps for EUR 35/month
- lightbulbMovistar has the best coverage and reliability but costs more (EUR 40-55/month)
- lightbulbMost providers require a 12-month commitment - Pepephone and Digi offer no-commitment plans
- lightbulbIf working remotely, get a 4G/5G backup plan on your phone in case of outages during installation
- lightbulbSpeed test your connection at fast.com once installed - fibre in Valencia consistently delivers advertised speeds
Mobile Phone (Movil)
EUR 8-25/month
Providers
Movistar, Orange, Vodafone, MasMovil, Digi, Lycamobile
How to Set Up
You can get a prepaid SIM on day one with just your passport at any phone shop or supermarket. For a contract (better value), you need your NIE and Spanish bank account. Porting your old number takes 1-2 business days.
Expat Tips
- lightbulbDigi: EUR 10/month for 50GB data + unlimited calls - hard to beat
- lightbulbKeep your home country number on an eSIM for 2FA and bank verification
- lightbulbLycamobile prepaid is cheapest for international calls back home
- lightbulbMost providers offer combined fibre + mobile bundles at a discount
- lightbulbSpain uses standard EU roaming rules - your Spanish SIM works across the EU at no extra cost
First week checklist
Get connected as fast as possible with this day-by-day plan.
Get a prepaid SIM card (passport only)
Set up a VPN if needed for home-country streaming
Check apartment for existing utility contracts
Get CUPS codes from landlord for electricity and gas
Order fibre internet installation
Buy a Brita filter or water garrafas
Transfer or set up electricity contract
Convert to a contract mobile plan once you have NIE + bank account
Total monthly utility costs
What to budget for a typical 1-2 bedroom apartment in Valencia.
Budget (1-bed, careful usage)
EUR 110-150/mo
Electricity EUR 40-60 + Water EUR 15-20 + Internet EUR 25-30 + Mobile EUR 10 + Gas EUR 15-30
Average (2-bed, normal usage)
EUR 150-200/mo
Electricity EUR 60-80 + Water EUR 20-25 + Internet EUR 35-40 + Mobile EUR 15 + Gas EUR 20-40
Comfortable (AC in summer, heating in winter)
EUR 200-280/mo
Electricity EUR 80-120 + Water EUR 25-30 + Internet EUR 40-50 + Mobile EUR 20 + Gas EUR 30-50
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set up utilities without an NIE?
It is difficult. Most utility companies require an NIE (or at minimum a passport number) and a Spanish bank account for direct debit. Some landlords keep utilities in their name and include the cost in rent - this is common for short-term rentals. For your own contract, you need: NIE, rental contract, Spanish bank account, and the property's CUPS code.
How fast is internet in Valencia?
Very fast. Most of Valencia has fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) coverage offering 300-1000 Mbps symmetrical speeds. This is faster than most cities in the US, UK, or Australia. Latency to European servers is typically 10-30ms. For remote workers, Valencia's internet infrastructure is excellent.
What voltage does Spain use?
Spain uses 230V at 50Hz with Type F (Schuko) plugs - the standard two-round-pin European plug. If you are coming from the US, UK, or Australia, you will need plug adapters. Most modern electronics (laptops, phone chargers) handle 110-240V automatically, but check the label on older devices. Hair dryers and curling irons from the US may not work without a voltage converter.
Do I need to pay a deposit for utilities?
Electricity and gas contracts typically do not require a deposit - they run on direct debit. Internet providers may charge a router deposit (EUR 50-100, refunded when you return it). Water may require a small deposit depending on the municipality. The main upfront cost is the internet installation visit, which is usually free with a 12-month commitment.
Can I keep my home country phone number?
Yes. The easiest approach is to convert your home number to an eSIM or a cheap prepaid plan (many US carriers offer plans from $5-15/month to keep the number active). This lets you receive 2FA codes and calls from your bank. Then use a Spanish SIM as your primary number for daily life. Most modern phones support dual SIM or eSIM + physical SIM.