Lifestyle
Spain — Living: Utilities
Spain regulates two household utility prices: the PVPC electricity tariff and the maximum price of bottled butane. The PVPC is a voluntary price for small consumers that is fully indexed to the wholesale electricity market and so changes every hour; current hourly values are published on REE's ESIOS site, and you can alternatively choose a free-market retail offer. The government sets the maximum pre-tax price of bottled butane (12.5 kg cylinders) every two months by resolution in the BOE: from 15 September 2026 it is 123.4447 cents per kg before taxes, about €15.43 per 12.5 kg cylinder before taxes. Royal Decree-law 25/2026 also limits the maximum sale price of 12.5 kg butane cylinders on the mainland to €19.55 per cylinder until 30 June 2027. Water is billed by your municipal supplier.
Key facts
- The PVPC is the regulated voluntary tariff for small consumers, fully indexed to the wholesale electricity market and changing hourly; hourly prices are on REE's ESIOS site.
- Consumers can instead choose a free-market electricity offer from a retailer.
- From 15 September 2026, the maximum pre-tax price of bottled butane is 123.4447 cents per kg, about €15.43 for a 12.5 kg cylinder before taxes (revised every two months).
- Royal Decree-law 25/2026 caps the sale price of 12.5 kg butane cylinders on the mainland at €19.55 per cylinder until 30 June 2027.
Costs
- Butane cylinder 12.5 kg, maximum pre-tax price (from 15 Sep 2026): about €15.43
Common mistakes
- Assuming the butane price is fixed — it is revised every two months by BOE resolution.