Setting up electricity, gas, water and broadband internet abroad 2026: expat guide by country

The first few weeks in a new country often involve living off mobile data and candles while you wait for utilities to activate. This does not have to be your experience. Understanding the local setup sequence — and knowing which documents to prepare in advance — can cut the wait from four weeks to four days.

Why utilities are more complicated abroad

In your home country, setting up utilities is a phone call you make on Tuesday afternoon. Abroad, the process involves documents you may not yet have — a local tax number, a residence registration, a local bank account — each of which typically depends on something else. The result is a chicken-and-egg problem that frustrates most new arrivals.

The practical workaround: ask your landlord to keep utilities in their name for the first four to eight weeks while you gather your local documents. You pay them the actual bill amount. This is common practice in Spain, Portugal, France, and Thailand, and most landlords are happy to accommodate it.

Spain — utility setup

Spain’s main electricity providers are Endesa, Iberdrola, and Naturgy. Your landlord will give you a contract reference number called a CUPS (Código Universal del Punto de Suministro) — this is the meter identifier. To set up your own contract you need your NIE (tax identification number), your Spanish bank account IBAN, and your CUPS number. The online process with Endesa or Iberdrola typically takes 3 to 5 working days. Monthly bills run EUR 60 to 120 for an average apartment depending on usage and the tariff you choose.

Gas in Spain is supplied by Naturgy (Enagás network) or Repsol in some areas. Not all apartments have gas — many Spanish apartments use induction hobs and electric water heaters. If you have gas, the same CUPS and NIE approach applies.

Water in Spain is a municipal service administered by the local Ayuntamiento or a contracted company (Aguas de Barcelona, Canal de Isabel II in Madrid, etc.). Your landlord typically handles the transfer of the water account or registers you directly with the local water authority. Bring your lease, passport, and NIE.

Portugal — utility setup

EDP (Energias de Portugal) handles most of Portugal’s electricity distribution. MEO, NOS, and Vodafone dominate broadband and bundled utility packages. To set up electricity you need your NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal) and your Portuguese IBAN. The CPE number (equivalent to Spain’s CUPS) is on any previous electricity bill at the property — ask your landlord. EDP setup is available entirely online.

Portugal has liberalised its energy market, so you can choose your supplier for electricity and gas. EDP is the safe default; Galp and Endesa Portugal offer competitive rates. Comparison sites like Comparaja.pt are useful.

Germany — the Anmeldung first rule

In Germany, you cannot set up most utility contracts or bank accounts until you have completed your Anmeldung (address registration at the local Bürgeramt). This means the utility sequence in Germany is: find accommodation, complete Anmeldung within 14 days, receive your Meldebescheinigung (registration certificate), then set up utilities and bank account.

Electricity in Germany is deregulated. You choose your provider — Telekom, E.ON, RWE, Vattenfall, or many regional suppliers. Use Verivox or Check24 to compare rates. Your landlord provides the Zählernummer (meter number). If you do nothing, you inherit the existing supplier by default; switching is easy online.

Broadband in Germany can take 4 to 6 weeks if the building needs infrastructure upgrades. Telekom (T-Online) is the most reliable in cities; Vodafone and O2 are cheaper but coverage gaps exist outside major cities. Apply for broadband on the same day you complete your Anmeldung to start the clock.

France — utilities and the CAF connection

France has EDF (Électricité de France) as the dominant electricity provider, though Engie and smaller suppliers also operate. Your landlord provides the PDL number (Point de Livraison) — the meter reference. You need your French bank account RIB (relevé d’identité bancaire) for direct debit. EDF online setup is available in English and typically activates within 2 to 3 days.

French broadband providers: Orange, SFR, Free, and Bouygues Telecom. Free Mobile often offers the best price-to-speed ratio. Setup takes 1 to 3 weeks. During the wait, a mobile WiFi router from your phone operator provides adequate coverage.

An important French detail: if you receive housing benefit (APL from CAF), your benefit is calculated partially based on your rent and utility costs. Register with CAF as soon as you have your lease and French address — benefits can be backdated but the process takes 2 to 3 months.

UAE — DEWA and the activation process

In Dubai, all electricity and water is supplied by DEWA (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority). Activation is mandatory for all new residents and is done entirely online via dewa.gov.ae or the DEWA smart app. You need your Emirates ID (or a copy of your visa stamped in your passport), your tenancy contract registered with Ejari (the official tenancy registry), and your premises number from the landlord. A security deposit of AED 2,000 for apartments and AED 4,000 for villas is required and returned when you leave.

In Abu Dhabi, the equivalent authority is ADDC (Abu Dhabi Distribution Company). The process is similar. Activation typically takes 1 to 2 working days once your Ejari registration is complete.

Thailand — utilities in furnished apartments

Most furnished apartments in Thailand include utilities in the rent, particularly electricity and water. Where utilities are separate, your landlord typically manages the EGAT (electricity) and local water authority accounts and bills you directly. Direct expat utility accounts in Thailand are uncommon and complex to arrange without a work permit.

Internet in Thailand is fast and cheap. AIS, True Move H, and DTAC offer fibre packages from THB 499 to 799 per month (roughly GBP 11 to 18) with speeds of 100 to 500 Mbps. Installation typically takes 3 to 7 days. Most providers require a passport — some accept a tourist visa, others require a Non-Immigrant visa.

Voltage and plug compatibility abroad

Moving abroad means dealing with different electrical standards. Most modern laptops, phone chargers, and cameras auto-adapt to any voltage between 100 and 240 volts — check the label on the charger. Hair dryers, straighteners, and kitchen appliances are often single-voltage and will fail or burn out at the wrong voltage. A step-down or step-up transformer is the fix — or just replace the appliance locally.