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Some of the first questions people ask me is: “What’s the catch?” or "How come your service is free?" It’s a fair question. If someone is offering to review your electricity or gas bill, compare tariffs, deal with the supplier, and help you switch providers, it’s natural to wonder how the service can be free. At Compare The Mercado, our service is free to the customer because we are paid by the energy supplier when a client switches through us. You do not pay us a fee, and th

Moving to Spain is exciting — sunshine, a better lifestyle, and a fresh start. But when it comes to utilities, especially electricity, many expats unknowingly make costly mistakes. At Compare The Mercado, we review hundreds of energy bills every month, and one thing is clear: most expats are overpaying without even realising it. If you’re new to Spain (or even if you’ve been here a while), here are the 5 biggest utility mistakes expats make — and how to avoid them. 1. Staying

If you’ve never had access to your online account with Iberdrola, you’re not the only one. In fact, this is one of the most common issues we see at Compare The Mercado. Many expats in Spain: Don’t know/were never given their login details Never received account access when they moved in Aren’t sure whose name the contract is in Have no idea what tariff they’re actually on And the result? It's almost a 100% certainty you're overpaying every single month - possibly without with

If you´ve seen headlines about Spain cutting electricity taxes, you´d be forgiven for thinking your bill is about to fall. The reality is a little more complicated — and it matters whether you´re on the right tariff. At Compare The Mercado, we review hundreds of Spanish electricity bills for expat homeowners every month. Here´s what these changes actually mean for what you pay. What´s Changed — and Why On 21 March 2026, the Spanish government announced a €5 billion emergency

Will electricity and gas prices rise again? At Compare The Mercado , this is something we constantly monitor. Global events can influence wholesale energy markets, which can eventually affect the tariffs available to households across Spain. Let’s break down what’s currently happening and what it could mean for your energy bill. Why Wars Affect Energy Prices Energy markets are global. Oil, gas, and electricity prices are heavily influenced by supply and demand. When wars or g

If you live in Spain and feel like your electricity bill keeps creeping up, the issue might not just be how much energy you use — but when you use it. At Compare The Mercado , one of the simplest ways we help expats reduce their electricity bills is by explaining how Spain’s peak and off-peak system works — and how small timing changes can create real savings without changing your lifestyle. Let’s break it down clearly. What Are Peak and Off-Peak Electricity Hours in Spain?

If you’re renting a property in Spain, you might assume you’re stuck with whatever electricity or gas provider your landlord chose. It’s one of the most common (and costly) myths we see. The truth is simple: if the energy contract is in your name, you legally have the right to switch providers — without your landlord’s permission. At Compare The Mercado , we regularly help tenants review their bills and change to cheaper tariffs, and many are surprised to learn they had full

If you live in Spain and feel confused every time you look at your electricity or gas bill, you’re not alone. One of the biggest reasons expats overpay is simply being on the wrong tariff — often without realising it. At Compare The Mercado, we regularly review bills where the supplier is fine, the meter is fine, but the tariff itself is completely unsuitable for how the home is used. In this guide, we’ll explain tariffs in Spain in plain English, so you can understand what y

Introduction Potencia in Spain is one of the most misunderstood parts of an electricity bill, especially for expats and international homeowners. Many people see it listed on their invoice every month without knowing what it actually means or how much it affects their costs. At Compare The Mercado , we regularly see households paying more than necessary simply because their potencia is set too high. Understanding how potencia works — and adjusting it correctly — can lead to l