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Spanish government announces raft of measures to combat rising electricity prices

The Council of Ministers this Tuesday approved a wide range of measures to help reduce the extortionate electricity bills that families in Spain have been facing in recent months.

Published: 14 September 2021 15:57 CEST

Spanish government announces raft of measures to combat rising electricity prices

Spanish third Deputy Prime Minister Teresa Ribera announced new measures to combat rising electricity bills. Photo: PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU / AFP

Among the government’s decisions are putting a cap on the price of gas, forcing electricity companies to sell part of the energy they generate at a fixed price, and the extension of tax cuts on electricity bills.

In Tuesday’s press conference, third deputy Prime Minister, Teresa Ribera, insisted that this “shock plan” will mean a reduction in electricity bills of 22 percent, and that if the measures already adopted are added – such as the reduction VAT and other taxes – the reduction in the electricity bill will reach 30 percent.

Special tax on electric power has also been dropped from 5.1 percent to 0.5 percent, as promised by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez during his interview with TVE on Monday.

The government hopes that these new plans will have an immediate impact on electricity bills.

In recent weeks, the increase in the price of electricity has generated significant tensions within the government coalition.

The PSOE had so far opted for tax cuts, while Unidos Podemos proposed the need to create a public company and limit the price of nuclear and hydroelectric energy, something that Ribera had rejected, with the argument that it would violate EU law.

After the announcement by Sánchez on TVE, the Minister of Social Rights and Secretary-General of Podemos, Ione Belarra, said “It’s the best news” that the PSOE “has accepted some proposals” from Podemos to “regulate the market and lower the price of electricity”.

“The government must protect the people against electricity companies that profit from the cost of a basic right,” he concluded.

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When and how you need to renew your padrón certificate in Spain

The padrón certificate is used to show proof of where you live. Your town hall – or ayuntamiento – uses it to find how many people are living in the area and what their ages are.

The number of people living in each area will depend on how much money they will receive from the government. They use this money for local services such as schools, health centres, parks and police officers.

If you are a non-EU citizen with temporary residence (less than 5 years) in Spain, then you will need to renew your padrón certificate every two years.

You will also need to renew your padrón each time you move house, as it should have your current address.

For some bureaucratic processes in Spain, you will also need to be able to show you have a padrón certificate that’s no older than three months.

Depending on where you live, there are different ways you can renew it. This could be in person, online or by post.

READ ALSO – Padrón: 16 things you should know about Spain’s town hall registration

Generally, in order to renew your certificate, you will need:

A recent gas, water or electricity bill in your name
Your rental contract and receipt of your last rental payment
If you own your own property, you will need to show evidence that you own it, such as the property deeds

You will also need to show:

A valid residence card such as TIE
A valid passport
In addition, it is also advisable to bring your previous padrón certificate

For children you will also need the following:

Records of your digitised family book (libro de família)
A valid passport or residence permit of the minor
A passport of one of the parents which also contains the identification data of the minor
Birth certificate of your child

If you do not live in the same household as your child, you will also need:

A delegation for registration form, signed by the parent who lives with the minor.
Photocopy of the valid identification document of the parent who lives with the child.
In the case of minors under 14 years of age, it will not be mandatory for them to have an NIE, passport or identification document from their country of origin.

Remember that all your documents should be officially translated into Spanish or another local language such as Catalan, if they aren’t already.

READ ALSO: Can I get my padrón online in Spain?

In person

If you are applying in person, you will need to make an appointment at your local Ayuntamiento or town hall.

When the date for your appointment arrives you will need to complete the renewal form, which will most like look something like this, but may change depending on where you live.

You will also need to bring originals and photocopies of all the documents above.

Online

If you have a digital certificate or Cl@ve PIN you are able to renew your padrón online. You will need to do this via your local government website.

First, you’ll need to identify yourself digitally with your digital certificate or Cl@ve PIN.

Next you will have to complete the renewal form and then attach digital copies of all the above documentation that’s required.

Then you’ll need to submit and sign it digitally.

By post

Although this is not the most common way to renew your certificate, some town halls may let you apply by post and will have details of the relevant address to send your documents and forms to online.

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