If you have recently bought a property in Spain or are arranging an electricity contract for the first time, you may be asked for something called the CUPS number.
For many homeowners, especially those who have moved from abroad, this can be confusing. Unlike an account number or customer reference, the CUPS identifies the electricity supply point itself, not the person who pays the bill.
Although most people never pay attention to it until they need it, the CUPS is one of the most important pieces of information linked to your property’s electricity connection. Whether you want to switch supplier, change the contract holder or activate electricity in a newly purchased home, you will almost certainly be asked to provide it.
Fortunately, finding your CUPS number is usually straightforward once you know where to look.
What does CUPS stand for?
CUPS stands for Código Universal del Punto de Suministro, which translates as Universal Supply Point Code. It is a unique identification number assigned to every electricity supply point in Spain by the local electricity distributor.
You can think of it as the equivalent of a property’s fingerprint within the Spanish electricity network. While homeowners, tenants and electricity suppliers may change over time, the CUPS normally remains the same for the lifetime of the electrical connection.
Every home, apartment, commercial premises or industrial facility connected to the electricity grid has its own CUPS.
Why is the CUPS number important?
The CUPS allows electricity companies to identify the exact supply point connected to the national electricity network. Rather than identifying the customer, it identifies the physical installation receiving electricity.
Because of this, the CUPS is required whenever important changes are made to an electricity contract. For example, you may need it if you want to:
- Switch electricity supplier
- Change the contract holder after buying a property
- Modify your contracted power
- Reactivate an electricity supply that has been disconnected
- Request technical assistance from the distributor
- Install solar panels and register a self-consumption system
- Arrange certain administrative procedures related to your electricity connection
Without the correct CUPS, electricity companies cannot identify which installation the request refers to.
Where can I find my CUPS number?
The easiest place to find your CUPS is on your electricity bill. Most suppliers display it clearly within the contract details section, usually near information such as contract holder, supply address, contracted power. and electricity tariff details.
Although the layout varies slightly between suppliers, the CUPS is normally labelled as CUPS, Supply Point Code or Código CUPS. It is usually easy to recognise because it follows a standard format beginning with ES, followed by a combination of letters and numbers.
Why knowing your CUPS can save time
Many homeowners only search for their CUPS when they urgently need it. Having it readily available can make many administrative procedures much quicker, especially if you are:
- Purchasing a home in Spain
- Changing ownership after inheritance
- Renting out your property
- Installing solar panels
- Requesting changes to your electricity contract
Keeping a recent electricity bill stored digitally can help you access this information whenever needed.
Understanding your electricity contract beyond the CUPS
Although the CUPS is an essential identifier, it is only one part of your electricity contract. Many homeowners focus solely on finding this number without reviewing other important elements that may affect their monthly costs, including contracted power, electricity tariff, time-of-use pricing, standing charges, and actual energy consumption.
Understanding these elements together gives you a much clearer picture of how your electricity bill is calculated and where savings may be possible.
Frequently ask questions
Does the CUPS change when I buy a property?
One of the most common questions among new homeowners is whether the CUPS changes after purchasing a house. The answer is no. The CUPS belongs to the electricity supply point itself, not to the owner. If you buy an existing property, the electricity contract may be transferred into your name, but the CUPS remains exactly the same. Only in exceptional circumstances, such as creating an entirely new electricity connection, would a new CUPS be assigned.
What if I don’t have an electricity bill?
If you have recently purchased a property and do not yet have access to previous bills, there are still several ways to obtain the CUPS. Depending on your situation, you can ask the previous owner or tenant, contact your electricity supplier, contact the local electricity distributor responsible for your area, or request the information during the contract transfer process. In most cases, the distributor can identify the supply point using the property’s address and other ownership details.
Is the CUPS the same as my customer number?
No. This is another point that often causes confusion. Your customer number is created by your electricity supplier and identifies your contract with that company. If you decide to switch supplier, your customer number will usually change. The CUPS, however, remains linked to the property itself. For this reason, even if you change electricity companies several times over the years, your CUPS normally stays exactly the same.
Can two properties have the same CUPS?
No. Each electricity supply point has its own unique CUPS. Even apartments located within the same building each have an individual code because every property has its own electricity connection. This unique identification helps electricity distributors manage the national network accurately and ensures that billing, maintenance and technical operations are linked to the correct installation.
Is the CUPS only used for electricity?
Not always. Spain also uses CUPS codes for natural gas supply points. Although the system is very similar, electricity and gas connections each have their own independent CUPS. If your property has both electricity and natural gas, you will normally have two different supply point codes.
Do I need the CUPS to switch the electricity supplier?
Yes. When changing an electricity supplier, the new company needs the CUPS to identify your supply point and process the transfer correctly. The good news is that switching suppliers does not affect your electricity installation. Your distributor remains exactly the same, and there is no interruption to your electricity supply simply because you have chosen a different supplier. The CUPS ensures that the new supplier connects your contract to the correct property.
Conclusion
The CUPS number is one of the most important identifiers within the Spanish electricity system. Rather than identifying you as the customer, it identifies your property’s connection to the electricity network.
Although it may seem like just another reference number, you will need it for many common procedures, from changing supplier and transferring ownership to modifying your electricity contract or installing solar panels.
Knowing where to find your CUPS and understanding its purpose can make managing your electricity supply in Spain much simpler and help avoid unnecessary delays when arranging changes to your contract.
If you need help understanding your electricity contract, finding the right tariff or managing your electricity supply in Spain, Evergreen Eléctrica is here to help. Our team supports homeowners, expats and second-home owners with clear, personalised advice, making the Spanish electricity system easier to understand and your energy costs easier to optimise.
Josefina Carbonell EN
Josefina Carbonell is Head of Marketing and Communication at Evergreen Eléctrica, with almost 4 years of experience in the energy sector, specializing in turning complex concepts into clear and useful content, providing a comprehensive view of the business — from lead generation to after-sales service with a close, honest approach aimed at helping individuals and companies make informed decisions.
