No waffle – just what to do, in what order, and what it costs in real life.
0) Documents you’ll need for everything
- ID: NIE (or DNI) + passport
- Address proof: escritura (deeds) or alquiler (rental contract)
- Bank: IBAN for direct debit
- Meter data: last bill for CUPS (electric) or contract reference (water)
- Contact: Spanish mobile number and email
1) Electricity (alta/cambio de titular, tariff & potencia)
Decide action
- Cambio de titular (change holder): use if supply is active. Faster, cheaper.
- Alta (new activation): use if cut off; expect connection and “rights” fees.
Steps
- Gather docs + CUPS (on prior bill or meter label).
- Choose tariff: fixed (price/kWh set) or indexed (tracks market).
- Set potencia (kW). Typical bands:
- Flat with A/C: 4.6–5.75 kW
- Larger flat/townhouse: 5.75–6.9 kW
- Villa with pool & multiple A/Cs: 6.9–8.05 kW (or split loads smartly)
- Send photos of the meter and breaker panel if asked.
- Sign SEPA (direct debit). Activation on cambio: 24–72h. Alta: 3–7 working days.
Monthly reality
- Flats: 80–170 € (A/C spikes in Aug)
- Villas: 120–250 € (pool pump + more A/C)
Cut bills: right-size potencia, program A/C (26–27°C), run heavy loads off-peak, kill phantom loads.
Common snags
- Wrong potencia → breakers trip
- Estimated reads → send meter photo
- Dormant supply → may need electrician’s boletín
2) Water (municipal, holder change, leaks & pools)
What you do
- Change holder (owner or tenant).
- Provide ID, address proof, IBAN, meter photo (serial + reading).
- If meter sits inside, agree access.
- For villas: photograph irrigation controller and pool top-up point.
Typical monthly
- Flats: 18–35 €
- Villas: 25–60 € (gardens/pool top-ups push this)
Leak watch (week one)
- Night test: note meter at 23:00 and 07:00 with all taps off; movement = leak.
- Usual culprits: toilet cisterns, irrigation valves, pool auto-fill.
- If community water: learn the stopcock location and label it.
3) Gas (bottled vs mains) & appliances
Coastal norm: bottles (butane or propane).
- Set-up: one in use + one spare; regulator + rubber hose (replace per date stamp).
- Safety: bottles upright, ventilated store, no smoking by appliances.
- Boiler service: annual check; pilots sulk after summer.
- Mains gas: rarer; if present, treat like electricity (holder change + direct debit).
Monthly reality
- Cooking only: negligible
- Hot water/heating on gas: 20 – 45 € in cooler months (more for long showers/large households)
4) Internet: fibre, mobile & Starlink
Coverage
Fibre runs across Old Town, Port, Arenal and most urbanisations; a few pockets still use radio/4G routers.
Starlink option
For homes with weak fibre/radio coverage, Starlink has become a popular, stable alternative around Jávea. Recent local reports have been very good for speed and reliability (video calls, uploads, streaming). You’ll need a clear line of sight for the dish (roof/terrace mast) and to account for the hardware kit plus a monthly subscription.
Steps
- Check coverage for your exact address (fibre or satellite).
- Choose package (300–600 Mbps fibre is plenty; Starlink is plug-and-play once the dish is aligned).
- Book install or self-install (ID + IBAN).
- Router placement: central, high, away from thick stone walls; add a mesh node for villas. For Starlink, mount the dish clear of trees/roof edges.
Timings & money (typical)
- Fibre install: 3–10 days
- Fibre monthly: 25–40 €
- Mobile SIMs: 10–20 €/line (SIM-only, 20–40 GB)
- Starlink: hardware + monthly plan (budget both; shipping is usually quick)
Home-office tip: keep a prepaid 4G/5G dongle as fallback, even if you run fibre or Starlink.
5) Waste & recycling (habits that save fines)
- Household waste: use local bins; no liquids; close lids.
- Recycling: glass (green igloos), paper/card, lightweight packaging; quick rinse.
- Garden waste: follow the municipal rhythm; bundle/bag per rules.
- Bulky items: book collection; don’t leave them by bins.
- Beach/seasonal peaks: bins fill fast—carry out if full; fines happen for overflow piles.
Label one cupboard “Bags • gloves • tape • spare liners” – moving week survival kit.
6) First-week checklist
Meters & panels
- Photo electric meter (serial + reading)
- Photo water meter (serial + reading)
- Map your breaker panel and label rooms
- Test the RCD (big test button) and confirm it trips
Contracts & debits
- Submit cambio de titular for electricity and water (or alta if cut off)
- Sign SEPA for both
- Set calendar reminders: month-end meter reads + first bill checks
Safety & basics
- Replace dated gas hose/regulator; buy a spare bottle
- Find and label stopcocks (kitchen, bathroom, street)
- Book boiler and, if villa, pool pump service
- Create a storm plan: torch, power bank, surge protector for router/TV
Connectivity
- Order fibre or set up Starlink; ask for earliest install
- Place router sensibly; set a unique Wi-Fi password
- If you work from home, test a mobile hotspot backup
Money control
- Photograph first bills; compare kWh/m³ to your photos
- High electricity? Check potencia and off-peak usage
- High water? Re-run the overnight leak test
Typical monthly bands (sanity check)
| Type | Flat | Villa |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity | 80–170 | 120–250 |
| Water | 18–35 | 25–60 |
| Fibre | 25–40 | 25–40 |
| Gas (winter) | 10–45 | 15–60 |
(Your usage, insulation, A/C habits, pool and irrigation drive the swing.)
Troubleshooting quick hits
- Breakers popping: raise potencia one step or split heavy loads (oven + A/C + washer is the classic clash)
- Damp/condensation: vent bathrooms, run dehumidifier on rainy weeks, avoid drying clothes indoors without airflow
- Low water pressure upstairs: clean aerators, check pressure reducer, confirm meter/valve is fully open
- Ants in enclosures: keep sweets out of exterior cupboards; seal cable holes with a silicone bead
- “Estimated” bills: send a clear meter photo via the provider app/portal and request actualisation
Bottom line: do holder changes first, right-size potencia, photo every meter, and set direct debits. One organised week saves six months of avoidable headaches.
Last verified: 27 Sep 2025 (Europe/Madrid).
