Lifestyle
Chile — Living: Utilities
Setting up utilities in Chile usually needs a RUT and Spanish; Enel (electricity) and Metrogas (gas) serve Santiago and renters often inherit accounts in the owner's name.
VerifiedProfessional tax guide — not a government sourceExpat.cl – Settling-in guide to ChileLast reviewed: 2026-10-26
Why this matters
Understanding Chilean utilities is crucial for planning living expenses and navigating the country's bureaucracy.
Key facts
- Almost everything needed to open utility accounts requires a RUT number, and most counters and call centres operate only in Spanish.
- Enel is a key electricity provider in Santiago; Metrogas and Electrogas are significant gas distributors.
- For rented units, utility accounts are almost always in the name of the owner or original developer, so tenants don't usually open a new account.
- Bills are issued monthly and can be paid via online banking, automatic bank transfers or at provider offices and authorised payment points.
- Cost estimates vary by source and are not given here.