No waffle – just what to do, in what order, and what it costs in real life.
This guide is part of our Moving to Jávea section, covering the practical setup steps most households deal with in the first week. For an overview of areas and listings across the town, see our main property in Jávea hub.
Because providers, infrastructure and setup steps vary by town, it helps to understand how Javea is laid out before starting the process.
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. Starlink is increasingly used in rural pockets around Jávea where fibre is limited.. 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.
See also: Long-Term Renting in Jávea • Cost of Living in Jávea • Internet in Jávea
